The Power Of Love
Trip Start
May 13, 2006
1
16
25
Trip End
Jun 13, 2006
Arad,
Israel
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
I feel so far away from everything I know. This world is so different from mine. Beer-Sheva is NOT like Jerusalem where Judaism is more important - here people are living and surviving. Why would anyone live here? This place is remote. I feel lonely out here - maybe I am just tired.
Today it is hot 90 already and it is 9am - we are driving out to the Wilderness of Zin. A hike up a canyon on the edge of the Wilderness. Hot! Water is a valuable resource here.
We hiked up Avdat ruins
Camel Donkey
. I met an interesting person there - I wish we could have talked more. We were climbing down the ruins when above us we heard singing and out popped a black man - screaming his song to the sky "The POWER of LOVE"- very soulfully in English with an accent. I stopped to talk to him for a little while. His name was Patachya (which he told me meant "whom God has set free"). He was from Pittsburg but had lived here for 30 years. He wanted to "get back to his roots" so he was here in the desert working by cleaning up garbage. He was happy and intense. It was hard to carry on a conversation as he would break out in song periodically. He shook my hand by grabbing my wrist tightly and saying "God go with you!" with that he was off briskly to pick up more trash and continue his song. This place is the desert. There are people out here - the Bedouins. The wandering people who are shepherds and gatherers. The have pitched camps here and there - we pass them on the road - their kids playing or out with the flocks. They have no playgrounds, chuck-e-cheese - but they play.
I have too much of everything. Simple. Desert life makes one appreciate the simple things - water, shade, toilet, food. Our lunches have been primarily pita and some sort of salad to put on it - apples - carrots - humus - stuff I would not pick in the store in America but out here you eat what you get. Again I find myself stuck on myself. I was talking about simple desert life now I am complaining about eating carrots. I am a slave to my desires.
Out here in the Negev desert is where Israel "wandered" after leaving Egypt (Num 20:5) and I can understand now why the Israelites complained. I complain too - even after I am provided for time and time again. "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" Jeremiah 17:9
Comments
Patachya sounds like Grandaddy Sloop!!!
Mike- THe girls loved the picture of you and your new friend. When I read about him I instantly thought of my grandad- so free and full of JOY!!! One whom God has set free- How fantastic. sounds like a good day.
I'm ready for simple
Mike- remember our Lake Hart days? Really bad furniture and just the essentials. I'm ready to clean house- Let's keep it simple so we can love Jesus and eachother. Can I keep all my pictures? :)