Riding, Walking, and Floating!

Today began with a sojourn through the desert, as we followed the footsteps of Moses and the Israelites. We ate of the salty herb described in Genesis, and came across a spring of water flowing down from the rock. We relived the story of Moses tapping a rock with his staff as water gushed freely from within. Then, we climbed and climbed and climbed to the top.

We also rode camels today, where I learned that camel riding is not like horseback riding.

Under the tent in the Desert of Zin, we ate baclava and drank coffee and soaked in the stories of hospitality spread throughout scripture.

But, perhaps the most awe inspiring part of today was the Dead Sea, referred to by locals as the Salt Sea. It’s hard to explain the feeling of floating in the dead sea, but in an effort to try, I’ll simply say that the buoyancy is so great it’s nearly impossible to stand; the salt forces your legs up as if urging you to lean back and take a rest. It also burns; the salt and minerals tingling throughout your body as you float.

The most amazing part of all of this is the fact that we are walking where God’s people walked, looking down into the wells that refreshed Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and looking out across the deserts that inspired David’s Psalms. There is still much more to come, so I rest in preparation for all that tomorrow will bring.

Written by Ashley Serin

Fantastic, that’s what today was. When we were in the desert I thought it was so interesting because it was extremely beautiful, normally when I think of desert I think of a barren wasteland with nothing, just sand forever. But when we hiked the Wilderness of Zen it was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen, the stone looked like it was hand crafted, and as we hiked I was in continuous awe of God’s creation. But what was amazing to witness as well was seeing the place where God talked to the Israelites and seeing the bible come alive!

When we got to the camel ride I was so excited because I had never ridden a camel, and let me tell you those camels were crazy…but in a good way! It was fun for all of us because we got to ride them together and experience the uniqueness of the creatures as we walk through the desert on their backs, it is no wonder why we see so many people in movie riding camels, because that was so much fun!

The weirdest part of the day was the Dead Sea. I am not very good at floating in water and I thought for sure I still wouldn’t be able to do it in the Dead Sea either, but sure enough I put my feet up and I was floating, and then I looked around and everyone else was floating! Then we put all this mud on to make our skin look better, and I think we succeeded

I had been without my luggage since we got here because the airline lost it. But thankfully as we got back to the hotel today my luggage has arrived!

Everyone who is on this trip has been so kind lending me clothes since I didn’t have any but I am excited to wear my own hiking boots, can’t wait for tomorrow!! The Lord is teaching me so much here…

Written by Cliff Woodward

Today was remarkable on a number of levels. First, we are really beginning to bond as a group of friends and brothers and sisters in Christ.

Further, our tour guide Ronen, along with Pastor Matt Bach, shared some great teaching with us. The story that stuck with me was about the prophet Elijah who is described in 1 Kings 19:5 as having laid under a broom tree to rest as he journeyed through the wilderness. We felt the wet, cool branches of this tree and it provided true context and authenticity. He was convinced he may die and asked the Lord to take his life. God was faithful and sent angels to minister to Elijah — he was reminded that God would sustain him. I found myself repeating this phrase over and over on the steep hike out of the same area ("Thank you God, You sustain me”).He did and He does!

We did so many other things, but wrapped up the day with a float on the Dead Sea. It was otherworldly to be honest with you; floating in a body of water with such a high level of salinity is relaxing and peculiar. Yes, it is the lowest point on earth, but it was the highlight of our day in my opinion.

Written by Jen Oliver