While traveling to the Egypt/Israeli border, we made many stops. Our first stop was Tel Beersheba. This is where Abraham dug his well and affirmed it by covenant, left here to offer Isaac on Mt. Moriah, and where Jacob spoke with God. A four horned altar is also found here, one that was condemned later because it was Pagan. There is so much history at Tel Beersheba- we stood where Abraham once was! We also got to go down into the well and cistern that are still there. Here are scripture references if you want to look up more about Tel Beersheba: Genesis 21:25-34, 2:1-3, 28:10, 46:1-7, Joshua 19:2, 1 Kings 4:25, 2 Kings 18:22, 23:8, Amos 5:5, 8:14.
Then we stopped at Sede Boker which is a lookout of the wilderness of Zin. This is where Moses sent spies out to scout the land of Canaan during the exodus of the children of Israel. While all the other spies came back scared of the "giants" they saw, Joshua and Caleb were the only ones to come back faithful to the Lord and believing that he would help and protect them, I love their example. Check out Gen 14:7, Deut 1:46, Numbers 13:1-24, Numbers 13:25-33, 14, 27:14, and Deut 32: 48-52 for more about the wilderness of Zin.
After the wilderness overlook we stopped by Avdat. Avdat functioned as a way-station between Petra, Eliat, Egpyt, and Gaza. Spices from Arabia and pottery were traded along this route. It was later taken over by the Romans who built a citadel, churches, and a monastery here. It was so fun to explore around it and the caves underneath- we had way too much fun taking pictures while we were there.
That night we stayed at Kibbutz Eilot where we enjoyed using the tap water to brush out teeth for the last time before going to Egypt. We took a tour around the Kibbutz and learned about their communal lifestyle. Living at a Kibbutz is like living a life size group project, they all have different jobs to help run the community while sharing cars, living in one big neighborhood and sharing a large kitchen.
Day 2-8 soon to come!
Group shot on top of Mt. Sinai
Karyn, Katie, me, Jenna on top Mt. Sinai at sunrise
One of the security cars that followed our bus as we traveled through the desert.
Muhammad Ali Mosque
Bethany and I on top of Mt. Sinai
Sunrise at 5:45 a.m. Mt. Sinai
Church built over the crypt where Mary, Joseph and Christ lived when they fled to Egypt.
The Nile, the view right in front of our hotel in Luxor.
Felucca ride on the Nile to our camel safari.
Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
Becca, Raven, me, Jenna and Emily in the Muhammad Ali Mosque
Jenna and I jumping off into the Red Sea after climbing Mt. Sinai! We all had SO much fun swimming around- it was nice to remember that it actually is summer time and to give our legs some sun! Saudi Arabia is what you see in the distance.
Raven, me, Jenna and Emily in the middle of the Muhammad Ali mosque. This was our sandal pic- you can't wear your shoes inside the mosque.
Sunrise on top of Mt. Sinai- most incredible thing ever!
Jenna, me, Emily, Andy, Lisa- our group huddled together on top of Mt. Sinai- so cold!
Mountain where Moses stood to raise his staff while Joshua fought Amalek. We stopped here on our way to Mt. Sinai, following the Exodus of the children of Israel.
Kristen and I outside the church of the crypt where the Holy family lived while in Egypt.
Me, Sydney, Kristi with our matching t-shirts at the Hard Rock Cafe- Cairo.
Sydney and I on our over night train ride!
Some of the workers at the Karnak temple, all of the men in Egypt wear galabias still.
Me, Brent, Lisa- Karnak temple
Karnak temple
All of the camels before our camel safarri.
Me, Bethany, Alise, Rachel, Erin, Monica, Annie
Me and Rachel in front of pit tomb 33 where the papyrus came from where Joseph Smith got the facsimiles in the Pearl of Great Price.
Temple of Queen Hatchepsut
King Tut's tomb! It was my favorite of all of the tombs at the valley of the kings
Me and Steph-statue of Ramses II
Kristen, Megan, Emily, Karyn, me at the Sphinx
Pyramid over look
Karyn, me, Monica, Mary Kate
At the sound and light show at the pyramids
Our first look at the pyramids- they pop out of the city out of no where!
Baptismal font used during the time of the crusaders- Avdat
Me and Andy- Avdat
Katie, me, James, Hannah- Avdat
Tel Beesheba: Hannah, James, Bethany, me, Tyler, Katie, Alyssa
me, Mary Kate and Mary Lu in front of the four horned altar at Beersheba
Going down into the cistern at Tel Beersheba
Monica, Jenna, me in front of the Muhammad Ali Mosque
me and Jenna in fron to of the Luxor temple
Felucca ride down the Nile
Jenna, me, Rachel, Steph
Camel Safarri
one of our camels
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