We have been with out internet off and on for the past 10 days or so, therefore not much blogging. We have also been on the road travelling a lot and having crazy adventures. We have been super busy but loving it. We left Turkey last week and flew to Cairo, Egypt. We landed and were instantly hit by the hot desert air. We squished our entire team of 30 and bags into 2 minibuses which was hot, crammed and very funny at the same time. We headed into the Sinai desert for our 5-6 hour ride that resulted in an 8 hour experience of driving late into the night through the desert, getting stopped at every police check point along the way and paying money or convincing them to let our huge group through. It was definately a crazy experience and everyone had great and funny attitudes through it all. This is why I love travelling with this group of students. We finally pulled into the Bedouin camp at the base of Mt. Sinai at 1a.m. The bedouin men greeted us warmly to their tent with a fire and tea. We were instantly in love with this location. We all sat extremely exhausted but content until 2:30 in the morning drinking tea and lounging. We woke to the most amazing desert landscape and mountains around us. We hiked to the Monastary and then returned to the camp to rest for our night hike up Mt. Sinai that was to come. We set out at 6pm with our packs on our backs and dinners in hand. We stopped an hour into the hike to eat dinner at Moses's Rock and then contined to hike for 3 more hours. Naomi rode a camel that led the way! Hiking up Mt. Sinai at night lit by the moon and stars was absolutely surreal. We hiked the back way so we didn't see any one else the entire trip. Our bedouin guide took us the special route. The peacefullness of the night gave me time to reflect and think about Moses hiking the mountain to hear from God. I couldn't believe I was here! The hiking was strenous (although I got to sit on Naomi's camel for awhile) but I believe those few hours of heading up the dark mountain was one of my favorite moments of my life. I will never forget it. We all gathered at the top to make the final ascent up the 750 steps of repentance. EXHAUSTING, but with some stops along the way we did it! The kids went up every step on their own and we were SO proud of them. We arrived at the top and were so excited to see we were the only ones spending the night on the top that night. We picked our spots, set up our sleeping bags and had a great worship time. This once again will be a moment I will never forget. Worshipping and falling asleep exposed on the very top of Sinai. This sleep didn't last too long as we awoke to the sounds of tourists arriving at 4a.m. By 5a.m. we were all up and sitting squished towards the edge to await the beautiful sunrise. It was gorgeous. We lingered and enjoyed it long after all the other tourists had headed down. We then packed up and hiked a very difficult and hot hike back through amazing scenery. I was so proud of Jack and Naomi yet again. Most of us adults said it was the hardest hike we had ever done. We arrived back at camp exhausted, dirty, smelly, and hungry, but SO satisfied and amazed at God's creation and the story of God's people!
We spent one night on the Red Sea which was refreshing en route to Jordan. (Another trip that should be 2 hours but took about 7, this is turning into our theme. :) We camped in the middle of the Wadi Rum desert and then rode camels the next day for 5 hours deeper into the desert. This was hilarious to watch 30 camels trekking through the desert. What a dream come true, a crazy fun adventure! That night we slept literally in the middle of the desert with nothing but sleeping mats on the sand and some food they brought for us. We had class and worship and church the following morning in a cave. Once again we left the desert smelly, hungry, dusty, tired, sick of flies, and hot but feeling so grateful to experience God's glorious landscape and beauty!
We arrived in Petra yesterday and were SO happy to take a shower and have a nice meal and soft bed. AHHH! I realized that I hadn't slept on a real pillow in a long time as I have been using the pillow that we took from the plane. :) The best part of Petra was seeing my Mom and Dad. They arrived yesterday as well with their tour. Jack and Naomi were able to have some great grandma and grandpa time again today after touring Petra. They swam and had food and watched cartoons in their hotel bed (They were mesmerized with the Disney channel as they hadn't seen TV for 7 weeks) We go seperate ways tomorrow but we will see them again in a week back in Cairo. I am so thankful for seeing them! Ahhh it's the best!
Thank you SO much for all the prayers and encouragement we receive. We feel so blessed to be on this adventure and have felt covered in prayer and protection. We have seen God completely protect and pave the way for our group. We have made new friends in every country that feel divinely arranged! Through this seven weeks God has been so real and tangible to us. I can see Him working in my life and it's a priveledge to walk with this team and see Him shape and mold their hearts through these experiences.
We leave in two days for Israel and I know this will be life changing and monumental in all of our lives. Please keep us in your prayers as we travel.
Much love!
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