Well of Sweet Water

It was on the agenda this morning to get up and travel to Masada, but got had something different plan. That he felt like we were supposed to sleep in. Of course I was awake before sunrise, out watching and blogging. We’ve been traveling for about an hour now down the eastern side Israel. Looking across the Dead Sea at Jordan. Usually we stay to the outermost road, and just drive by all the Palestinian settlements, but there was an unusual occurrence for us today. Many on the trip has been in Jericho over 20 years ago… but not since. To put this in perspective… my sister was 13 and that was the last time daddy has been in Jericho was when he brought her. Mari said she remembers this place. There was nothing. Now there’s up full city, complete with a high-rise hotel. We stopped by a little oasis that was directly beside the ancient ruins of Jericho. We went inside and to do some shopping. So many of us wanted a piece of Jericho to take home. There is a glass and pottery factory here; they produce the most beautiful vessels. The store clerk walked around banging them together saying they won’t break. Apparently they have silver in them. (And James says I couldn’t help but think they also said the walls of Jericho couldn’t fall.)

 

Once we were finished with “coffee outs” and cold beverages. We stepped outside. Pastor Joe really wanted to ride the cable car up to the monastery. So, a couple of us brave pilgrims headed toward the station. Pastor Jerry tried to come that but he wanted to know where the inspection sticker and who the inspector was. (James said the inspection sticker he saw said, “Never…” About half of us thought it was worth a try.  I must say I was a little apprehensive. A Palestinian man at the station saw my nervous look and said in very good English, “No worries! It was made in Austria, not made in China. Lol. That didn’t keep the cars from swaying in the wind. And every time we hit one of the towers that were helping hold up the cable, it would jolt whole car.  Of course, Mr. Fish didn’t help… sitting over there wiggling every once in a while!

 

One of the things that was shocking to us as we flew over the ruins of old Jericho, was the size didn’t seem to match up with the story. Doug and James are convinced they haven’t found it all yet.

We reached the top of this amazing view of the valley.  We were overlooking Jericho and the beginning of the Dead Sea.  Part of the side of this cliff had caves that were converted into restaurants and shops. We each got a cold drink and took in the view. For Mari and Meg, this meant the back cave of a cave where they found treasures, according to the owner “ancient” treasures, in an ancient treasure box or reliquary. We didn’t have a whole lot of time up there, so Mari didn’t have time to bargain him down from the astronomical charge.

Pastor Joe wanted to go over and see the monastery, The Monastery of Temptation. The earliest monastery on the site was built in the sixth century. The one we saw today was built in 1895. It is there to commemorate the place in the Wilderness where Jesus was led to be tempted by satan. The monks come here and spend extended stays for the same reason.

We came back down the mountain and joined the rest of the group who were waiting for us at a fountain. It just so happens this fountain is the traditional place where Elisha turned the bitter water to sweet for the people of Jericho. (Check it out in 2 Kings 2:19-22) This scripture from Exodus was written over the well…

25 “So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. 26 No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.” Exodus 23:25-26

Pastor Jerry had stepped over to take a drink, when Pastor Joe stepped up and asked very quietly if I would walk over to the fountain with him. He poured water over my feet and prayed that fruitfulness be mine and that this kind of suffering would never be James’ or mine. After he finished praying, Daddy was walking toward me he too scooped up some water and began to bless me. Pasto Joe and I looked at each other, like, there’s no way he could have heard the prayer. Daddy called for Mari to come over. He prayed that any bitter water would become sweet. He then asked for Heather, Heidi, and Hannah to come forward and he prayed for them and their children that were to come. They hugged one another as they finished.

 

Pastor Jerry asked if James and I would hold hands under the flow of the water, there he too prayed for us. (So each of our pastors prayed for us, beautiful!)

I asked if I could anoint Mrs. Susan and Pastor Jerry with the water and pray for Taylor and Kindra in this place. We love them and pray for their best, often.

Then we all just loved on one another. It was such a simple beautiful prayer meeting. Now, I don’t know if this was the exact fountain, but as you will hear from one of guides in a later post: It may not be the exact place, how could we know… but! We can honor and believe that it happened and believe that the power is still available today.

We returned to the bus, realizing that our stop had altered our plans once again. There could be no Masada… Most likely no En Gedi… There were no regrets among the people, no one would have wanted to miss Jericho or our prayer meeting just outside the ancient walls. But there still needed  to be lunch. So on to the Ahava factory. Ahava is a kibbutz that produces skin care products from the minerals found in the Dead Sea. It wouldn’t be the Holy Land without a stop here for some of the ladies, one being my own mother… They have a beach front area that you can only gain access to if you endure a sales presentation. Pastor Jerry found a nice secluded row for a siesta during the video.

We got down to the shore of the Dead Sea and found a beautifully shaded cabana where we enjoyed halloumi sandwiches (salt cheese) with fresh veggies and a lemon mint icee. Yum! Several of the group tested out the mud and the mysterious water where one cannot sink. Mom even floated for the first time. She has never been a big fan of swimming. Wading she doesn’t mind, but Mari was so gentle with her as she leaned back and allowed the water to pick her up. Doug and Meg seemed to enjoy their first experience with these exotic waters.

I didn’t last very long by the shore with the thermometer I saw hovering at 97 degrees and climbing. I stood in front of the fan at the cabana, while cold chills of being a little too overheated flooded me.

All was good when we got back on the bus and headed to Jerusalem. Everyone on the bus snoozed until Meir used his ringtone on his phone and said in a lovely voice a message we have heard every morning at 6:30am, “Good morning, this is your wake up call. Boker tov!” We all stirred up as he played, “The Holy City” and we got our first glimpse of her ancient walls. Yerushalayim…