We spent the day at one of the seven wonders of the world. Hard to know which to gaze at with more wonder – the awe-inspiring rock tombs, temples, fountains and deity shrines of the talented Nabateans and the conquerors cum co- habitors the Romans from 106 AD to the earthquake of 749, or the exquisite creativity of the rain and sun on the huge cliffs of sandstone .         The walk, 2.5 miles down through the gorge past the famous Treasury   still to yield most of its secrets from under the sand, past the road of … Continue reading Day 4 Petra

Dry heat at 45degreesC was tough for all of us after a bedtime of 3am on arrival at the Dead Sea. Mahaba offered us the Greek Orthodox church of St George. Its mosaic map a wonder of the world – now a little fragmented but so ancient and so accurate. A quiet prayerful place. Then food for the body followed by a trial of heat. One and a half miles all told in the heat as we visited the St John the Baptist church, third attempt after the early two were flooded, the third built on an arch to allow … Continue reading Day 2 Madaba and Bethany

Our first real milestone: celebrating the Eucharist in a small flat church room at the top of Mount Nebo. Revd Stephen France led the service with Revd Liz reading and administering the chalice. The hymns Come Holy Ghost and, especially relevant : guide me O thou great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land…when I tread the verge of Jordan, bid my anxious fears subside…. Land me safe on Canaan’s side. Our readings also carefully chosen – Deuteronomy 33:1-10 about Moses, right here, and Matthews Gospel 26:26-29 the New Covenant. There is no conflict here, only people propelled by the same … Continue reading Day 2 Eucharist at Mount Nebo

A sense of calm in the jutting cream rocks and the sun haze over Mt Nebo with its pink oleanders and birdsong . A lizard emerging from a stone wall. The land of milk and honey – milk from the goat and honey from the date. Our guide is descended from nomads – they used to be 85% of the Jordanian population and are now 1.2%. His grandfather lived in the traditional goat hair shelter with goats and donkeys. The grandson was born in the city and longs occasionally for the peace of the desert. He retreats when he can … Continue reading Day 2 Mt Nebo