In the country of Jordan in the Middle East, culture is very different from the 4 European countries we had been in. Its culture is really dedicated to their islamic faith. We learned that in Jordan it isn’t illegal to be Christian, but evangelism is illegal and could have caused us to be deported from the country or arrested.
(Madison in the pic below introducing herself to some muslim girls during our tour)
Even though it was a culture shock, I loved seeing a blended culture. They were very friendly and welcoming. We would pass by a local and they would say “Welcome to Jordan.” That made my heart fill with joy!!
We arrived at night in the capital of Amman, Jordan where we stayed in a hostel. The next morning, the hostel owner offered us a free tour guide around the city, so we got a group of us together and explored the city. The city of Amman was so beautiful.
(Our tour guy educating us on the different foods in Jordan)
(Roman Theater built in the 2nd century AD during the reign of Antoninus Pius (AD 138–61)
(Overview of the city Jordan)
After the tour, the owner let us know that they also provide a day trip to famous sites including Mount Nebo (where Moses looked out at the promised land), the Jordan River and the site where Jesus was baptized, as well as the Dead Sea; but there was a fee for those tours. The next day was our adventure day, so our group booked this tour. I started to feel bad because I knew I didn’t have the funds for it, and I would be the only one staying back. So I was preparing to stay back, but that night I got out of the shower and there was an envelope laying on my bed. It said “Merry Christmas.” I opened it, and it was a note from some of my team saying “We want you to be blessed and go with us on the tour. Also, here is some extra money for souvenirs for your family.” God provided, and my heart was filled with so much gratitude and appreciation. God blew my mind.
We headed to Mount Nebo (Memorial of Moses). Mount Nebo is significant because of its role in the Old Testament. The Bible says that Mount Nebo was where Moses lived out his final days and saw the promised land, which he would never enter. It is said that Moses’ body may be buried there; although, that has yet to be proven. (Deuteronomy 34:1-4) Getting to step foot on Mount Nebo was so surreal. I just imagined being Moses and looking out at the promised land.
(The Serpentine Cross, photo credit by Hannah)
( Memorial Stone)
(Maybe this is what Moses saw)
(Taking selfies as we wait on our group, Bailee, Reynaldo, Me, Kaitlynn, and Katie)
The next stop was the Jordan River and the site where Jesus was baptized. The site was very beautiful. We came to the river by the border with Israel, and we got a chance to play in the water there. Then we came to the site where Jesus was baptized. All I could do was think about the story and take it all in.
(about to enter the Jordan river site, but first a pic)
(Just across the river is Israel’s border)
(team photo)
(Bailee and I taking a selfie)
(Baptism site where Jesus got baptized)
The final stop was the Dead Sea, where you can float and not sink because of the salt. I only got my legs in the water. The salt was burning my legs. I was able to take photos of my friends in the water. It was very beautiful, and I got a chance to take a beautiful shot of the sunset. Once we left the Dead Sea, we headed back to our Air BnB’s with our teams.
(group pic at the dead sea)
( salted rocks, from the dead sea)
(far view of the dead sea)
(Pic of the dead sea at sunset, pic took by me!)
After that, we began ministry. We only had one week left with this team, Empowered Servants, after 3 months of being together. Then we knew we would do team changes… just as I was getting comfortable and getting to know everyone. During this week was ATL, which basically means Ask the Lord. During ATL, we don’t have a ministry host. We came together, prayed, and asked the Lord what He wanted to do. He called us to prayer walk in the location we were at. We were also able to minister to our squad by making them Christmas cards, since Christmas was right around the corner.
(Christmas cards I designed with words of encouragement inside for the squad)
For mini debrief we went to Wadi Rum. It’s basically a big desert, with Bedouin men who live in and around the desert hosting tourists. We got to our campsite, and I was so uncomfortable. There was red sand and dirt in my shoes, and it was so COLD. I was also feeling homesick, missing my family on Christmas. There wasn’t any wifi to call them. I started to go into isolation. I didn’t really want to be around anybody. I just wanted my family. But basically the Lord reminded me that I’m blessed to even be on this journey. Afterwards, I started to have gratitude; and those things begin to break off. Our squad fellowshipped, worshipped, prayed for each other, and had a mini Christmas. Then, we did team changes. My nerves were rattled. We played a game to find our new team leader and new teammates. We finally found our new teams, and our team was 404. 404 is the error code for when a webpage is not found. We compared it to the Bible story about the one lost sheep. He leaves the 99 to find the one; and that’s what we wanted to model, going after that lost one so that they can come into the Kingdom of God.
(Riding to our campsite in a jeep truck, Katie, Bailee, Renee, Me)
(we got a quick tour before we got to our campsite)
(Our campsite)
(The place we would meet up for debrief, fellowship, worship and bible study)
(Our mini Christmas)
We finally left Wadi. We got a chance to go to Petra next, one of the wonders of the world. It was very beautiful. There was a lot of walking and climbing. This man was trying to sell bracelets to people to provide for his family. A lot of people were walking away or ignoring him. He came to me, and I looked him in the eyes. I asked him his name. He said “Solomon.” I told him that name is in the Bible, and I asked him if I could pray for him. I started to pray for him. The Holy Spirit led me to pray for his salvation and for him to know God. I also prayed for his family and that God would provide for them. His demeanor changed, and he wanted to give me the bracelet for free. He said “Thank you so much for praying.” I told him he was welcome and Jesus loves him. The spirit led me to give to him. I know a seed was planted that day; and if that was the only reason I got to go to Petra, just to intercede for that man’s soul, so be it. I would do it all over again!!
(group photo)
(going to explore Petra)
We finally left Petra and headed to our Air BnB with our new teams. We found out that for the next two weeks we would be partnered up with a church that helps Iraqi refugees. One of our squad-mates went walking and stumbled upon this church. The church makes merchandise like handmade purses, jewelry, mosaic art, and wood keychains. I got the opportunity to help with making the wooden mosaic art. It was right up my ally. I love art. The two weeks went by super fast, and we were off to our next country, Turkey.
(New Team: meet 404)
(Marka Church)
(Helping with Mosaic art)
