Tuesday July 27th, 2010

It is our 2^nd day of ministry here in Nicaragua. God has been doing some amazing things these last 2 days and will no doubt continue to do so the rest of the week. We split into 2 groups this morning, with 4 of the guys going to Torre Fuerte to continue with the construction work from yesterday. The church has begun building a roof over an exposed area behind the church, for a Sunday school classroom (their only one). The guys also finished making some tables for the feeding program and a bench for the kids. The guys had help from a man named who came in off the street and they invited him back for a much needed lunch.  The rest of the group traveled this morning to the local dump to minister to the people who sift through the trash. It was a humbling and sobering experience but we had the opportunity to sing songs with the people and serve them lunch.  Later in the afternoon, we did ministry outreach to the neighborhood. The guys got a soccer game going, and the girls set up tables and did crafts and a bible story with local children, (about 30 showed up!). We look forward to seeing how God is going to use us tomorrow. Kate

Monday July 26th, 2010

The team was up early, and by 7AM they were eating breakfast at Casa Somervilla (Doug and Betty’s rented home).  Food, fellowship, worship and prayer set the morning off to a great start.

Pastor Flores from the Torre Feurte Church arrive with his construction crew and before we knew it, Jim, Matt, Rick and Gerry were off building tables for the feeding programs and helping with the steel beams for the new partition at the TF church.

The rest of the team prayer walked, visited families who needed encouragement and prayer.  We ended the day with an out reach to about 15 children in Jessica’s neighborhood.  Jessica a lovely young mom, has 3 young boys, 9, 6 and 4.  Her youngest child, Armando was born with out limbs.  Armando is an extremely happy child and seems to enjoy his surroundings, we have noticed that his family makes sure he gets to experience every part of life that any other 4 year old child would.

Once again it has been a blessed day!  Thanks for your prayers, Adios – Betty

Sunday July 25th, 2010

After a fun filled day of travel, the July Team from Calvary arrived in Managua at 8:05PM.  When they got to Granada, they were greeted with an authentic Nicaraguan meal cooked by our dear friend Roberto. They were able to enjoy their comfortable hotel for a good nights rest in preparation for Monday as they anticipated their first day on the ground in Granada.  What a blessing to have willing hearts to do whatever the Lord may have for them.

Saturday July 24th, 2010

As we closed out our week of preparation for the July team to arrive, we decided to take a trip out to the dump with Ezekiel, an 18 year old who has committed himself to the Lord’s service and has a special place in his heart for the children and adults who live out by the city dump.  The families, who live close to the dump, work there as well.

What could have been a 10 minute taxi ride became a jam-packed city bus adventure for us “gringos”.  About an hour later we finally arrived in the most beautiful place with lush plants and trees, there was a quiet serenity that seemed to hush over this rolling country side compared to the busy hubbub of Granada.  Basically, it seemed like we were out in a jungle.  The bus dropped us off, we started our mile walk to the dump and Ezekiel would stop and gather the children for the activities that he planned for the gathering at the dump site.  On his way, he would stop and visit people, pray for them and at one point Ezekiel took time to teach a deaf and mute teenager some sign language.  I have to say my heart was overwhelmed with the sense of love I saw Ezekiel pour out on the individuals he encountered.

Twenty children joined in our mile trek and finally we got to the dump.  What once seemed lush and green suddenly became acres and acres of stench and garbage. The women were bagging up the recyclables and the men were going thru the garbage as the trucks unloaded the garbage.  I have been told that the long days of work will gain them one day of food and many of the workers feel that they must have done something wrong to deserve this kind of living.

As we spent time with the children and shared the Story of David and Goliath, I have to say, I was extremely grateful. Even though we could not change the living conditions, we could share something that had eternal value.  We could share our eternal hope with them.  We could have confidence that “yes, God will give strength, he will give it to even the smallest person who chooses to follow Him and yes, God will never leave you nor forsake you, and yes if you know Jesus as your Savior, someday we will all see each other again in a place where there will be no pain nor sorrow.”

As we walk out of the dump, I reflected that I no longer smelled the dump, but instead enjoyed the fragrance of the gentle kind eyes and the look of gratitude and joy I saw in those little brown eyes, my heart was filled with joy to overflowing.

Our mile trek out of the dump was cut short as a kind man pick us up and we all got to ride in the bed of the garbage truck with the children and workers. (Believe it or not, this was one of our highs for the day, and a first for all of us). We must have been quite a sight, a bunch of gringo’s riding in the back of a city garbage truck! It was a blessed day, one we will never forget.

