Day 12 – Tuesday, May 16: Arrival Back in the States or Crossing into Jordan: Allenby Bridge, Bethany Beyond the Jordan, Wadi Mujib, Mt. Nebo, Medeba

 

Those who flew back last night (or early this morning) arrived safely back in the States. Seventeen of us continued our journey to Jordan. We left at 7:15 after breakfast and loading our bus. The day was much warmer, with hazy sun and highs in the afternoon at Bethany Beyond the Jordan at 107! Toasty but a “dry heat.” The water experience at Wadi Wujib earlier cooled us down!

 

Allenby Bridge Border Crossing 

While reading Psalm 148 as we left the hotel, we drove east out of Jerusalem to the Jericho area. Slightly north of Jericho is the Allenby Bridge border crossing into the Hashemite country of Jordan. Crossing the border required patience (as always), but we made it across without issue. We met our Jordanian driver (Halid) and our guide (Sammy). Following the usual passport procedures, we ascended across the Plain of Moab to our first remarkable visit, Wadi Wujib

 

Wadi Mujib (Arnon)

It took us only about 40 minutes to drive to what the Bible called the Arnon River (Numbers 21:13, 14, 24; 22:36, Judges 11:13, etc…). The Arnon served as a natural boundary between ancient Moabites and the Ammonites. Today is is called the Wadi Mujib. This was an amazingly beautiful place and an incredible experience! Equipped with good water shoes and life jackets, we literally walked up through the water of the wadi (river). The current was swift, with the water over our heads at times. We used ropes and even ladders to ascend further up the wadi. Wadi Wujib is one of the most beautiful places in all of Jordan!

 

Bethany Beyond the Jordan

After changing back into dry clothes, we bussed back north along the eastern shoreline of the Dead Sea to Bethany Beyond the Jordan. It was now 107 degrees when we began our walk down to the Jordan River. This area is known for where Elijah ascended into heaven in a fiery chariot (2 Kings 2), and where Jesus was baptized (John 1). Jesus also came to this area of Parea on occasion, especially where John was baptizing (John 10).

 
“Seventeen of us crossed into Jordan today for the optional trip extension. It was an amazing day. Walking through the water at Wadi Mujib was an incredible experience, while standing on Mt. Nebo was special thinking that Moses was there!”
Camel Mt. Nebo May 23 Israel-Jordan Tour John DeLancey
Mt. Nebo

Our last stop of the day was up to Mt. Nebo, part of the Pisgah Range. The visibility was very poor, not even allowing us to see Jericho on the west side of the Jordan River. We read portions from Deuteronomy 31-34 and Joshua 1 about the transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua. A Bronze Snake monument is erected here (Numbers 21, John 3). We also saw the newly renovated church here built upon the Byzantine Church from the 4-5th centuries AD.

 

Medeba

From here we drove to Medeba. After making a brief stop as a mosaic school and store, we continued to our hotel. We enjoyed dinner here, followed by a free evening. We are all looking forward to experiencing Petra tomorrow.

 

Day 13 – Wednesday, May 17: Drive to Wadi Musa, Petra

Wadi Wubij May 23 Israel-Jordan Tour John DeLancey
Wadi Wubij May 23 Israel-Jordan Tour John DeLancey
Wadi Wubij May 23 Israel-Jordan Tour John DeLancey
Bethany Beyond the Jordan May 23 Israel-Jordan Tour John DeLancey
Mt. Nebo May 23 Israel-Jordan Tour John DeLancey
Wadi Wubij May 23 Israel-Jordan Tour John DeLancey
Wadi Wubij May 23 Israel-Jordan Tour John DeLancey
Wadi Wubij May 23 Israel-Jordan Tour John DeLancey
Bethany Beyond the Jordan May 23 Israel-Jordan Tour John DeLancey
Mt. Nebo May 23 Israel-Jordan Tour John DeLancey

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