Holy Lands Trip; Dead Sea Region, Israel

We also had a great visit to the Dead Sea area. There is nothing like it...really. We journeyed about 1.5 hours from Jerusalem to stay at the Ein Gedi Kibbutz, a community similar to the Moshav we stayed at in Amirim. These communities are self sustaining and usually kosher, vegetarian. They live simply, and we can appreciate that.

Ein Gedi is a beautiful natural oasis in the middle of the desert. David wrote many of his Psalms here and Solomon wrote his Song of Songs in this very place. Go to your Bible and you will see Ein Gedi referenced many times as a place of solitude, rest, beauty and wonder. It was a gift from God alloted to the tribe of Judah for refuge from the desolate wilderness that surrounds it. The children of Israel wandered throughout this Judean wilderness for 40 years.

While visiting the Dead Sea we had time to relax at the Ein Gedi Spa, the lowest place on earth! We floated in the Dead Sea, healing for the skin, and sat in the very stinky sulphur baths, which are reportedly very good for your bones. Many people come from around the world that have skin disorders and arthritis and they stay at the wellness center for a month or so. The mud is also full of minerals and good for your skin.

We journeyed half way around the world to meet a young Jewish girl from Birmingham, AL! We had a great conversation about our Faith while sitting in the stinky sulphur baths! It was a very different experience.

We also visited Masada which is just down the road from Ein Gedi. David took refuge from King Saul in Old Testament days in Masada and King Herrod built a fortress here, with an amazing and sad story as the last stronghold of the Jews before the Roman takeover. It was an interesting place high atop a mountain with an beautiful view of the Dead Sea region.

To see pictures of our time at the Dead Sea, click here.