While we are here in Granada we hope to continue these Saturday outings with Ezekiel and share these special moments with the teams from Calvary Chapel.

Thanks for your prayers. Addios ~ Betty

Friday July 23, 2010: We are coming to a close of our first week here in Granada, it has gone by so fast. We were able to enjoy a few days of much needed rest in preparation for the next phase of the trip. We know it has been a gift from our Lord.

Our first team will be here Sunday and while we may not be building a “new church building” at the new feeding program, Pastor Flores is thrilled to have skilled handimen and women be able to minister to church and family needs concerning the physical structure of the church, feeding program kitchen, a larger roof for the children and some church families who have next to nothing and are in desparate need of something.  We find it an honor to be able to minister in this way, as it is humbling for Pastor to ask us to help in this way.

As  I ( Betty) sat back and had a few days to observed the culture here in Granada, I began to sense more and more of the spiritual darkness that is trying to take over this city and nation.  In my own understanding, I don’t see how a corrupted nation could turn it’s ways to the Lord.  But then I am reminded that is it not my understanding or wisdom, but that the Lord has a plan, and He has asked us to trust Him and step in obedience to His will.

Once again I am humbled by this understanding; the Lord has shown me that he is doing a work, he is changing hearts and transformation is happening.  Five days ago, a good friend of ours from Granada, who walked away from the Lord and struggles with addictions,  knocked on our door to see Pastor Doug. Since then, he has been coming everyday at 7AM to meet with Doug for a Bible study, and he has humbled himself and walked back to church. He desires to be freed from his bondage,  this is only through the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.  We are humbled to watch this transformation, we know our friend has a long road ahead of him, our prayer is that you would pray for us to have mercy and grace as we foresee a cycle of bondage desiring to ensnare this man.

It is our desire that we, Doug and Betty, will never forget that it is only through the blood shed for us that we are able to be “workmen” for the Lord.  It is our prayer that we would extend grace and mercy as our Lord has poured it out for us.

Oh and one last prayer request would be for my dad in NJ.  He’s back in the hospital with pneumonia, it came up as a real surprise as his health was improving and his strength was gaining.  It looks like a simple case, but one never knows at 89.  Take care and thanks again for your prayers and love and have a wonderful week.   Blessings and Love,  Betty & Doug

July 18, 2010: We wanted to let you know we arrived safely in Nicaragua.  We were blessed every step concerning transportation, housing etc. So many things were up in the air, yet the Lord gave us peace; we moved forward, and now we are in our home at Casa Somervilla. We look back over our travels and thank the Lord for the miracles he did to make everything work out the way it did.  We have a lovely home with 3 bedrooms, a kitchen, and a large area for feeding the teams and our friends from the church. An extra blessing includes a small pool and yes Shaylee (our 13 yr old) has enjoyed it even in the rain. It is rainy season here, and it truly is rainy.

We are praying that in between showers we can still do out reaches with the children.  I was also told that the farmers are praying for a month of dryness so they can plant the seeds for the next crop.  They usually get 2 crops in a year during their winter (our summer).  But the fields have been so wet and they haven’t had the opportunity to plant. We will let you know how things progress.

Some other prayers for this week include:

• travel  safety for our daughters Bri and Tiehl, they are coming in tomorrow night
• for the July Team from CCCB that will be coming down next Sunday
• for the Lord’s leading with the scheduling of the ministry He wants us to do while the teams are down here.
  We will be working with Pastor Flores from the Torre Feurte church and it is our desire to bless him and the ministry that is going on here.
• for good health, apparently the flu has really taken a toll on the city of Grenada and many people have been sick; Pastor said many adults and children from his church have been sick.  The Lord provided us with lots of medicine for the teams to take down… we are beginning to understand why!

We thank the Lord for your love and prayers and will keep updating for the next month.  With Love and blessings, Betty & Doug

As we look back over our week in Butler, we can honestly say we had no idea of the impact that this trip would make.  As leaders we pray for God’s direction for how to best train our young people to put their faith to deeds and action.  James 2 tells us that faith with out deeds is useless. It begins with us as leaders taking steps of faith, acknowledging our Lord in all our ways, trusting Him to guide our path. It is a very humbling thought to know that teens will learn from watching leaders put their faith into action.

