Today was the most rigorous (some would say treacherous) and amazing hike of the trip. It was also the second warmest at just a bit over 109.
After our morning routine we had a short ride North along the Dead Sea shore. Destination? En Gedi. After two full days in the desert the sight of this stunning oasis was a delight to spirit, body and soul. It was amazing! I know you may be tiring of that word, but it truly was. Ray's timing is purposeful, of course, and this living water in the midst of such a dry and thirsty land was exhilerating. What's more, this is exactly the water in which David and his men took refuge and sustenance. The image in Psalm 42:1-2 among others is taken from here. To know you are looking and listening to the very same thing as King David is, well, beyond words.
Then Ray did a very surprising thing. As we reached the upper head waters of the falls he jumped in! I couldn't offload my gear fast enough. In I went! Turns out not everyone made the same decision. There was a teaching about that. Nor did everyone see him sneak further up the trail. Those of us who did, and followed, were treated to the most splendid part of the En Gedi experience. You may be thinking "not everyone experienced the best part" and you'd be correct. There was a powerful teaching about that, too. There is so much more but my time is short. I was called upon today to deliver the closing point scripture. What a joy!
I want you to know there were three more hikes before day's end. All long, all steep and all hot. The very special treat today was something Ray says only about 300 people in the world have seen. It's a series of ruins just above one of Herod's secret spice operations called "The Essene Huts" and requires Israeli cabinet level permission to visit. The archaeologist who discovered the ruins is certain they are the dwelling places of the Qumran Essenes. Ray isn't as certain. They're located some 30 miles away from Qumran, for instance. Still, the size, layout and features made for a great Essene teaching experience and it was an honor and priviledge to see it.
The final hike up Wadi Mishmar began the discussion of Jesus and his connection to the entire story we have so far experienced. Oh, my.
Ray left En Gedi with this thought: the amazing falls we experienced does not come from a single source but from thousands of small streams. They represent each one of us who are called to be "En Gedi" to those in our community and beyond. Could you be described as an "En Gedi"? Could I?
