Last weekend we took a field trip to some pretty cool places here in Jordan, and I was reminded why I started learning Arabic in the first place...
First we went to Machaeus, a hill-top castle of King Herod. It's on a steep mountain which overlooks the Dead Sea with the best vantage point in the area. There are only a few remaining ruins today. We climbed down into the underground cistern and explored surrounding caves where Herod's soldiers stayed.
This is where Salome danced before King Herod and then requested the head of John the Baptist. Of course all of us girls had to reenact the scene, and to be historically accurate, we danced to "Turn Down for What." T'was a sight to behold...
I really loved being out in the wilderness. It was so... desolate. I definitely have a new perspective on Biblical stories.
Next on the trip we visited Mount Nebo - THE place where Moses stood after 40 years of wandering in the desert and looked out over the long-awaited promised land. He never got to go to the land because it was at this mount that he died.
It was a really great view and we could see out over Jericho
and the Dead Sea with Jerusalem way in the distance.
After Mount Nebo we visited the town of Madaba which is known for its large Christian population (for Jordan). We went to several sites of Byzantine mosaics which were amazing! It is now my life goal to make my own mosaic.
But my favorite picture of the day was definitely of this little girl in a car in Madaba. So cute...
Anyways, this weekend reminded me of why I chose to study the Middle East and Arabic in the first place. I get that question A LOT. So...
My senior year of high school I took a seminary church class in which we studied the Old Testament. I was enthralled by the stories and the heritage of the Holy Land. I became fascinated by the tribes of Israel and the prophecies and blessings regarding them. Moses, Abraham, and Joseph became real people who made a difference in my life.
At the same time, I was in a Contemporary World Problems class in which we discussed current issues, and I realized the connection between ancient and modern history and how it's all one in the same. The Middle East is such a special place with so much goodness, so much conflict, so much history, so much culture, and so much potential. That is why I chose to study it. I love the Middle East. I feel such a connection to this place. I feel right where I belong and right where I'm needed.