Plans are made, applications are filled out, meetings are held, fund-raisers move ahead and little by little a team of 30 is moving forward toward the goal of sharing the Gospel in Butler, PA.  There are spiritual battles of the mind and often the question will arise in leaders as well as teens, “am I really supposed to go to Butler?”  “why do I feel like I don’t want to go anymore”, “how is playing with kids sharing the gospel?”  There are also physical battles and we begin to rationalize that “we are too old to be working in the heat”, or that “the project is way beyond our expertise” and the list goes on and on.

It is at these times that we have to go back to our first calling of saying “yes Lord I want to follow”, “yes Lord, back in January when I filled out the application, I believed you were calling me”, and “yes Lord I will forge ahead believing you started this work in me and you will finish the work thru me”.  These are some of the basic questions that will pop up from time to time, and as we give our thought life over to our Lord, we confess and believe that the Lord that will change our hearts and the feelings of the flesh.

July 3^rd came and 30 of us piled into vans headed for Butler, some of us a little queasy, but we pressed on and took the next steps of faith, trusting the Lord for the power and strength to carry out the deeds; and we were blessed as individuals as well as a team.

We closed out our week in Butler with a community picnic and when we looked back over the week we thanked our Lord for all the miracles He performed and allowed us to be a part of.  We also received a letter from a dear friend and pillar of the community.  The team was able to put in a much needed new bathroom for our friend.  Below you will find her words of gratitude to our Lord, for how He uses anyone who is willing to bring His message of Love to this hurting world.  We praise and thank our Lord for all that He continues to show us.

With Blessings, the Jr. High Staff.

Below are excerpts from a letter from a friend who was blessed in Butler, PA written to the Jr. High Youth.

What a blessing you all have been to me.  First of all the time and energy you have daily put into the kids of Butler is truly a blessing.  Whether it has been making crafts, giving piggy back rides making tie dyed shirts you all have done it with such a sweet spirit.  As someone who lives here and see so many of these kids daily I just so very much appreciate the love you have shown them.

Yet I want to encourage you not to let it stop here.  There are kids like these ones that crave time, attention, love and most importantly need to know Jesus back in your neck of the woods also.  Do not grow weary of doing good and the fire and enthusiasm you have need not stop when you leave Butler.  Keep pressing on.

Ahh then secondly it is so very difficult for me to accept a blessing with out giving something back.  This summer though I am truly learning to be blessed.  I want to be real with you all.  The Sunday or Monday before you all came I had been struggling. Actually my life has been a roller coaster ride lately; on a high then a low, not really where one should be.  But a week before I had called my husband and said I truly can not deal, I can not take it, I am losing it, I want to go to the mental hospital.  Well that did not happen which is irrelevant to what I am trying to convey.

So then a few days passed and I took some time alone at the brown house; while I was there in the back  I made a Lie and Truth chart.

#1 I am unlovable, the truth was that Jesus loved me

#2  I am a nobody but the truth was you _____________are a daughter of the king

#3  I am stuck in my circumstances but the truth was set your eyes on the things above and not on early things.  Well just let me tell you I have truly been blessed this week and have seen that God loves me , that I am HIS daughter and to just keep focused on Him.

I have been able to see these truths because you all have opened yourselves up to God to be used by Him.  No one in their own humanness flesh would labor and toil the way you all have and I am just not meaning Doug, Chris, Mark, AJ, but this heat has been crazy.  I guess where I am going with this is you all have done this with out complaining and murmuring and with this bathroom , oh as crazy as it may sound it was God saying to me I really do LOVE you,  you really do matter and  you need to keep your eyes on me.  He cars about how I feel when she is in a small cubicle showering in a bathroom that is tiny;  he cars, but I would not have experienced or been shown that with out willing people who love he LORD and will be used by HIM and for HIM to touch the lives of others.

Thank you for confirming to me through your openness to be used by God that I am not a  a nobody, I am not unlovable but that I am God’s Daughter and God Loves me.

What an amazing week! We are so thankful for the events and experiences that occurred this week. Our hearts are joining in praise for the many lives that came to Christ, for the compassion flowing out into so many people. Our hearts are breaking for those who have yet to realize the compassion, hope, and love of God. We absolutely loved meeting the people of Butler and pouring out our hearts in construction, service, conversations, games, etc. I am wayy too tired to write much more so I have compiled a list of one-liners from the kids (serious and funny). Thank you for your prayers and we plan on seeing you in less than 24 hours!!

Sean Godwin: Best week of my life

Michaela Savage: My team (’team awesome fire sparks’) grew closer this week

Katie Brown: It was fun!

