Once again, IBEX packed up, loaded the bus, and headed out for an extended field study in the Negev. We stopped at Beersheva, Arad, Avdat, and Tsade Boker before hiking in the Nahal Zin. Each place we stopped was incredible, but I couldn't stop thinking about one place: the wilderness. The place where Israel wandered for forty years; the spiritual testing and refinement. I couldn't wait to see it. We stopped for the night in Mizpeh Ramon, right on the edge of Maktesh Ramon. A maktesh is a large crater formed by wind erosion. Several of us decided we would get up early the next morning for the sunrise. As much as I hate getting up early, the sunrise over the maktesh was definitely worth it.
Galilee was indescribably amazing. There are no words to describe how physically and spiritually beautiful Galilee is. You simply have to experience it. After eight days of paradise and thirty nine pages of notes later, I will attempt to relate my Galilean adventures.
Our first two days were spent in and around the Jezreel Valley. Day one, we stopped at Caesarea Maritima, which is on the coast. It was BEAUTIFUL. Caesarea is where Paul gave his defense before Felix, and eventually appealed to Caesar. The ruins there are really neat; especially the theatre and the hippodrome. We actually did a human chariot race in the hippodrome, which was so much fun. Later in the day, we visited the spot where Elijah had his showdown with the prophets of Baal, and then went up to Haifa University Tower to get an overlook of the Plain of Acco. After a full day, we stayed at a hotel in Nazareth, which was a really weird feeling. The little town that Jesus grew up in wasn't little or quaint at all. It was actually a pretty big and modern Arab city. |
About MeHi! My name is Bethany Cathcart, and I'm a Biblical Counseling major at The Master's University. I'm also pursuing my TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) Certificate. I currently live in Sedona, Arizona. Archives
June 2015
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