So, I've decided I'm a terrible blogger. I really need to work on keeping everyone updated with what has been happening on the trip. Granted, it's only been 3 weeks but I promise I'll do better. Pictures are coming soon! I guess why it's so hard to share what I have been doing is because I've been doing so much. Right now, I'm currently in Beit Sahour, Palestine. I'll be here for about a month living with a host family, studying arabic, visiting biblical sites, and attempting to wrap my mind around the current Israel/Palestine conflict. Just to give you a little information on Beit Sahour, it's a small town, right outside of Bethlehem and about four miles away from Jerusalem (which it is separated from by the wall). Beit Sahour is the town where Ruth lived, and is where the Shepherds who encountered Jesus' birth resided. I guess the easiest way to share with you what has happened thus far is to give you a quick synopsis on where we have been and what we have done. This post will be focused on Egypt. Hopefully soon I'll be caught up and able to share with you what is currently going on. Feel free to post questions or email me at hannah.tissue@emu.edu
EGYPT:
I am sure a lot of you are aware of the current political situation in Egypt. We were very careful as we toured throughout Egypt, taking extra precautions when needed. Egypt was very touristy. We did not have a lot of interactions with the people with the exception of our AMAZING tour guide, Sam. However, the things we saw were absolutely incredible. I cannot explain to you the way y senses came alive when I first experienced Egypt. Here is a list of some of the highlights from Egypt: Pyramids, Coptic Churches, Anafora (see post below), Mosques, King Tut's treasure, Valley of the Kings, Library in Alexandria, boat ride on the Nile, and truly seeing the Old Testament come to life. If I had to pick one experience from Egypt that was my favorite, I would definitely pick the day spent on Mount Sinai. We started the day off at Saint Catherine's Monastery. There we saw the well where Moses met Zephora and what is believed to be the burning bush (which ironically had a fire extinguisher by it). After the visit to the monastery, we began our climb up Mount Sinai. Let me tell you, this is not a climb for the faint at heart. It was a struggle to make it to the top but like Moses, I was determined to encounter God in a new and real way. Once we all made it to the top, we had a beautiful meditation (led by our professor, Linford) and sang a few songs. Next, we all went to our own private spots and watched the sun set. There are a lot of things about this moment that I will forever regard as special between me and God. It was our own private moment that I will forever hold dear to my heart. What I will share, however, is that God revealed himself to me in such a real and intimate way up on the mountain... so intimately in fact, that it brought me to tears. I don't know how many of you are aware of the struggle I have had with God this past year due to church conflict, illnesses, deaths, and just confusion as to who God was but it has definitely been a time of growth and turmoil. However, in that moment up on Mount Sinai, God revealing himself to me showed me that the struggle is worth it! It's not easy but you must go through the valley to stand on the mountain of God.. literally! If I hadn't struggled with God, I may have never experienced Him the way I did. You may ask why I share this with you all but I just want to encourage anyone who feels like they are struggling to wait upon the Lord and he will hear you cry and make himself real to you. Amen?
Thanks for reading that ramble. Again I say, if you have any questions or comments feel free to ask. I know I was vague. That's all for now.
ps. shout out to my amazing parents for providing me with this amazing opportunity.
EGYPT:
I am sure a lot of you are aware of the current political situation in Egypt. We were very careful as we toured throughout Egypt, taking extra precautions when needed. Egypt was very touristy. We did not have a lot of interactions with the people with the exception of our AMAZING tour guide, Sam. However, the things we saw were absolutely incredible. I cannot explain to you the way y senses came alive when I first experienced Egypt. Here is a list of some of the highlights from Egypt: Pyramids, Coptic Churches, Anafora (see post below), Mosques, King Tut's treasure, Valley of the Kings, Library in Alexandria, boat ride on the Nile, and truly seeing the Old Testament come to life. If I had to pick one experience from Egypt that was my favorite, I would definitely pick the day spent on Mount Sinai. We started the day off at Saint Catherine's Monastery. There we saw the well where Moses met Zephora and what is believed to be the burning bush (which ironically had a fire extinguisher by it). After the visit to the monastery, we began our climb up Mount Sinai. Let me tell you, this is not a climb for the faint at heart. It was a struggle to make it to the top but like Moses, I was determined to encounter God in a new and real way. Once we all made it to the top, we had a beautiful meditation (led by our professor, Linford) and sang a few songs. Next, we all went to our own private spots and watched the sun set. There are a lot of things about this moment that I will forever regard as special between me and God. It was our own private moment that I will forever hold dear to my heart. What I will share, however, is that God revealed himself to me in such a real and intimate way up on the mountain... so intimately in fact, that it brought me to tears. I don't know how many of you are aware of the struggle I have had with God this past year due to church conflict, illnesses, deaths, and just confusion as to who God was but it has definitely been a time of growth and turmoil. However, in that moment up on Mount Sinai, God revealing himself to me showed me that the struggle is worth it! It's not easy but you must go through the valley to stand on the mountain of God.. literally! If I hadn't struggled with God, I may have never experienced Him the way I did. You may ask why I share this with you all but I just want to encourage anyone who feels like they are struggling to wait upon the Lord and he will hear you cry and make himself real to you. Amen?
Thanks for reading that ramble. Again I say, if you have any questions or comments feel free to ask. I know I was vague. That's all for now.
ps. shout out to my amazing parents for providing me with this amazing opportunity.
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