Today was our day to experience the "Negev" - which is the southern end of Israel, and where the area is mostly a desert region. So, here you go!
TEL SHEEVA (Tel means 'mound')
This was coming up to the hill where the old settlement was located up top. This city is one of the places that Abraham would have inhabited. It is hard to put into words how he, his family, his animals, and all others who followed him would have literally FILLED the landscape around this place.
Each of the places we stop, we usually spend some time in the Word to help us know exactly how it associates with the place we are - but sometimes just to be reminded of some really powerful truths that we should be reminded of in those stories. One of the coolest parts of our trip will be that every one on it will be sharing a particular scripture passage that has been impactful in their life as we visit those places - heard two amazing ones today! Here is our time studying Abraham before heading up the hill.
Many of you asked - this is Daniel Teerman, our guide and spiritual leader for this trip.
A deep well believed to be referenced in Genesis about why the place was named Beer Sheeba.
Get a little bit of an idea of what this old city would have looked like.
Literally 100 feet down, is the cistern that was built to hold the water. The women of that day would head up and down the steps to get the water for their families and animals.
This is located at the bottom of the steps - down into caves used to store the water.
An inside the caves/cistern view - probably 25 feet high and would have been filled to the top.
Couldn't pass up the opportunity to snap a picture of some camels! Actually a very common site today.
Here is our Faith Church group - just to prove we all made it :) Love these people!
EN ADVAT (en means 'spring of water')
View of the beautiful canyon area we were about to hike! The stream that ran through this valley supplied the water to the city of Advat.
Ground level view of what we were undertaking - glad we trained :)
Some really good reminders that God makes all things beautiful - this place was so beautiful and stirring to walk through and be reminded of that truth!
...along the trail...
...the water and the view...
The crew starting to head up the side of the canyon....we climbed ALOT of steps like these to get to the top.
view from the top of the above mentioned steps...
Approaching a random cluster of trees - to provide some much needed shade (it was about 100 degrees while hiking this canyton), and also to....
Spend some time in God's Word - pretty beautiful setting. We actually talked about reading all of Psalm 119 just so we could stay longer :)
about 1/2 way up - the trees down to the left is where we had just met.
Our mighty crew climbing the stairs
3/4 of the way up....
When we reached the top, we found these mountain deer prancing along the cliff! Reminded, in a powerful way, of David declaring in Psalm 18:33 to 'give me the surefootedness of the dear in the mountains'. Amen!
TEL ADVAT
The city is up at the top, we were about to climb it.
Some Roman architecture
Caves they would have stored and lived in
view of some dwelling places.
Now - many pictures of the ruins...
...ruins...
...ruins (and Anita and Bryce!)
literally what the landscape looked like for 180 degrees.
what the eventual Christian church was built like
above Christian church.
....ruins....
Gives you an idea of how thick the walls were (nothing compared yet to Jericho and Jerusalem - but still impressive)
Walls from afar on our way back down.
MIZPEH RAMON
Literally called the "Super Bowl' in Israel, it is a formation very similar to the Grand Canyon - the picture doesn't do it any justice.
Such as awesome day. So glad we get to experience some of these desert and Old Testament locations to be reminded of just how deeply people needed to rely on God for their sustainment.
Lastly, here is a picture of the 26 of us! Great group of people that it has been fun getting to know them, their stories, and their hearts!
The picture are great! Can't imagine what it must be like actually being there! Always praying for you guys!
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