One of the common questions I get after returning from a trip is “How was the food?” JUC does a great job with the food. Not having to worry about cooking for a few months made it all the better. Here is a tiny taste of my culinary journey through Israel. But the fabulous food wasn’t limited to just on campus. There were other memorable meals on the road. While there were certainly memorable meals throughout the semester, what I remember most fondly is I where I ate it or who I was with.
Author Archive: Brian Johnson
Wadi Rum
Driving south, we came to a cliff line. Wadi Rum stretched out before us. Rocks and sand were visible as far as the eye could see. (Rum is Arabic for sand) This was Lawrence of Arabia territory (the movie was filmed extensively here, along with many others including recent movies like The Martian). We stopped for lunch, which had our last real bathrooms for two days. Our bus would be leaving us in the meantime. We loaded into trucks for a quick drive through the sands to our campsite. Settling into our Bedouin goat-hair tent, it was time to start […]
Shobak
We hit the road again, heading farther south to the town of Shobak to stay at Jaya Camp, run by a local Bedouin family. We started by walking into town because we were told there was a fun shop of trinkets to visit. The clouds looked threatening when we started our short trek and soon let loose. We ducked into a small cave to escape the drenching downpour and hail. When it stopped a few minutes later, we walked the extra minute to the store. Across the street was the world’s smallest hotel, a VW bug with a bed shoved […]
When the Spirit Came
There was one more holiday I would have liked to stick around for in Jerusalem which was today (Sunday): Shavuot (Feast of Weeks / Pentecost). Coming 50 days after the Sabbath of Passover, it remembers the giving of the Torah at Mt Sinai. The Shavuot after Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension imbued it with additional meaning because the Holy Spirit came upon them at this time. Jesus had promised that his departure wasn’t the end. Rather, it ushered in a new beginning. The first Shavuot gave the Torah; that Shavuot empowered them to better live it out. While I may […]
Wadi Hike
People assault the flinty rock with their hands and lay bare the roots of the mountains.They tunnel through the rock; their eyes see all its treasures. Job 28:9-10 After breakfast the next morning, we loaded up and drove back to Dana Village to begin our hike down Wadi Dana, a large canyon sloping into the Rift Valley. We descended over 3000 feet over the course of 10+ miles, ending at the Feinan EcoLodge where we would spend the night. The hike took six hours, including stops, giving us plenty of time to enjoy the scenery. Our luggage was waiting for […]
Across the Jordan
The semester wasn’t complete simply because exams were done. My Cultural Backgrounds class still had one thing remaining: six days in Jordan. To better understand the culture of the Bible, we visited various Bedouin groups, since their culture most closely resembles that of the Bible. This was unlike any other field study I’ve ever done, and it was fantastic! Departing early, we crossed the border and drove to the small village of Dana, south of the Dead Sea. We learned about making bread, milking a goat, and plowing. Then we sat back with a cup of tea while someone serenaded […]
Farewell Again Jerusalem
If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill.May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy. Psalm 137:5-6 My bonus days around Jerusalem have ended. I’ll miss wandering around those old streets. I went to Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv Tuesday evening and departed from my incredible adventure. I’m thankful for safe flights home. Unpacking my suitcase is taking some effort, but unpacking what I’ve learned will take years. I pray that God will use these experiences […]
70 Years
This is what the Lord Almighty says: “I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west. I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God.” Zechariah 8:7-8 It’s been an eventful time to be in Jerusalem. Monday, May 14 was the 70th anniversary of Israel on the Gregorian calendar and marked the moving of the US embassy to the city. (By moving, that means changing the sign on what was the consulate) While it wasn’t obvious in Jerusalem, […]
Jerusalem Day
Today is Jerusalem Day, the 51st anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem. From 1948-1967, Jerusalem was divided. The Six Day War in 1967 resulted in Israel capturing the remainder of the city (and other territories). As the sun was setting last night, I could hear teenagers outside singing and dancing. Journeying to the Western Wall, there was a large crowd. I could hear more singing. There has been celebrating today. It seems like lots of teenagers out singing, marching the streets, and carrying Israeli flags. There was a big celebration at the Western Wall this evening. It’s fun to be […]
All Things End
After spending nearly a week in Jordan learning about Bedouin life (more on that in later posts), the semester has officially come to a close. My classmates are leaving. I’m staying in Jerusalem with some friends for a few more days, but this JUC tale is complete. Saying good-bye is difficult. But which is worse: to cry because you’re leaving someone you’ve grown close to or not cry because there isn’t anyone you’ll miss? I would rather be in the former camp. My life is at a crossroads. I’m heading back home soon. Or am I leaving home? Such lines […]