Bible Tours #5

At the beginning of this day i showed you the outside of a home in Amman.

Now I want to show you the inside of a home in Madabah

(which is where Ruth, the Great Grandmother of of David is from).

When we finished in Madabah, Ihmad (our driver this week) invited us to his families house. We were able to meet his mother and his two nephews and one neice. They gave us Jordanian coffee (yes I drank it) and Shy (which is Jordanian tea). We visited and I showed them pictures of my kids. The oldest boy invited Harvey to play a game on the computer with him (and of course the boy took over very quickly). The girl was very shy and had a difficult time even smiling for us. The home was very nice, decorated with flowers and paintings. Although we struggled to communicate, we had many laugh's together.

I tell you all this for a couple of reasons. It was a privilege to be invited into this home. This was a way for the driver to say welcome to us. Later he invited Harvey and Nancy for a bar-b-que. But the biggest thing I wanted to show was that despite differences in language, dress and culture, people, all over the world...are just people. It is a privilege to get to know them.

Bible Tour #4

I'm sorry to keep showing you very cool pictures with me in it. I am doing this for three reasons. The first is because, I'm so excited to be able to actually see the places where these Biblical events that I have been learning about, studying about and teaching about since I was 5.

The second is because in about 3 weeks I will think back to all that I've been able to see and I will say, "Did I really do that?" This pictures will say..."Yes, you did."

The third reason is because my wife threatened me if I didn't show my lovely face once in a while.

Bible Tours #3

After leaving the baptism site, we headed down toward the Dead Sea. Unfortunately we were unable to go all the way to it.

Less than 40 years ago, the sea would have come up to almost where I am standing as I take this picture. But the need for more and more water from the Jordan river has cause the sea to shrink. (If you look close you will see some sheep and goats in the ravine below).

Now we are on top of Mt. Nebo. The drive up here was beautiful, but it was easy to see why they called this the wilderness. Parts of the mountain were completely barren, while other parts might have a small grove of small trees. Even with that, just the thought of a 120 year old man walking up this mountain was incredible.

Moses had led the Isrealites into this valley from the south along the East side of the Dead Sea (your left). The Isrealites would have settled in this valley until Moses turned over the reigns to Joshua and then the 2 spies had returned from Jericho. I wonder, after Moses climbed Mt. Nebo, if he turned around to watch the people he had led from slavery and through the wilderness for 40 years finally enter into the land that God had promised them. Was he relieved? Was he sad that he wasn't going? Did he feel a since of accomplishment? Or was he just ready to see the God that he had followed all these years?

Bible Tour #2

After my hosts returned from class we began our journey to the Jordan River.

Doesn't this look like a great river?

Actually the river use to go through this area, but now days the river is not very strong so it has shrunk drastically. It use to be the size of the Mississppi (at times) and now it is just like a creek.

This spot is believed to be the site where Jesus was actually baptised. They have found multiple sets of ruins where church's once stood to commemorate the event. They also have ideas on where John the Baptist use to live.

This picture is of the actual Jordan River. There is so much history that has happened along these banks. Around this area is where the Isrealites crossed, on their way to defeat Jereicho, around here is where Jesus was baptised, close to hear is where Elijah ascended into heaven, at this point Jesus came across this river to get some rest and pray, Naaman washed in this river 7 times to be cured of leprosy....and it goes on and on. As I looked at river flow down to the Dead Sea, I could have easily mistaken it to be a creek in Missouri. But it isn't. Very significant and historical things have happened here. What makes this place special is what work God has done here.

Bible Tours #1

My hosts had class this morning so I was able to sleep a little later.

(I needed it because I stayed up until 2:30 a.m. watching my Fantasy Football scores).

After I got ready, I walked down to the main street to go to the Bank. I noticed the

beautiful architecture in this area. The place where we are staying is on the West side

of town and is full of very well educated, well employed people. Therefore they can

afford such houses as you see here.

Amman #4

Here is a highlight real...notice that the cook in the restaurant
is trying to act like the "Soup Nazi."