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.
Later that morning, we all hiked down into the maktesh, which is part of the Wilderness of Zin. The geology was incredibly varied, and the terrain was jagged and rocky. We hiked along, talking as we went. Suddenly I heard Josh shouting from behind us, "Hey, you guys are going the wrong way!" Long story short, about half of us got separated from the group. After being lost for about ten minutes, we figured out the trail that we were supposed to be on. A couple people were running up the hills and mountains trying to see where the other group was. Of course, several of us noticed that we were officially wandering in the wilderness. Suddenly someone noticed that Jordan Whorton wasn't with us. Everyone quieted down while Jared shouted for him at the top of his lungs. Eventually, after we looked and called for a while, we came to the conclusion that Jordan was either dead in a canyon, or he was with the other group. Eventually, we were reunited with the other group. I'm happy to say that Jordan wasn't dead in a ditch somewhere. He was safely with the other group. We made it back to the bus and started driving south towards Eilat.
Now the moment I anticipated. The bus pulled off to the side of the road at a seemingly random place. Chris told each of us to go off into the wilderness and take about twenty minutes alone with the Lord. I found a rock to sit on and read Exodus 16, John 6, and Deuteronomy 8. I will never forget that as long as I live. I read all three chapters, paying special attention to Deuteronomy. I highly suggest going and reading Deuteronomy 8 if you haven't.
"The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers. And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that He might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not" - Deuteronomy 8:1-2
After I finished reading, I listened to "In the Wilderness" by Michael Card. Go listen to that song. The theology in the words is absolutely beautiful. After the song was over, I started praying. I want to follow God wherever He leads me. Even if it's through the wilderness for forty years. Even if it's through the valley of the shadow of death, I want to run with reckless abandon and total trust after Him. No reservations. Nothing is too great to sacrifice for God's plans for me. I want to follow Him. Even if it means walking alone. Even if it means refining by fire and testing in the wilderness. If that is what it takes, so be it. And God loves us enough to bother refining us and testing us! I left it all out on that rock in the wilderness. All my doubt, fear, reservations... I want to leave it in that wilderness forever.
Finally, we came to Eilat. Then we went snorkeling in the Red Sea! That's right. Snorkeling. Be jealous. Come to Israel. But seriously though, it was incredible. Thankfully we didn't see any sharks or anything super scary. But there were a lot of really sweet fish. That evening we wandered around the boardwalk. It was an incredible experience.
Finally, we came to Eilat. Then we went snorkeling in the Red Sea! That's right. Snorkeling. Be jealous. Come to Israel. But seriously though, it was incredible. Thankfully we didn't see any sharks or anything super scary. But there were a lot of really sweet fish. That evening we wandered around the boardwalk. It was an incredible experience.
The next day, we visited the copper mines at Timna. I even found a chunk of copper to keep! The Tabernacle Model was next. I was really surprised how small it was. I always envisioned it way bigger, but it was still neat to get a picture in my head. The rest of the day was spent driving up to a hostel at Masada. As per IBEX tradition, we planned to hike to the top for the sunrise. But first, since it was Shabbat (Friday night), we had our chapel service. Chris (our leader) led us out into a chalky canyon near the hostel. We sat on the ground, away from all the lights and noise of the town (which was relatively quiet anyway). I honestly don't remember a ton of what Chris talked about, but a few things still stick in my mind. This was our last traveling field study; we only had one more field study after this. The semester is coming to a close. Chris still remembers this night from his IBEX semester. He mentioned the fact that we'll all see each other in heaven again someday. The next time my IBEX group will be together will be in heaven. And that made me tear up a bit. I was imagining seeing everyone together again, having a little IBEX reunion in heaven, and how we would all cry tears of joy. And it made me cry a little too. As much as I love Israel, and as much as I've fallen in love with this land, the people I shared this experience with will always have my heart more than the land itself. We've gone through so much together. Good times and bad, we've all experienced it together. Soon, in a few weeks, we'll say our goodbyes, go our separate ways, and life will go on. I'll see some of them again for sure. Others I may never cross paths with again. And some may say "Oh, you young people have texting and Facebook and all kinds of social media things to keep in touch." While that's true in a sense, it doesn't cut it. It's not the same. Social media is so impersonal. Texting is so impersonal. A phone call is better, but even so, there's no substitute for face to face fellowship with people you love dearly.