Ali Kent: Throughout the week, our team grew together. I am so glad to have had this life changing experience.

Brooke Bailey: Best experience and brought everyone closer, especially to God

Shaylee McRoberts: I love my team and learned to ’stuff it’

Julia Aquilino: It was very fun and it was a perfect amount of days

Mady Reeser: It was great to see God working in the little kiddies hearts and I’m glad to have met everyone here, you guys are awesome

Morgan Bonner: It was cool to see how the little things we did for the kids made them so happy

Sophie Kent: The greatest feeling was being able to lead some of the kids to Christ.

Kiersten Godwin: The best time of my life.

Mia Cormick: What’s up with cupcake?

Emily Worth: I’m really glad I came this year. It was really cool to help out and get to know everyone a lot better

Hannah Sensing: An experience I’ll never forget. (Thanks Charles)

Luke Wiley: Full of hills and unexpected turns. Always something new

A.J. Laing: Always wear gloves.

Jon Kirkner: I like getting buried in sand boxes. Elevators are better than stairs.

Ryan Kalegian: Finally something is taller than me (the log cabin). I’m not afraid to take a stand.

Butler Day 5

This is our next to last day. And the heat is taking its toll on the entire team. But Jesus’ strength has helped us to persevere. We finished the log cabin. Big kids (meaning our kids) and little kids alike are loving it. The fence mural is quickly advancing the story of the fall of man and is near in completion. We are down the home stretch with the bathroom project. The students had a great time ministering to the elderly at the Life Center and were quite impressive serving lunch to the people at the Salvation Army. They really enjoy sitting down to dine with those in attendance to get to know their stories and to share the love of God with them.

The VBS continues to be the main attraction at the park. Today the kids learned the story of the Good Samaritan. Though the craft was quite challenging, they were diligent in completing it. We had lots of fun with water balloons again. All the boys are bonding while working construction. During VBS, the older girls have been having enjoying crafts, making brownies and hearing the story of Esther at the brown house. After a hearty dinner and an incredible dessert (your kids are eating well), we met at the brown house for an intimate time of worship and communion along with friends from the community. There were heartfelt needs that were expressed and many were comforted by the Spirit working through many of our team members. It’s sad to think that tomorrow is our last day but we are so thankful to look back on how God is working in this community and in our team.

Hello again!! Once again we had quite a sweaty hot and fantastic day. It was 96  degrees and apparently less hot than back home. Amidst the heat, we still enjoyed all the events of the day. In the morning we again broke off into different groups. We were able to visit the Salvation Army and make lunch for the people there. There were many great and interesting conversations and a man named Pete who just got out of prison after 25 years gave his life to the Lord! At the life center, which is a day care for senior citizens, the kids were able to interact with the people, do a craft, and sing some songs. They had a great time. Some of the kids continued adding panels to the fence mural – today we painted the story of when Adam and Eve ate the fruit in the garden of Eden. We have some very creative kids in our group! We continued building the log cabin and some of the girls had fun sanding, sawing and hammering.

In the afternoon we continued working on the log cabin and started construction on the bathroom for Danette’s house (she lives two houses down from the brown house) and hope to finish by the end of the week. We also had VBS complete with lots of water balloon competitions and it was a great relief for a very hot day. Though there were less kids than usual because of the heat, they were so excited because they got to do crafts, duck duck squirt, piggy back rides and lots of VBS fun. During the teen girl ministry we tie dyed shirts today and plan on finishing tomorrow. We also plan to finish the story of Esther on Wednesday and Thursday.

Right now all the kids are showered and we are hungry and waiting for dinner. We plan on having worship and debrief tonight and resting so that we are ready for another hot day tomorrow. Praise God for what is happening here and thank you for your prayers! Continue to pray for energy through the heat, ministry and compassion for the people we encounter, and God’s love to be so evident in our interactions and service.

Click here for photos!

ONE HOT day today! (But not as hot as you all were at home today Today was our first full day of ministry and we were so blessed to see God moving! Thank you for your prayers because we can see God working through us in so many ways! In the morning we broke up into teams. The first team did construction at the brown house (the ministry house). We are building a log cabin/play house in the backyard for the kids in the neighborhood so some of the kids helped Doug and Mark begin sanding the wood and building the foundations for the cabin. Another team visited with and mowed the lawn of an elderly lady named Rose and her husband. One of the teams helped paint murals on the fence behind the brown house. The idea is to eventually paint stories from Genesis through Revelation. Our team is helping paint stories in Genesis. There were also many other little projects that happened that morning. Even though the Salvation Army and the Life Center were closed, everyone was excited about the events of the morning and we had fun improvising.

