Day 12 – Friday May 9: Start of Jordan Extension or Extended Time in Jerusalem (Until Rescheduled Flights Take Place)
Because of the cancellation of flights from the Tel Aviv Airport back through Europe and back home, those not doing the Jordan extension have a few extra days here in Jerusalem. We pray for them ad their flight schedules.
Twelve in the group, however, departed early in the morning for the southern border with Jordan. We departed at 7:00 a.m. The weather was sunny and hot today (around 100 at the Red Sea, but cooler when we arrived at Petra at 7:00 p.m.). We read from 2 Chronicles 20 as we departed.
Masada
Since we were driving past the site of Masada (metzada, in Hebrew), we decided to stop not only to use their bathrooms, but also to cable car up and down quickly. Although we had limited time, on the top we enjoyed a panoramic view of the site before Shlomo told us the story of Masada. This palace-fortress was built in the early 30s BC by Herod the Great. Later in 70 AD, this was the location where 967 Jews found refuge from the Romans following the destruction of the Temple. The holdout lasted about three years until all by five of these Jews (a few women and children) took their own lives. It is a story of bravery and courage! After about only 30 minutes on the top, we cabled down.
Yovata & Timnah
Continuing to drive south from here we stopped for ice cream at Yovata and to see the Tabernacle Model at Timnah. The ice cream was wonderful! A few miles further south, we visited Timnah. This site was once an Egyptian copper mine in the 13-12th centuries BC. However, displayed here is a full-scale replica of the Tabernacle. The size of this Mishkan was 150 feet by 75 feet. We saw the Altar and Laver in the court yard. In the Holy Chamber we saw the Menorah, Table of Presence, and Incense Altar. In the Holy of Holies was the Ark of the Covenant. We read from Hebrew 9 about how Jesus fulfilled everything the Tabernacle represented!
“Twelve in our group began our Jordan extension today! We drove south to Elat and the Red Sea where we crossed into Jordan. On the Jordanian side we drove about two and a half hours to Petra! While it was a driving day, we still saw many things and views!”
Elat/Coral Beach/Red Sea
About 20 miles south is Elat, Israel’s southern-most city. Here we enjoyed a visit to Coral Beach and the Red Sea (Sea of Reeds). Some in the group enjoyed swimming among the bright fish and coral reefs.
Rabin Border Crossing/Petra
Finally, we arrived at the Rabin Border Crossing. We first proceeded through the Israeli side before walking about 150 yards to the Jordan side. Here we we met by our Jordanian guide (Sammy) and our driver. We loaded up brand new bus (luxurious, really!) and drove about 2.5 hours to Petra.
We checked into our hotel and enjoyed a wonderful dinner together on the open top floor. We are glad that the site of Petra is now open after the historically severe flooding that happened earlier in the week!
Day 13 – Saturday, May 10: Petra, Medeba
