cairo, dahab, sinai, petra, nebo, jerusalem, and all that lies between

(sunrise on mount sinai)

I always figured that the desert would be a warm place, but this last week of travel has most certainly proved that idea wrong.

Early Tuesday morning, our group gathered together, packed into vans, and embarked on a small-scale journey out into the wilderness to one of the potential locations of Mt. Sinai (there are a few different places they think it may have been). We arrived at the base of the mountain at about 1:30 AM, and we had made it top by about 4:30 AM – just enough time to sit shivering in our sleeping bags until the sun came up at 6:30. I found it ironic that the name of the man who guided us up the mountain, translated to English, is Moses. It was weird to think of the real Moses, who stayed on top of (possibly) the same mountain, interacting with and knowing God in such a personal way.

It was so beautiful to watch the sun come from peaking behind the mountains. It was an amazing sight; my fingers were a bit numb, but I did my best to get a few pictures.

(on our way to the oasis)

After our trip to the top of Mount Sinai, our group once again arranged ourselves into a couple vans, and traveled to a different location in the desert, where we stayed with a group of Bedouins for a night. Basically, we arrived at the side of the road in the middle of the desert, and were greeted by a large group of Bedouins, young and old, all trying to communicate to us to get on their camels. It was quite hectic, but as a couple of the Bedouins spoke English, we soon understood and were able to be taken to the camp in a nearby oasis. Though our time with these people was short, it was such a new experience to stay with people who have only known a life that is almost completely different than mine. Though modern influence is certainly evident with the Bedouin tribes, it seems like their lifestyle may be fairly similar the lifestyle people may have had living in the desert during the Bible times – at least more similar to anything I have ever known.

(faraj, 11, guided my camel through the desert)

(in transit to jordan)

Thursday night we arrived in Petra, Jordan, where spent a couple days. We passed through mainly because it is near Mount Nebo, but Friday morning a few of us were able to go see the ancient city of Petra. Considered to be one of the seven ancient wonders of the world, it was an incredible sight.

(the ancient treasury at petra)

(mount nebo, looking into the promised land)

Later in the afternoon, our group traveled up north of Petra to Mt. Nebo, where Moses is believed to have died after seeing the Promised Land.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I told them I would give it to their descendants. I have now allowed you to see it, but you will not enter the land.” Deuteronomy 34:4 (New Living Translation)

Originally, it should have only taken 11 days for the Israelites to travel from Mount Sinai to Kadesh-barnea (Deuteronomy 1:2), but because they did not believe that God was able to bring them into the land he promised to give them (as they were intimidated by the people who were occupying the land,) that generation of Israelites was not able to see the land that God had promised them, save for Joshua and Caleb.

… “We arrived in the land you sent us to see, and it is indeed a magnificent country – a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is some of its fruit as proof. But the people living there are powerful, and their cities and towns are fortified and very large…” Numbers 13:27-28 (New Living Translation)

I often struggle to believe God for the promises and words he speaks to me. It is cool to see his promises in the Bible, and hear the words spoken through the Holy Spirit, but in actuality, a lot of times it’s hard for me to walk into the reality of these promises. Often overwhelming circumstances keep me from believing that God can truly bring me into the reality of his promises. But, if God is willing to speak to us his promises, surely he intends to bring us into the reality of those promises, if only we will choose to believe and have faith to walk in what he has said. We can be sure that the God who brought the entirety of creation into existence can overcome any sort of circumstances that would appear to stand in his way.

…”Everywhere you go, you will be on land I have given you…I command you – be strong and courageous!" Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:3, 9 (New Living Translation)

(via dolorosa, where Jesus walked to the cross)

(at the western wall)

Currently, we are in Jerusalem. We arrived just last night, and will be here for the next couple of weeks. I have gotten to look around a little bit this morning, and it is an amazing place, with a lot of meaning to many different groups of people. As we’re here, I look forward to learning more about different people’s perspectives on the current state of this land.

This week in class we will be learning about the heart of an artist. To me this sounds like a very interesting topic, so I look forward to sharing with you all what I learn this week.

I hope that this week you may all know and experience the reality of trusting in God for his promises, whatever that may look like in your life.