as always, our director and teachers are finding ways to maximize our time in the Holy Land. So not only did we drive down to Egypt, we also stopped at important sites on our path. First stop: Tel Be'er Sheva, one of the homes of Abraham and the sourthen most tip of the ancient Israelite kingdom. We were required to wear hardhats, which made the visit seem very adventurous and dangerous. It's wasn't, but at least it made us feel that way. All that has been unearthed of the city (most of the remnants are from Solomonic times) are walls that reveal the basic plan of the city and it's gates. As we walked into a portion of the city, they talked to us abo
ut the gate system of ancient cities. Each gate was placed in a significant configuration to make entry as difficult as possible for invaders. We also had the opportunity to go into their aqueduct and see how they saved their most vital resource. Bossman then related the experience to the Lord's teachings. He used both these images to communicate that he is the protectorate of His people defending us as a gate in the city. He is the life that carries us onward and upward day to day, the essential source of renewal and happiness in our lives.
Second stop was Wilderness of Zin overlook. Essentially the grand canyon of Israel, I was overwhelm
ed with awe as we peeked over the edge at a vast and beautiful wasteland. My heart suddenly hurt as I realized: this is where the children of Israel wandered. And suddenly I knew them, I knew their tired and heavy hearts, I understood why they murmured, why they couldn't look up, why they couldn't seem to remember Him as they should. Nothing green met my eyes for miles except for a small
wadi snaking below deep in the valley. It seemed so beautifully tragic, a forgotten land. No wonder they felt they were a
forgotten people. Although my heart was filled with sympathy for them as their wanderings came alive to me, I also realized that just as the Children of Israel, we too travel through the wilderness of life. We become tired and heavy, feeling like we are forsaken in a wasteland. But all it takes is a simple look up-the faith to see Him there, even in the desert. He is there. Always.
Last stop was Avdat, essentially a trading post and rest stop for the
Nabataeans. The sky was the perfect shade of blue and the ruins the perfect juxtaposition against it. We were the only group there and allowed to just run loose and explore the place. So cool. SOOO cool.
We ended the day with a tour of a
Kibbutz, an amazing dinner, fits of laughter, and sleep. good day.
More to come,
m
the girls in our hardhats
overlook at Tel Be'er Sheva
roommates at Zin overlook
Zin Wilderness
me at beautiful Avdat
For lack of time, I'm leaving the story of my first day in luxor be told by my pictures and brief captions. I have way too much to do to be blogging.
the doorway. yuck. but... when would I ever get to go INSIDE a pyramid again. So in I went. downupdownleveluplevel. step after step. I made it. The tomb had been raided thousands of years ago, but it was still amazing nonetheless. leveldownlevelupdownup. I made it. air.
hen on to the sphinx. It was also awesome. Also unreal. Off to the step pyramid of Zoser and his temple complex. I got my first glimpse of authentic hieroglyphs. They were so beautiful. I feel like I just keep describing everything the same way, but I can't help myself. There is no other way to describe it but amazing and
beautiful. And my brain is too busy to think of any other way to say it. You just had to be there I guess.
the next day was spent mostly in the bus, driving long hours, chatting, thinking, listening, and sleeping. But before all of that, we had to make it through the border. I've never seen more serious and intimidating people in my life. I felt like if I smiled they wouldn't let me through. Luckily we all made it even in good time. Several hours later after passing through virtually nothing but desert, we made it into Cairo. I never knew the bus could maneuver like that. You know you are in a different world when buses carrying 45 people are on the same freeway as donkey carts. Egypt reminded me so much of the Philippines. I loved just soaking it all up. Just when I thought I couldn't take anything more in, our professor casually said over the mic "if you look to your right, some of you will get your first 
glimpse of the pyramids" we were like kids running to the ice cream truck. Everyone screamed cheered, and ran to one side of the bus to see the grand pyramids in the distance. Although I was disappointed they were so close to the city, it really was an amazing site to see them. Literally unreal. The night ended with a check in at our nice hotel, a quick dinner, and the light and sound show at the pyramids. We were giddy, jumpy up and down, giggling with delight as we watched the "history" of the pyramids.
as always, our director and teachers are finding ways to maximize our time in the Holy Land. So not only did we drive down to Egypt, we also stopped at important sites on our path. First stop: Tel Be'er Sheva, one of the homes of Abraham and the sourthen most tip of the ancient Israelite kingdom. We were required to wear hardhats, which made the visit seem very adventurous and dangerous. It's wasn't, but at least it made us feel that way. All that has been unearthed of the city (most of the remnants are from Solomonic times) are walls that reveal the basic plan of the city and it's gates. As we walked into a portion of the city, they talked to us abo
ut the gate system of ancient cities. Each gate was placed in a significant configuration to make entry as difficult as possible for invaders. We also had the opportunity to go into their aqueduct and see how they saved their most vital resource. Bossman then related the experience to the Lord's teachings. He used both these images to communicate that he is the protectorate of His people defending us as a gate in the city. He is the life that carries us onward and upward day to day, the essential source of renewal and happiness in our lives.
ed with awe as we peeked over the edge at a vast and beautiful wasteland. My heart suddenly hurt as I realized: this is where the children of Israel wandered. And suddenly I knew them, I knew their tired and heavy hearts, I understood why they murmured, why they couldn't look up, why they couldn't seem to remember Him as they should. Nothing green met my eyes for miles except for a small wadi snaking below deep in the valley. It seemed so beautifully tragic, a forgotten land. No wonder they felt they were a 
forgotten people. Although my heart was filled with sympathy for them as their wanderings came alive to me, I also realized that just as the Children of Israel, we too travel through the wilderness of life. We become tired and heavy, feeling like we are forsaken in a wasteland. But all it takes is a simple look up-the faith to see Him there, even in the desert. He is there. Always.
