Camel Rides and such...

Hello friends,  our pilgrimage team has had an eventful first couple of days.  Their time in the wilderness was terrific (and tiring!) with hikes and camel rides.  I have lots of pictures to share:

Edward Crouse and Robert Sherman - glad they are keeping those teeth bright and clean.

Camel Rides (this looks a lot more fun than the ones we did on a trip that was a circle around a parking lot!):

 Arthur Jenkins in front, Jay Crouse in back.

 David Crouse in front, Steve Pisanelli in back.

 Tim Surratt in front and maybe Lee Jones in the back (Edward wasn't sure).

I think this selfie is actually atop a camel!  Alfred Olwa, a Bishop from Uganda, in front and Edward Crouse (our photographer and reporter today) on the back.

Devotions and teachings in the wilderness:

Here is the group's guide, Farage, who Edward says is "...hilarious...and does a great job of keeping things rolling while also rolling with it...)

I asked Edward who he had enjoyed the most so far and he said, "...All the guys in the pictures and the classics Robert, Terry (ed.: who he already knew) and Davey (ed: Edward's uncle), Russ, Ramsey, Charleston...."  With 25 men, it might take a while to get everyone straight! 

From two reports, the guys are pooped!  But they were headed to bed early tonight.

I just talked to Jay and the team had an amazing and totally PACKED day!  The guys were at Masada by 7:45 am.  Read up on Masada at:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masada 

Fascinating piece of history. 

Next up - the group hiked up to the spring at Ein Geti.  This is the sight of the story of David and Saul in the cave - 1 Samuel 23 and 24.  I just watched a fascinating youtube video that details what happened at this beautiful oasis. See it here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YfIyZJFvrQ

Next on the agenda was Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Tim Surratt was so excited, he took a group up to a cave.

Our exhausted travelers ended up in a beautiful Oasis - actually the Oasis Hotel in Jericho which I think they all felt was a true oasis - with pools, a steam room, comfy beds and hot showers.

      They even have a Dead See pool in which they get to float. 

They get to spend two nights here to enjoy a little luxury.

If you can ID any other members of the team, let me know and I will label my pictures.

Take care.