The promised land is waiting for each of us

Today’s adventures certainly rivaled those of the day before, as we visited and explored The Wilderness of Zin. We started by hiking through the land, a Grand Canyon-like atmosphere. There had recently been a flash flood in the area, and we were amazed to discover that the land on which we were walking had been very deep under water just a few days before! However, just as Michael told us that the hike we were going to do was one of his favorites of the trip, we were told that it was closed due to residual flooding. That didn’t stop many of us, especially a woman named Kathy, from praying that God would open the way for us. Well, our prayers were answered, because just as we were about to leave, we got news that the trail was open and ready for us!

It was one of the most elaborate trails I’ve ever seen, and included a variety of stairs chiseled into the rock, as well as handles and ladders. While at the beginning of the morning we were surveying the cliffs from below, a few hours later we were looking down on them from above. It was a majestic view, and incredible to realize that this was the land Abraham was tasked with exploring thousands of years ago.

From there we drove a short ways to ride camels, an experience certainly unique to this land. It’s hard to describe the mix of delight and a little bit of terror involved in climbing on a camel, but everyone did with an eager heart. We were lead caravan-style in a small circle around the area, getting even more incredible views.

We ended the day at Ben Gurion, where Michael delivered a message on the importance of listening and following, even when the conditions seem impossible. As he spoke, we got to look out on the grandest view of the day, a birds eye perspective on the entire land we had just explored, and consider how Abraham must have felt as he put everything on the line to follow God. It was a powerful reminder that the promised land is waiting for each of us in our lives, we just need to have the courage to trust God and follow his leading.

Tomorrow we are moving on from the Negev and making our way toward Galilee, where we will stay for four nights. Talk to you then!