Entering Jordan

Today we crossed the border into Jordan. We made the journey south towards the Dead Sea (a quick lunch) and then went to Bethany beyond the Jordan. The drive was through some rainy weather but then a fantastic double rainbow where all the colors of the spectrum were clearly visible appeared in the sky. As we drove towards the Jordan River, the guide asked the driver to pull over the bus. Something rare and spectacular that he only sees every once in a while was occurring. The skies cleared and we could see over several mountain ranges a glimmer in the far distance. Jerusalem was in view! Breathtaking to say the least. 

As Carrie Hoye commented--the Jordanians are tremendous hosts. Our guide Ahmed sharing about his faith, the conflict in the area and the prayers for peace that we all share. Jordan is about the size of Oregon. In the last five years, the country's population has swelled, mainly due to sheltering refugees from Iraq and Syria. They've opened their borders to nearly 1.5 million refugees with one Syrian refugee camp with 500,000 people, making it the fifth largest city in the country. As Ahmed said, though, "where else would they go?"

Once we reached Bethany beyond the Jordan, we read of Jesus' baptism and then celebrated communion with the imposition of ashes. Melissa read a rabbinic story that we should all live with two notes in our pocket. In the left pocket, "from dust you were made and to dust you shall return."  In the right pocket a note, "for you the universe was made." Depending on the day and the state of one's heart--both notes ground us.  After receiving communion and the ashes, we walked down to the Jordan River and read Psalm 51 and washed away the ashes with the water. The holiness of the site was palpable. As we turned to leave, yet again the city of Jerusalem with rays of light shining, illuminated the promise of a city of shalom. A picture of that is forthcoming!!

Church built on top of a church to commemorate the site of Jesus' baptism (though it is contested, the evidence here is quite convincing!)