Whatsoever |
Whatsoever |
Extracts from a journal - recording a journey in the Sinai desert with school girls, teachers and Bedouin guides. A journey for our times Living in Community In the desert you must live in community. We were seventeen people : an Egyptian guide, a leader from the tour company, three teachers and thirteen girls In this community all have a task, each plays a part and can then enjoy relaxed cooperation. Mix of cultures Tonight was a birthday celebration for one of the Bedouin, Amir. There were makeshift token presents created and then together singing, nursery rhymes, bedu repetition songs drumming on a plastic container, hokey cokey and mad dancing. Such a strange clash of cultures by firelight on Halloween. Then we reached All Saints day – safe in the Lord’s hands again. One of the girls is frail today but wants to continue on her camel. As we wait preparations go on around us: saddles on camels, loads assembled and arranged, English women perched on top. There was a long ride in the afternoon, over and up; dark craggy valleys then up steep paths that the camels somehow manage, even though complaining. We stopped at the top and quietly took in the view: wide and far and still and empty. Then we travelled down, gradually, slowly into sandstone. Gathering of clans We walked the last part of the path, watching rocks turn pink and red in the sunset. We came to a sheltered valley. Many jeeps had arrived. A gathering of the clans, it seems: Bedouin, us and two English doctors. A feast is prepared: a lamb slaughtered and boiled and served with rice and tomatoes and cucumbers. It is boney and fatty but where there is meat, very tasty. The elders sit and put the world to rights. The fleece is left (ready to be removed in the morning) Climbing the mountain We were climbing Mount Sinai, the mountain of God. It was hot and steep, not that far or difficult really, but daunting. The rules of the climb were clear – all stay together. The community of girls manage this together by sharing loads; talking to distract from problems; going at pace of slowest; the frail went at the front so surrounded; stoping frequently for water; leaders were at the front and back; glorying in achievements; one wanted to stop but all carried on; looking up occasionally to see where we were going; keeping to short term goals; looking back often to marvel at how far we have come; asking each other if we are OK. Context of the Bible
After leaving Sukkoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. Later after the 10 Commandments have been given they set up a portable shrine or tabernacle to keep them there. And God’s presence was signified by the cloud. Exodus 33:9-10 As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses. Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent
1 Comment
|
WhatsoeverThe posts are 'postcards' on my journey through faith and art. The name 'Whatsoever' comes from Philippians 4:8 in the Bible : Categories
All
Archives
May 2024
|