Easter Break

It is hard to believe that April is almost over. In fact it hardly seems like I had an April, hah. But here it is the 29th and we are about to head into May...time does fly. I have had a pretty incredible time these past couple of days. Sunday was Easter over here and one of the team's kids was going to be baptized in the Jordan and Jay and Kim are really close to them so they asked us if we could go and so we spent the morning down at the Jordan river. I never thought I would be able to say that I worshipped the God Almighty in the very places where His son was present. It was awesome! Driving down there Jay and Kim were telling me a bit about where we were located and so we are on the side where the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years...it was crazy to look out at the actual terrain that they lived in...actually some Bedouins still do; don't ask me how but they do. When we got there we had to wait for the others to arrive who were also getting baptized and then we entered into the "sight" were they think that Jesus was baptized. It's a bit sad because there is a big Islam church right up from the spot but we were the only people there so we just sat on the steps and heard a couple of testimonies and sang some songs and then went down to the river. It was so crazy because you looked straight across to the other side and you are looking at Israel and their buildings with all of their flags flying in the air. They have guards posted so that you can't just cross over into Israel. You could also see the city of Jericho from the sight. My mind was amazed :)
Kim and the kids are on Easter break right now so yesterday we went to the city of Jerash. That was SO incredible too! The ruins that are there from thousands of years ago are so awesome! Almost the whole amphitheater is still standing and in pretty good condition and they had guys in there playing the bagpipes and some of the Arabs were dancing around and stuff...it was such an awesome experience. As we were walking up a hill where you could kind of see everything I was just left speechless. To actually be in a Roman city like that and think about all of the history that happened there...man! I mean there were tons of columns that were still standing and entry ways and even an original road where you could look at the stone on the ground and see marks left from all of the chariots that road over them! I mean I can't even describe it. Salem and Justice love to climb on all of the "knocked down stuff" as they call it :) While looking at Artemis' Temple there was a group of Arab girl students and they immediately were swarming me, Jay and Justice (Kim had gone to sit down with Salem) and they wanted to know my name and where I was from and they continually wanted to take pictures of and with me. I felt like a movie star haha...it was insane! I walked away to find Jay and I found Justice surrounded by the girls as well and they were all amazed that Jay could speak English and they were laughing there heads off at him...they think that we are fascinating because we aren't from there and of course we are white and speak English mainly. So the girls continued to follow me and take picture after picture with me and then we went back out and they followed us back to Kim and Salem and then they were all talking to us and taking more pictures...and THEN when they were supposed to be leaving they asked if I could go with them..haha. It was pretty much insane and one of the most unique things I have ever experienced.
Today I went with Kim and visited an Arab woman that lived across from them at their old apartment. It was a really cool cultural experience because I was able to see the inside of their homes and what that all looks like. I thought it was really beautiful! They love to decorate elaborately...especially the Salon which is like the entertaining room for the men or certain guests. She served us Arab tea and coffee...I really liked the tea because they serve it sweet and normally put mint leaves in it. The coffee I much prefer to stick to our American way :) After that we went to the doctors and I saw an ultrasound of the baby :) :) that is just so incredible to me!
So my week has been pretty busy so far and it is only Tuesday, hah. Thursday we are going to Petra and that will be an amazing adventure!! I will ride a horse, a donkey and a camel all in one day haha. Can't wait!
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x228/jmkettenring/Amman%20Jordan/