DAY 11 – WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27: ARRIVE HOME or JORDAN EXTENSION: BORDER CROSSING, MT. NEBO, MACHAERUS, PETRA
Today the trip continued for 59 of us who crossed the border into Jordan. 24 in the group flew back home on various flights. One in the group (with a friend of his staying behind also) remained back in Israel to attend to some medical needs. Please join us in prayer for recovery of health for this gentleman.
Allenby Bridge Border Crossing
Leaving the hotel at 7:40 with luggage in hand, we drove east to the Jordan Valley where we crossed into the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The passport procedures went smoothly. We were greeted by Sam and Wiel, our two Jordanian guides and our new drivers.
Mt. Nebo
Our first stop by late morning was Mt. Nebo. We past a few flocks of sheep crossing the road on the way. At an elevation about 2,200 feet, this high mountain provided Moses’ with his last view of the Promised Land. We read from Deuteronomy 31 and 34 as well as Joshua 1. Moses died here, but not before handing the leadership baton to Joshua. The view across to the Dead Sea, Jericho, and the Plains of Moab / Jordan Valley was fairly descent. We stepped into the beautiful restored church and saw incredible mosaics, some from the 5th and 6th century AD.
“I felt privileged to be able to continue my trip with doing the optional extension to Jordan. While today was a longer travel day on the bumpy roads of Jordan, it was incredible to stand on Mt. Nebo where Moses did. The view of Israel from here was amazing!” -Tour Member-
Machaerus
After stopping briefly at a nearby mosaic school and store, we drove around Medeba to Machaerus. This was where John the Baptist was beheaded. We read from Matthew 14 before climbing up this palace-fortress built first by Herod the Great (in 30 BC). Before him Alexander Janneaus the Hasmonean first built a fortress here in 90 BC. It was during the reign of Herod Antipas (one of Herod’s three sons, 4 BC – 39 AD) when John met his fate. On the top we saw the area of the palace, a huge cistern, a few ritual baths, and mosaics.
Kings & Desert Highways to Petra
In the mid afternoon we began our long drive to Petra. The road was bumpy with heavy truck traffic taking goods to the Port of Aqaba. We stopped briefly at a rest stop before arriving in Wadi Musa and the area of Petra. After checking in we enjoyed dinner. We retired early for the evening in preparation for our early start tomorrow in Petra, one of the 7 Wonders of the World.
DAY 12 – THURSDAY, MARCH 28: PETRA, WADI RUM
