Grumbling in Sin, fresh water, broader horizons, fresh water

After our crazy trip, 3 hours of sleep didn’t seem like enough. However, after a VERY cold shower and a Redline, we managed to get ourselves going around 7:00 a.m. As we walked out of our room we noticed the beautiful Red Sea. Lori and I walked down to the beach and simply enjoyed the incredible blue waters. I guess I never pictured it this way, but man what a way to start the day!

By the Red Sea

We loaded up in 4×4 vehicles, 6 to a truck, and headed out to follow the wanderings of the Israelites through the desert. What a blast it was to romp and stomp through the desert. Our driver, Akmed, wasn’t nervous about hitting the gas and we were flying around in the back. Much better way to see the desert than wandering around

Hanging with our 4×4 drivers

Our Egyptian guide, Harry

As we drove we’d periodically stop and enjoy views of the desert. Our first couple stops were in the valley of Sin, named because that’s where the Israelites complained about Moses leading them out of Egypt. To be honest, after viewing the rough terrain, endless desert views, and heat, I can empathize with the Israelites a little better. One of the cool stops was a spot where the Israelites first encountered the Amelikites in a huge area. It was amazing to picture this as a battle field. We had a blast climbing sand dunes, building rock monuments and getting to know our Egyptian drivers a little better.

The group learning about the Valley of Sin

Running down a huge sand dune

Our next stop was for a true Bedouin lunch. The Bedouin’s are tribal people who have wandered the desert for thousands of years, much like the one’s who purchased Joseph from his brothers and sold him into slavery in Egypt. The Bedouin’s were very friendly, and I had a blast playing with their kids. It reminded me how kids are kids, no matter where they live, and also made me miss my children today! The lunch was awesome, consisting of chicken, cooked vegetables, rice, a pita like bread, and a few other things I don’t know how to explain   We were all a little nervous at first, but everyone thoroughly enjoyed the lunch. What a life experience!

A true Bedouin lunch

Lunch close up

My new security team!

During lunch our guide showed us the local Tamarisk trees, which in this region actually produce a gummy-like substance that’s edible and nutritious. The locals call it “manna”. Many believe this is actually the manna that was provided by God daily for His children right in this area.

The next stop was at the only fresh water spring in the valley of Sin. It’s extremely logical (and widely accepted) that the Israelites would have utilized this spring during their wanderings. It was awesome to see God’s provision for His children, literally providing a stream in the desert. I was also very touched to have wandered (albeit by 4×4) where Moses led the people. It gave me a much greater perspective on the book of Exodus, and broadened my horizons to how events in the Bible actually unfolded.

Fresh water spring in the desert

After driving out of the desert (with a little more romping ), we loaded back on our bus and headed to Cairo. Along the way we stopped at Marah, where in Exodus 15 God turns bitter water into fresh water. This is typical of what God does; He takes unusable and makes it usable, dead and makes it alive, bitter and makes it fresh I love our God. There are two wells at Marah, and I see how they were an oasis in the desert to the Israelites.

One of the 2 wells at Marah

We journeyed on to Cairo, witnessing the Suez canal (very cool), which had huge tankers passing through. As we entered Cairo we were amazed at the multitude of empty buildings. Cairo has 20 million residents, and as the city has sought to expand it’s led to uncontrolled (and unscrupulous) building. There are literally thousands of completely empty high-rise buildings that were never completed. The corruption is unchecked and leads to developers taking huge loans and bailing on the projects before completion. I’ve never seen anything like it! Until…

Cairo traffic. Man, this is crazy. People literally walk out onto the freeways (en masse) to hitch rides. They run in front of cars all over the roads. Kids dart in and out of busy traffic, never looking. Moms holding babies play “frogger” across 6 lane roads. I’m not talking occasionally, it’s every few feet. I was heart-broken at the state of this city, and it’s people living in rampant poverty. It reminds me once again how blessed I am and thankful for all I have.

It’s early Wednesday as I write this, and today we’ll be taking a camel ride (yep ) to the pyramids. Can’t wait to see one of the great wonders of the world, and I hope to blog it late tonight, as we leave for the airport at 5:00 am tomorrow for 19 hours of flying home. We all appreciate your prayers.