Ein Gedi

Ein Gedi

Dead Sea

Masada

Wilderness of Wandering

Day 5

We left Jerusalem today and drove south along the Dead Sea and then west to the wilderness area, Masada, and Mitzpe Ramon. Tonight we have checked into an exceptional hotel with chocolates on the pillows and a separate sitting area in our room … what was Pastor Aaron thinking!

Our first stop was Ein Gedi, the wilderness area where David hid from Saul. It is an amazing place. Lots of large mountains dotted with caves and various waterfalls along with Impalas, and a few other desert creatures I hadn’t seen before. You could see why David would have chosen this area for hiding. There was plenty of water because of the underground springs and also plenty of wilderness with caves for hiding. We did lots of hiking and got the most amazing views of the Dead Sea area.

I don’t think you go to Israel without a trip to the Dead Sea and some floating in the salt water for an amazing spa treatment that leaves your whole body silky smooth.

Much of today was a picture in contrasts of the great expanse of wilderness scorching heat,sun, and the desperate need for water. The beauty of the wilderness and the breathtaking canyons as you look out from the top of Masada and the earth’s largest crater at Mitzpe Ramon are contrasted with a complete lack of vegetation and water. It is this wilderness, around Mitzpe Ramon that the Israelites wandered for 40 years. It is no wonder that they grumbled to Moses and thought he had brought them out there to die!

Living water takes on a much richer meaning. Our lives are so barren without Jesus, who is Living Water.

And then we end the day in this luxury hotel in Be’er Sheva with chocolates on the pillow.

What a day of contrasts. This is the most amazing trip!!