Wednesday update

Up and at 'um early this morning, we boarded our bus to journey to Petra.  Zafer (attended Texas A&M), our guide, is quite the colorful character, though he does seem very knowledgeable about Petra.   We had heard that there was a possibility of canceling schools in Jordan today because of a massive heat wave they feared would arrive from India, but it wasn't too bad when we arrived.  We began the long walk through an enormous gorge, called a siq, with dramatic colors left from mineral deposits.  As the path snakes around, you would see the results of eons of flash floods and erosion.  Once you leave the siq, you enter an open area where the most spectacular structure in Petra is located, The Treasury.  This is the location featured in several movies, including Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, as you might remember a huge temple-like facade chiseled into the massive rock.  From there, you wander on through endless carved out caves used for tombs, amazing aquaduct systems, and some ingenious designs from this ancient civilization, the Nabataens.  We finally made it to the end of the maintained path to have lunch.  It was here that "the fabulous four," Kathy, Kitty, Julie and Laura, decided to take Zafir up on his offer to lead the "adventurous ones" of our group back via another siq path which would require some climbing and navigating through an obstacle course of sorts. Phyllis and I opted to ride the horse drawn cart back to the entrance, which turned out to be an adventure in itself.  We felt as though we were in a chariot race as we careened back and forth over the Roman stone paths.

We were blessed with a great breeze today, which was a life saver.  The afternoon heat becomes overbearing, but we made it.  We were all extremely grateful for a shower when we made it back to the hotel!

Now that Petra has been declared one of the seven wonders of the world, there is increased interest.  It was certainly worth the effort to see.  You could visualize the nomadic Nabataens crafting their monuments, and even picture the course of the Israelites making their way through the desert.  It was a vivid example of how man has always attempted to secure his own eternity, exhausting their wealth and energy to build what they hope will be vehicles to a secure afterlife.  When you see the eroded, lifeless structures of Petra, it is a sad reminder of how futile these man-made efforts are.  The Nabataens lost all their wealth, gave in to the Romans and abandoned this kingdom that they had spent hundreds of years creating.  It is now sand, dust and rubble, as are all man's attempts to do what only God can do.

Tomorrow we return to Amman where we will get to have one last visit with our new friends and attend a worship service.  We have met some amazing people; they've challenged us as we have hoped to encourage them.  We are so thankful for these relationships and purpose to continue praying for them and expecting more evidence of God at work here and throughout the region.