Feb. 10 Wilderness Wanderings...

Today was not a "tour" day, it was an experience.  After another full spread breakfast we boarded our bus and continued our journey south through the Negev to the Wilderness of Zin.  During our bus ride we drove past many Bedouin settlements.  We learned a little about them from Gila and found out that our wilderness guide, Yacova, was an expert on the Bedouin people.
Arriving at the Wilderness of Zin park near the Ben Gurion tomb, we rounded the corner and the sight was breath taking.  The many shades, colors, shadows, and the light were a tribute to the infinite pallet and handiwork of God.  This is where the children of Israel spent time wandering during their forty years.  We boarded our 4x4 vehicles and set out for a truly amazing experience.  I could not help but wonder as we drove to our destination how desolate and horrible it must have felt to be there for more than forty years.  The sad thing is that the children of Israel chose to do it rather than enter into God's blessing.  How often are we enamored by the beauty of the wilderness without thinking of the terrible consequences that it brings: heat, no water, continual wandering, no shade, danger from wild beasts, and danger from other dessert peoples.  How foolish we are to be drawn away by the "beauty and awe" of our own way only too late to find that it has taken us into the wilderness for longer than we ever intended.
We had the opportunity to visit one of the springs that are present in that wilderness.  The pictures will show a spring bubbling up from a rock and then a water hole that is also fed from the underground water source that is present there.  It was a short hike that was filled with interesting cuts and paths that the water had worn into the rocks for many years.
We got back into our 4x4's and then headed toward an oasis filled with date palms and Euphrates poplars.  We sat and talked about Abraham and how he had spent time in this area and also about the choices of the children of Israel.  After taking time to meditate and spend some time with the Lord, we went back to the parking area and had a "manna" lunch.  There was plenty of bread, cheese, tuna, veggies, crackers and chocolate, and coffee (STRONG coffee!).  We sat at lunch and talked with Jacova about the Bedouin people including some of their customs, laws, and family life.  We look at them and ask the question, "How could you ever want to live in a tent?!"  Yet they look at us and ask a similar question, "How could you ever want to live behind walls? How boring!"
We made our trip back to the bus after over four hours in the Wilderness of Zin.  It is amazing to think that forty years could be spent there!  We continued south toward Eilat, but made a short stop to take pictures of an unusual phenomenon called Mahtesh Ramon.  Only found in Israel, this is a naturally occurring crater caused by errosion.  The photos do no justice to its beauty.  We drove through a small portion and were again stunned by light, shadow, and color.  (just a helpful note, the pictures after our lunch are Mahtesh Ramon)
Our next sight was seen from the bus.  We headed east and then south on highway 90 and paralleled the Mountains of Edom boardering Jordan.  This was the home of Jacob's brother Esau.  They are a sight to see.
We finally arrrived at our hotel in Eilat at around 6:30PM (11:30AM IN time).  We have settled in for a good night's rest and will get an hour extra in the morning.  Tomorrow we will visit the Red Sea Underwater Observatory and then make our crossing into the country of Jordan on our way to Petra.
We will post more tomorrow!  Hope you are planning to come with us on the next trip; the pictures truly do no justice to seeing, feeling, and having God speak to your own heart in the Holy Land.