No one: Hey, it would be fun to revisit your trip to Egypt, Jordan, and Israel in 2019. For the next few days, you should post letters describing each day.
Me: Say less
Dear Friends,
I pray this letter finds you well and filled with God’s grace. I write to you from the heart of Petra, a place of wonder and awe that echoes with the stories of old, much like the passages we’ve read in the Bible.
Today, our journey led us to Petra, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, nestled within the rose-red Seir mountains, a place mentioned in the Book of Genesis. As we embarked on our tour, I couldn’t help but marvel at the biblical connections woven into the very fabric of this ancient city. Along the way, we encountered Aaron Peak, the highest point in Petra.
Our footsteps echoed through the narrow ‘Siq’ passage, the main entrance to Petra. This path, carved by nature’s hand, led us deeper into the heart of history. As we journeyed further, we beheld the monumental Treasury, its majestic façade a testament to the ingenuity of ancient craftsmanship, a sight reminiscent of Indiana Jones’s tales. Beyond, the landscape unfolded, revealing the grandeur of Petra’s theaters and tombs, each a testament to the enduring legacy of a civilization that once thrived amidst these rocky crags.
Our afternoon was spent contemplating as we boarded our motor coach, taking in the panoramic vistas of Petra’s outer environs. The heat of the desert sun reminded us to drink deeply from the well of life, just as Jesus offered living water to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:13-14).
Jordan, with its majority Muslim population and Christian minority, is a tapestry of faith and culture, a reminder of the diverse ways God’s grace manifests in the world. Petra began to thrive as early as 100 BCE and would eventually be abandoned around 800 CE. It bears witness to the ingenuity of the Nabateans, who borrowed architectural styles from diverse cultures to create a city unlike any other.
As I sit here, surrounded by the ancient stones of Petra, I am reminded of Psalm 121:1-2, “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (ESV)” Indeed, in this place of wonder and mystery, I am reminded of God’s enduring presence in every corner of creation.
With love and blessings,
~PW 🌮🛶
Phillip W. Martin 
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