Day 03 - Negev: Ein Gedi, Qumran, Lower Jordan, Shabbat Dinner

Day 3. Our neighborhood in Michigan, supports a three point buck which wanders through our backyards at will. I thought of him today as I scanned the cliffs of the Ein Gedi in hope of spotting a Nubian Ibex. It turns out an Ibex is nothing at all like a Michigan deer. It is more like a Bighorn Sheep (which is never seen in Michigan). Ein Gedi is a lovely oasis in the Judaean Desert near the Dead Sea. We descended our bus to see an unlikely contrast of lush green trees amongst sienna colored cliffs, pocked with caves. Our guide told us about young David, hiding from King Saul in the area caves, and it is easy to see why that was probably a good idea - lots of possible hiding places. It is also possible to visualize David, that slayer of giants, having reflective moments beside any one of the modest waterfalls, and composing a psalm, “…He leads me beside the still waters, He refreshes my soul…’'

There are some serious hikers in our group, and they braved steep rock climbing to be rewarded with the sight of larger, higher waterfalls. Those of us who were content with what we had already seen stayed behind to rest, reflect, and have an ice coffee (it IS an oasis, after all!). And, as luck would have it, all of us witnessed the arrival of a herd of Ibex, grazing the scrubby brush and even standing on their hind legs to reach leaves on trees.

We boarded the bus and headed on to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by a young Bedouin boy throwing rocks in a cave. Little did he know the sound of pottery breaking would turn out to be so important. We learned all about the Essenes, a mystic Jewish sect who lived meagerly and carefully copied scriptures, stories, and books of the Old Testament. When threatened by Roman invasion, the Essenes hid their life's work in the surrounding caves where they remained undiscovered, for two thousand years. Qumran gives us evidence of the spartan existence of the Essenes. It is fascinating to view the remains of small stone rooms and many basins for ritual cleansing. It is especially meaningful when we look up to the vast mountain range with many cave-like openings, and wonder, “What else could be sealed in those rocks?”

After a perfectly wonderful picnic we boarded the bus for the long ride to our next destination, the Sea of Galilee. The time went quickly as our guide filled us in on the most recent history of the West Bank and surrounding area. It is only Day Three and I think it is safe to say we all know TONS more than we ever thought we would learn. Our time change challenges are behind us and we are looking forward to all the adventures ahead. This evening turned out to be one of those unexpected gifts that often happen when like-minded people are together. Our three pastors made the offer to baptize or allow one to reclaim their baptism in the Sea of Galilee and twelve people accepted. Picture us all gathered at the edge of the Sea as our pastors beckoned those who wished a baptism to join them in the water. Dusk settled in soft pink colors as one by one, our friends recommitted themselves and their lives to our Lord. Those of us on the shore felt joy to participate and quietly reflect on our own baptisms. “…Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Marcie