In the afternoon we broke up into three groups – we had VBS in the park, construction behind the brown house, and a teen girl ministry in the brown house. Everything went very smoothly and we can’t wait to share with you personally everything that has been happening. Tonight we had some worship, heard some encouragement and testimonies by some of our team members, and shared the events of the day. There are too many stories to tell and I’d rather have the kids tell you what’s been happening with them. Everyone is laying in bed right now with lights out – getting ready to fall asleep. It’s been a great day… thanks against for your prayers

Happy Independence Day! Today we woke up at 7:30, had breakfast, cleaned up the NET (the facility that we are staying at), and had our devos. We then headed to Faith Fellowship Alliance to participate in worship with Tom and Sandy Bowser and their home church. After church we had lunch, discussed details for the rest of the day and the remainder of the week. We then prepared for the night and had some free time. Later in the afternoon we split up in groups and canvased the neighborhood inviting everyone out for VBS and the 4th of July BBQ that we hosted at Shore Street Park (our ministry home for the week). As we knocked on doors inviting people out, we did not have high expectations that many would come to the BBQ.  We then met with Tom Bowser, who founded Fish Bone Ministries which is the park ministry that we will be working with throughout the week. He poured out his heart while sharing the story of how he and Sandy started the ministry here.

At 7pm, we started the BBQ, interacted with the kids, did some worship, and reconnected with many of the people from past years. The Calvary students did not hesitate to jump right in the ministry serving food, playing with kids, facepainting, carrying equipment, cutting watermelon etc. etc. Don’t worry, to cap off the evening we had a spectacular show of fireworks celebrating the nations birthday. All the Calvary students are currently showering off all the sweat from the day’s ministry and rest assured we expect they will be getting a great night’s sleep tonight. Everyone is doing well and we are sooo excited for how the Lord is going to work in everyone this week! We appreciate all your prayers especially for energy and continued openness to the Spirit.

This morning was a little later morning for us.  We were able to sleep in some which was nice for many, especially those who have not been feeling very well.  There are a few with some stomach issues which we pray will not get worse as we anticipate the long flight back home.  We loaded the bus at about 10 am with great anticipation of going back to Israel from Jordan.  There was still residual sand in the air from the sandstorm, cars were covered with sand, and visibility was low.  But off we went.  We went through border control which went very quickly and without any issues as well as we changed buses and got Haim back (Haim has been our driver for the entire time in Israel), which was very exciting for all of us to have him back!!  He is a great driver and has such a sweet, quiet spirit about him.  Many claps for him when we saw him and we were on our way.  As we crossed over the border many of us wanted to kiss the ground. There was a surprising feeling; it felt like we were home.  Yes, Israel has made it into many of our hearts.  Immediately the group began to chatter back and forth and laughter radiated through the bus.  The cloud of oppression lifted and many hearts felt peace which had not been felt in the two days while in Jordan.  The weather was beautifully inviting and the sun was shining.  There was no more evidence of the sand storm!

On our way to Jerusalem we drove through a newer settlement that had been built in the desert.  It was great to be able to see some neighborhoods and get a little window into the Israeli homes and lives. What was once dry and barren is now beautiful homes for many Jews. It was like a little suburbia. It was Shabbat today so it was a bit busy with everyone trying to get home, kids were getting out of school half day, and traffic was pretty heavy.  It was just interesting getting a glimpse into their lives.

After our little drive thru tour, we arrived at the hotel and all got out our luggage and did the needed packing and unpacking, distributing weight, to get ready for going to the airport.  We had 3 hours of free time.  Some who weren’t feeling so well opted to just hang out in the hotel, while others went into the Old City to do a bit more shopping and grab something to eat, perhaps a last Shwarma, or Falafel!!!   Some love it some don’t!!!!

After 5 o’clock we left the hotel and headed to eat our last meal in Israel.  We went to a Lebanese restaurant and enjoyed a delicious meal and some wonderful sharing time with one another.   This journey has impacted each one of us in one way or another.  It was neat to share a few of those things that have touched us deeply, and share the things that are at the forefront of our hearts.  There is no doubt that God has revealed so much to many, but my heart tells me He has so much more to reveal as we go back to our normal daily lives. He will continue to use this journey in so many ways.  I have to ask myself, how is this trip going to impact my life?  What does God have for us in and from this experience?  Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  What speaks loudly in my heart is what Christ did for me; He became sin for me, and for you.  What an AMAZING sacrifice.  And what an honor it is to be a Child of Him, a Child of THE King.  I leave this beautiful land having walked where He walked and seeing where He paid the biggest sacrifice with a deeper love for Him, a deeper understanding of Him, and an open heart for what He has in store for my future.  It’s exciting.  I am thrilled that He saw it fit to have me be a part of this journey with such wonderful people.  And I am excited about the future He has planned for many of us.