Morning came early. Jordan M. and I began our hike just before 5 am in the morning. We made our way up the snake path, hoping to reach the top before sunrise. And I have to say, Jordan was the best encourager ever. She encouraged me every step of the way, all the way to the top. We made it up in 40 minutes in time for the sunrise! It was absolutely breathtaking. An Israeli guy with a big camera came and sat next to Jordan and I. We talked with him for a bit. Turns out, his friend was going to hike up Masada and propose to his girlfriend. Our camera friend was going to hide and get pictures. After the sun came up, we watched the proposal, and then spent a little over two hours exploring the remains of the fortress. Jill and Aubrea joined us while we were exploring. We practically ran down the snake path to get breakfast. Running down that many stairs... well, let's just say muscles were sore that I didn't know existed. But it was fun and totally worth it! After we packed up, we headed to Qumran. We even hiked up to Cave 1, where the first Dead Sea Scroll discovery was made by the bedouin searching for his sheep. The rocks were razor sharp near that cave. Coming up wasn't too bad, but coming down was a challenge. There were lots of loose sharp rocks to slip on, so it was slow going. Not something you could run down. Thankfully no one fell to their death or anything, but there were a few people who got significant cuts on their feet. Thankfully nothing too serious.
Morning came early. Jordan M. and I began our hike just before 5 am in the morning. We made our way up the snake path, hoping to reach the top before sunrise. And I have to say, Jordan was the best encourager ever. She encouraged me every step of the way, all the way to the top. We made it up in 40 minutes in time for the sunrise! It was absolutely breathtaking. An Israeli guy with a big camera came and sat next to Jordan and I. We talked with him for a bit. Turns out, his friend was going to hike up Masada and propose to his girlfriend. Our camera friend was going to hide and get pictures. After the sun came up, we watched the proposal, and then spent a little over two hours exploring the remains of the fortress. Jill and Aubrea joined us while we were exploring. We practically ran down the snake path to get breakfast. Running down that many stairs... well, let's just say muscles were sore that I didn't know existed. But it was fun and totally worth it! After we packed up, we headed to Qumran. We even hiked up to Cave 1, where the first Dead Sea Scroll discovery was made by the bedouin searching for his sheep. The rocks were razor sharp near that cave. Coming up wasn't too bad, but coming down was a challenge. There were lots of loose sharp rocks to slip on, so it was slow going. Not something you could run down. Thankfully no one fell to their death or anything, but there were a few people who got significant cuts on their feet. Thankfully nothing too serious.
We got home just in time to unpack, take a good nap, and then go to dinner. So ended our last field study of the semester. Originally it was supposed to be the second last, but our Samaria trip got cancelled due to political instability. We do have several more short field trips (like to the Israel Museum and Yad VaShem), but the official field studies are over. In fact, I just finished taking the final for Land and the Bible. I'm officially done with that class. Normally I would be excited for something like that, but this time I'm sad. I was unpacking my stuffed backpack the other night, and pulled out my assignment book to update it. As I folded back page after page, and crossed off assignment after assignment, I realized that it's all coming to an end. It's actually ending. I will actually have to pack up my stuff, get on a plane, fly back, and say goodbye to everyone and to this amazing life changing experience. I don't want it to end. I don't want to say goodbye to everyone, or to Israel. But I have to move on somehow. Somehow I will. Life will go on without me, whether I'm ready for it or not. And there will be wonderful things in store for me back in America. Why? Because my God is the same there as He is in Israel! He is just as incredible, just as amazing, and just as involved! He loves me, and He is directly involved in my life, just as much as He was here. And that will never change no matter where I am. And that is such a comfort. Praise the Lord that He will never change, and that He will never leave us or forsake us.