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After leaving Tel Aviv, the GTS 1 team headed south to the ancient city of Beersheva. It was amazing to see the landscape change as we drove into the desert. On our way, we made a stop to do some grocery shopping, and the grocery store turned into a theme park as the students eagerly hunted through the aisles-it was most of their first time in a grocery store since they arrived in Cyprus in January. The chocolate isle was a definite hit. The highlight of Beersheva was our day with Avner Bosky, a close friend of and long-time teacher for Gateways. Avner took us to the excavated site of ancient Beersheva. We crowded around and listened as someone dropped a small stone into the same well that Abraham built. Avner brought to life Abraham’s encounter with Avimelech. There was a conflict over rights to the well Abraham had dug. Though Abraham knew by faith it was the land God had promised him, he was still required to contend for it. This place became the first piece of territory to be owned by Abraham and the first fruits of what will belong to the Jews for all time. We then descended into the heart of the cistern archaeologists have uncovered and marvelled at the finger streaks of the sub-contractor who lined it with sea-sand plaster around 900BC.

Later that day, the students had some class time. Avner taught about God’s priorities, particularly in his establishing of a birth order. Rights of the firstborn to double status and inheritance are not without double responsibility and consequences for failure. He outlined God’s heart for His people, Israel, and the responsibility Gentiles have to “provoke them to jealousy” (Romans 11:11) by way of demonstrating the transforming presence of God. Avner concluded with an explanation of how Jews can find a fulfilment of their identity in Messiah.

Our next abode was in Nitsanei Sinai where we stayed in cabins right along the Israeli/Egyptian border. The desert view was truly beautiful and we all enjoyed the large Bedouin style tent in which we had our meals and times of worship. We especially enjoyed getting to eat with our host, Avishai and his family. He spiced things up with his intense home-grown peppers. The highlight of our time here was our big desert hike. With backpacks full of water we journeyed through the desert for over 20 kilometers/12 miles. Everyone did so great and we were blessed by the Lord for cool breezes and cloud cover. Being in the desert for a week taught us that it can be very hot in the day and very cold at night. It makes sense that God would use cloud by day and fire by night to not only guide the children of Israel, but also to shade them and keep them warm.

While in Nitsanei Sinai, we had our student-led service. Michael shared about who we are in Jesus. We are His friends, His brothers, and His bride. He bought us with a price, so of course He wants to take care of what is His. Michael encouraged us to soak up the scriptures that speak of our identity in Him so that we can push for our full inheritance and destroy the lies of the enemy.

Susanna shared on “Persistant Partying.” She shared with us her joy and exhorted us that we are called forth to destroy the works of the devil and to plant and release the Kingdom everywhere we go. She shared, “Every day I want to live it to the fullest. I want to drink up all that I can. Every day is part of our destiny.”

 Our wilderness experience then took us up toward the Dead Sea where we all stayed in a large Bedouin tent inside a small camping area. We had a lot of fun hanging out together and also talking with some of the people from the other tents. We did a lot in the short time we were there. We hiked up Masada, the fortress where Herod had built himself a palace and where the zealots had one of their last hold outs against the Romans. Masada is an archeological treasure and a fascinating place to visit. After Masada, we went to the Dead Sea and the students enjoyed the totally unique experience of floating in water so laden with salt and minerals that you literally cannot sink. It was funny to see everyone with the mineral-rich mud spread all over their skin. We were also able to visit Qumran, the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.

As we drove up out of the desert, we stopped at the home of Rick and Daphna Wienecke to see and experience his sculpture “The Fountain of Tears.” Never have I been more moved by a work of art as I was by this beautiful and poignant depiction of “a dialogue of suffering between the Holocaust and the Crucifixion.” We all took time to take in what was before us, and we were each affected deeply. Our hearts were stirred in intercession, we were moved with compassion, and we were stirred in hope and faith for the final victory in Yeshua.

   

 

Many Blessings,

The GTS Blog Team

Photo Editor: Marissa H.

Blog Writers: Hannah B. and Sandra B.

Blog Editors: Hannah B. and Marissa H.

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 26th, 2009 at 2:14 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.