High Five

Today was a long day of travel via bus, but as tired as I am I couldn’t resist sharing some highlights from our day. Tomorrow will be an adventure too as we journey to Petra to take in the rock-hewn tombs, temple and treasury. If you have seen Indian Jones and the Last Crusade and remember where Indy finds the Holy Grail, you have seen images of Petra. We will be there tomorrow and don’t worry there will be pictures! However, since it is a bit of a hike (two miles to trek in and out) tonight’s blog will just be snippets from our day today. .. Five Highlights…in no particular order…

1. We are in Jordon! We have safely and success

fully crossed over into the country of Jordon. This is an interesting endeavor since security is high at border crossings. Our gracious driver offered to drive us across the bridge to Jordon. However, because of security the Israeli bus could only be at customs for a certain amount of time, otherwise he would be seriously delayed. What does this mean? The bus driver saved us time driving us across and in order for us to spare him being delayed before traveling back (all buses must be checked if they sit at customs for a certain amount of time) back we needed to get off the bus… fast. How long does it take 34 people plus all of their luggage to unload a charter bus? About three minutes. Tonight we rest easy in a high class hotel (five stars!) and begin our experience of Jordon.

2. The number five came up earlier today as well. We had a five dollar lunch. No, not a foot-long but chicken wrapped in Beduwin bread and served with smooth mashed potatoes, French fries, pickled beets, fresh cucumbers and lemon. The meal was much more than most of us could eat and at $5, delivered to our bus at the top of Mount Nebo you couldn’t ask anything more.

3. After lunch we moved

into another high point of our day, literally. Today we read from Deuteronomy (Deut 32:49-52, 34:1-12) at the top of Mt. Nebo where Moses took in the Promised Land before he died. From the top we could see the city of Jericho, over 6,000 years old, as well as waters of Dead Sea.

4. Today we had a chance to

see high art in the making. After Mt. Nebo we visited a mosaic art center which provides work opportunities for those with disabilities. The mosaics were gorgeous ranging from small pieces the size of your hand to expansive wall designs. I was invited to glue a few stones in place myself!

5. Tonight Barbara spoke this simple truth “God calls us into community.” This has been an ongoing high point on this trip. I see again and again examples of community within this group of people. From persons assisting others with luggage, to taking turns snapping pictures (serious or silly

) of each other, to deeply listening to each other’s varied experiences, there is an intentionality here, a special type of togetherness. Where does this come from? Is it because we are in the Holy Land? Is it because we know that each of us hopes for something along this journey. Is it because of the faith we share? One person in our group described it as a “super discipleship” and we all laughed, together. Whatever you call it, it is a gift from God and a highpoint of my day and I feel it will continue to be in the days ahead.