The Gurney Clan is packing and preparing for the Holy Land!

[gurneyhalleck1]

We had a crazy situation. Our bus was going through these narrow streets when, suddenly, this Muslim guy parks his car right in front of our bus!!! He just got out of his car, went into the mosque to pray!!! Our bus sat there trapped like a sitting duck!! We waited like 25 minutes before this character finally emerges from the mosque!

While we were waiting, we see this Saddam banner. Suhaib, our guide, tells us that many small town Jordanians see Hussein as a martyr of Islam who loved and protected the Sunni people from the Shiites and the West. He is beloved and seem as an innocent martyr even though he was a strong man type.

Of course we all rolled our eyes.....

I’m not a fan of the Iraq invasion and honestly think we did far more harm than good, but to think Saddam is a holy man in paradise with Allah??? LOL

I can't make sense of that Saddam Hussein sign...did you ask anyone to explain it to you? Something about "Wafa' Festival (then it cuts off) for the martyr Saddam Hussein", but the only festival I know by that name is Wafa' El Nil (Filling of the Nile) in Egypt, to mark the raising of the Nile to a certain measurement in the Coptic month of Misra. Hmm.

The church is amazing, of course! Wow!

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Thank you, Mary! I honestly was starting to wonder if I’m boring people to death?!

This is so amazing, Gurney! Thank you so much for sharing this with us!

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

It’s pretty surreal, and very encouraging! It blesses and helps form your faith showing a concrete series of locations and surroundings where salvation history took place. It’s amazing!

Beautiful photos! Must be so cool to see all those Biblical places come alive in person!
When I lived out in SoCalif and attended a Lutheran Church, one of our Bible study friends went to the Holy Land and brought back photos(pre-internet days) and described his trip. He said the climate and terrain were so similar to what we had in Southern California, and from the photos I've seen that looks to be true.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

You hit the nail on the head, IIF. All five of us are thoroughly exhausted and ready to come home, a bit overwhelmed!! And blown-away we sure are!!! Transformed? Definitely!!!

Very, very super awesome pictures!!!
I've had many friends visit there and they were blown away from the experience.
The stories they told with such passion and excitement.
A transforming experience in a positive manner .
It seems like it has the potential of being "almost" overwhelming.
Thank you my fine feathered friend for the pictures and updates.
You should write a book about your experience.

 

[Ioustinos]

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Very beautiful pictures! You are fortunate - the Italian restoration team was still completing their work on the pillars and mosaic when I went two years ago so everything was covered. Glad you were able to see their beauty.

 

[whereloveandmercymeet]

Thank you, Mary! I honestly was starting to wonder if I’m boring people to death?!

You definitely haven’t bored anyone!! I’m going to miss the lovely photos and memories you’ve been sharing here. Thank you for sharing them

 

[ArmyMatt]

We had a crazy situation. Our bus was going through these narrow streets when, suddenly, this Muslim guy parks his car right in front of our bus!!! He just got out of his car, went into the mosque to pray!!! Our bus sat there trapped like a sitting duck!! We waited like 25 minutes before this character finally emerges from the mosque!

While we were waiting, we see this Saddam banner. Suhaib, our guide, tells us that many small town Jordanians see Hussein as a martyr of Islam who loved and protected the Sunni people from the Shiites and the West. He is beloved and seem as an innocent martyr even though he was a strong man type.

Of course we all rolled our eyes.....

I’m not a fan of the Iraq invasion and honestly think we did far more harm than good, but to think Saddam is a holy man in paradise with Allah??? LOL

I remember their devotion to prayer when I was on gate guard in Afghanistan. we pulled guard with two locals and two of us, but as soon as the call to prayer came they would stop, roll out their prayer mats, and pray. their devotion to prayer was pretty impressive.

 

[~Anastasia~]

Thank you, Mary! I honestly was starting to wonder if I’m boring people to death?!

Noooooo!!!!!

I think we are all enjoying that we get to share in small part your experience! I for one am having a very rough week at work (just overwhelming and exhausting - great kids though) ... but I barely have time or energy to get online. Your photos are my highlight this week. Thanks!!!!

 

[AMM]

I've been out of town for 10 days but you'd best believe that the first thing I did this morning was come to read the past 100+ posts on this thread and look at all your pictures

 

[“Paisios”]

Thank you, Mary! I honestly was starting to wonder if I’m boring people to death?!

Certainly not boring me - it is great to see and hear of all these places.

Edit: And with (at the time of this edit) 2880 views of this thread, it would certainly appear that there are many others who find this fascinating as well.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Today we went to Mt. Nebo where Moses looked down at the Promised Land before he died. It was SUUUUUUPER windy and cold up there!! Father Matt, I look like Palpatine!

What Moses saw...

Right outside Bathany Beyond the Jordan where The Lord was baptized. It is a very intense place LOADED with Jordanian military, police, checkpoints, etc.

Look on top of the two hills overlooking Bethany

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

The exact spot where Elijah ascended in a chariot

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Tonight we get shuttled from our hotel here by the Dead Sea to the airport. We fly 4 hours to Frankfurt, Germany. Next, 12 hours to California, then, 3 hours drive to our house.

Please say a quick little prayer for Scott, Kate, Luke, and Veronica....for a safe trip home and the strength to hang in there...19 hours tests one’s mettle!!

 

[RobNJ]

Please say a quick little prayer for Scott, Kate, Luke, and Veronica....for a safe trip home and the strength to hang in there...19 hours tests one’s mettle!!

You've got it!

 

[Anhelyna]

You most certainly have those prayers - but I can't help feeling that the journey home , long and tiring that it is with the changes of planes and then getting the car and driving home, is much easier than some of those cold but exhilarating long days that you have had whilst away. Hopefully you will be able to sleep for a good part of the Frankfurt to Cali leg.

Take care and know we are all praying for you and the family to come home safely

 

[“Paisios”]

Tonight we get shuttled from our hotel here by the Dead Sea to the airport. We fly 4 hours to Frankfurt, Germany. Next, 12 hours to California, then, 3 hours drive to our house.

Please say a quick little prayer for Scott, Kate, Luke, and Veronica....for a safe trip home and the strength to hang in there...19 hours tests one’s mettle!!

Praying for you and your family.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Well, I wish such things could happen, but I must say...I’m 6’5”, 260 lbs. I fit into an airline like a sardine. Miserable. Frankly I’m dreading it!!! I practically never sleep a wink. But hope springs eternal....

Thank you ALL for your kind prayers!!!

You most certainly have those prayers - but I can't help feeling that the journey home , long and tiring that it is with the changes of planes and then getting the car and driving home, is much easier than some of those cold but exhilarating long days that you have had whilst away. Hopefully you will be able to sleep for a good part of the Frankfurt to Cali leg.

Take care and know we are all praying for you and the family to come home safely

 

[anna ~ grace]

God speed, Gurney! Bless you, and thank you for "bringing us along"!

 

[ArmyMatt]

prayers for the journey home!

 

[prodromos]

Well, I wish such things could happen, but I must say...I’m 6’5”, 260 lbs. I fit into an airline like a sardine. Miserable. Frankly I’m dreading it!!! I practically never sleep a wink. But hope springs eternal....

Thank you ALL for your kind prayers!!!

You get the seat next to the middle exit for extra leg room.