Border Crossing: Crossing the River Jordan

This morning began at 6:00 a.m. as we prepared to cross the River Jordan into the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Starting out at 100 meters below sea level at the Sea of Galilee, the day only went downhill from there, literally - we made our way to the Dead Sea (400 meters below sea level and the lowest point on earth). Although the "no-man's-land" between Israel and Jordan along the river is still fruitful, there is a noticeable climate difference between the two nations.

Most of us said we were surprised and even troubled by the immediately obvious disparities between the neighboring nations. One woman in looking out over the Jordan River Valley rightly quoted scripture about Israel saying, "the land flowing with milk and honey". Our tour guides in both countires pointed out one of the major difficulties in the Middle East - water use.

At the border crossing we were not permitted to use our cameras and much of the experience required the fourth fruit of the Spirit. Even though a Peace Treaty is in place between Israel and Jordan and there is a Free Trade Agreement between Jordan and the United States, tension remains - barbed wire fences, soldiers with weapons, and watch towers. We submitted our passports and luggage to be stamped and inspected. I often wonder what this land was like while Jesus and John the Baptist as well as Elija and Moses lived here.