We arrived at the airport at 8 o’clock….wow what a LONG process that was. Arriving 4 hours early is a must!  Some were questioned and security procedures were pretty intense.  It took about two and a half hours for the last two to get through.  Their security is very thorough which is comforting.  We walked on the plane and here we are sitting on the plane as I type!  We have an 11 hour flight and then we will be home, home with many more memories, many more friends, and a deeper love and understanding of His chosen people.  We are all SO excited to see our families and friends.

Thank you for walking this journey with us through prayer and following us through the pictures and journals.  We are so thankful for God’s protection over us all these last 11 days.

And thank you to all of my new friends that walked this amazing  journey with Scott and I, Diane, Joe, Steve, Donna, Jeff, Joanna, Dave, Christopher, Marge, Maryanne, Marnie, Mary Jane, Glen, David, Donna, Dave, Heather, John, Mark, Susan, Paul, Gary, Kathryn, Beverly, Marilyn, Dale, Anne, Jeanette, Russ, Staush, Bobbie, John, Renee, Jill,  and Laurel!  What a spectacular group of people that He has brought together.  It has been fun wandering through God’s land with you all……a trip of a lifetime, never to be forgotten.

Shabbat Shalom and blessings to you all, Tiffany

After a delicious breakfast, we ventured out at 7:15 a.m. for a long ride to the one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Petra.  There were several in the group that stayed behind for some much needed rest due to different ailments, including John.  They were missed greatly.  We traveled 3 ½ hours to get there.  The landscape is so barren and desolate which is such a depiction of the spiritual bareness which is so apparent here in Jordan.

We arrived at Petra where we walked around looking at the beautiful, unbelievably majestic rocks surrounding us.  Certainly one can understand why it was given the title of one of the Seven Wonders of the World.  What a creative God we serve.  The stone cliffs towered over us each with different dimension, color and beauty.  God is an amazing architect.  Petra was built by the Nabataeans.  The buildings and structures were carved right out of the rock facades.  One thing we discovered was that the buildings we often see pictures of are really tombs.  They built this city and those buildings to be their tombs.  As we walked through I wondered how God might use this place in the future to protect His people during the latter half of the Tribulation period.  It is speculated, although we do not know for certain, that this is the place God will bring the Israelites to in order to protect them during the latter half of the Tribulation (Revelation 12).  There is such a strong depiction for me in this place of God as our refuge.  It brings to my heart and mind the scripture in Psalm 46, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.”  What an amazing promise this is that He has given us.  My heart rejoices at the thought of this!

This trip brought many new experiences; some were able to ride a horse and carriage, and some a camel.  We don’t get to do that too often in America!!  The temperature was extremely hot.  Water was a must.  All were troopers, and we had a great time!  As we walked through the amazing rocks there were many little kids that were trying to sell postcards and other souvenirs.  That surely tugged on my heart strings.  They were just adorable.  With some help, I was pulled away.  But we were told that a lot of these kids make a decent income which has a negative side effect of keeping them out of school.

We spent a few hours exploring and taking many pictures.  You could spend days there exploring.  There is so much to see.  So, off we went back on our 3 ½ hour drive to the hotel where many look forward to swimming and relaxation!  But when we arrived, the sandstorm restricted our view of the Dead Sea.  It was pretty hard to breath the sand was so thick.

Dinner was wonderful as we just enjoyed our last night in Jordan.  Many heart to heart conversations and much gratefulness for this amazing experience He has lead us through.  Sleep will be sweet tonight, as we anticipate a long day of travel tomorrow.  We will be heading back to beautiful Jerusalem for a few hours of free time, and then off to the airport we go for a red-eye flight back home.  It has been an amazing journey.  Somewhat indescribable! The Bible has come alive in a profound way and a greater love for His people and His land has been sparked.  We are so grateful for His protection over us all.  Thank you for your prayers.  Please continue to lift us up in prayer as we travel back home to our families, and pray for the physical health of us all.

Goodnight to you all.  We look forward to seeing you on Sunday.   Tiffany