Hi everyone....

I hope this note finds you doing well.  It is hard to believe..but this morning we just cleaned up the dig site (until next time). 

Yesterday, we did travel to Bethany to see the Baptism site of Jesus.  We were also able to see Jericho and the place where Elijah was taken up in the wind with chariots of fire.   It was wonderful.  God has given me enough strength and has kept the pain to a level where I can tolerate and still do some traveling.

We also went to Mt. Nebo.  This was the peak where Moses received the message of entering the Promised Land.   We are going to return to this site today because the gate was closed yesterday.   We wanted to actually hit the point where Moses was.

Until later...have a great day.  We are off to Israel tomorrow.  Thank you for your prayers.

Blessings, Pastor Julie

Hi everyone.....

I certainly feel rested.  It is strange when God opens the opportunities for rest.  Sometimes it is not at our own convenience.

However, last night I did have the opportunity to go to a beautiful restaurant overlooking Amman Jordan.  The food was placed on large tables in large trays.  Mostly the food consisted of rice. In order to eat the food, one is required to roll up the sleeves of the right arm.  After that, you gather around table with other people and place your hand in the food (with everyone elses' hands) and form a ball of food.  The food is then placed in your mouth.  The food was yummy, but I did not eat it in this fashion.  I felt I had enough to deal with, so I placed the food on a dish.  I guess you could say that I "chickened out."  I also had a refreshing lemon drink with mint leaves mixed in with it.  It was very good....but a little goes a long way if you know what I mean. 

Hopefully as the week progresses and I progress, I will be able to share more with you.  Until then, blessings on your journey.  Pastor Julie

Hi everyone....

Please check out this website.....you will see some of the activity going on in the area where we are digging.  The website is http://sara.theellisschool.org/ironage/index.htm

Last evening we saw an exhibition of how the weaving is done straight from the sheep pasture.  It was really neat to see how fabric has been made and still is in some cultures.  

Over the past weekend, we also had the opportunity to see how pottery was made from the very basics.  It ranged from feet stomping the clay to hands gently molding the clay into beauty. 

The people from Jordan certainly show the hospitality and love of Christ.  Unlike many cultures, money is not an issue with them.  They are more concerned about hospitality.

I am feeling a bit better today.  Each day I seem to be recovering a bit.  Hope and pray that I will be in good shape next week for the Israel trip.

Blessings and love, Pastor Julie

It is now Thursday and you probably wonder where I have been.  Well, to make a long story short....I have been in bed most of the week.  Early Monday morning some of the dirt from the "bulkline" gave in and I fell many feet onto rocks.  They tell me I get the award for the best cartwheel coming off of the Tal'Amari. 

They had to pull me up out of the pit in a stretcher take me to the ambulance and then to the hospital.  I was very impressed with the great care I received.  I was able to return home because they have a doctor, nurses, and physical therapist here at the camp.  They have all been taking good care of me.  They say it is the first year that they were so well staffed with medical help.  You see, God provides.

I am unsure what next week will hold.  I just have to take things day by day.  Israel is going to require much walking and right now I am walking with crutches (because of a hip injury). 

Anyway, I am still having a great time.   I am able to sit in the office and learn some administrative duties that surround an archaeological dig.  I have developed a great relationship with "flint."  I have been cleaning it when I am up. 

God is working here.......I can't get over how he has provided during this difficult time.  It is also a MIRACLE that my bones were not broken or that I did not have a head injury. 

My friends are spending down time with me.....which is a blessing.  Well, I am getting ready to close now.  Keep in touch.  Blessings and Love, Julie

I have survived a week.  It is beautiful over here.   We are able to see the sunrise and sunset. How awesome over the city of Jordan.

We have been very busy...but having a great time.  I had a few finds this week during my screening of the material from the digs.  I am anxious to see what the archaeologist says about them.

We went into Amman last evening and had a great time.  We had an entire feast of Jordanian food.  The hospitality was great.  I see Christ in many places over here.  The people are more concerned about the individual than the money.   More than one time..I have had people say....pay what you want....and they are very appreciative.


Well, I have to go now.   I will keep you posted.

Blessings, Pastor Julie

Hello-

It is Monday and I have survived an entire week!!

The desert was a bit cooler today while we did the dig.   I mostly sifted for hidden artifacts such as bone, pottery, flint, etc.  The heat and the physical labor can easily catch up with a person.  However, I am learning so much.   We are actually going through a home that has been buried deep under the ground.  We have found a taboon (oven), cooking pottery, etc.

Over the weekend, we spent time in Petra.  It was an incredible experience to see God's beauty through the desert landscape.  He hiked to the Treasury (where the latest Indiana Jones film was film).  We also went further to see some tombs, caves, etc.
Wait until you see the pictures!!! 

I also had the opportunity to take a ride through Wadi Rum on Saturday evening while sitting on seats placed in open space on a pickup truck.  It was wonderful to see the sunset, the rivels in the sand, petrigraphs, etc.

I will continue to keep you posted.  Please keep us in your prayers.  Some are not feeling well.  Blessings and Love, Julie

Hi everyone...

We arrived in Jordan yesterday morning at 4:30 a.m.  That probably would be 9:30 p.m. (Tuesday) in U.S. time. 

After getting some orientation, we were able to start digging today. 
Digging is a long process.  You dig a bucket (goopa) of dirt. The dirt is then processed through a screen and rocks or unwanted objects are removed.  Bones, pieces of pottery, and flint are removed for observation.

After the artifacts/objects are removed....they are cleaned well and dried. Afterwards, the archaeologist reviews the material to see if the object came from the Early Iron Age, Late Iron age, Persian Empire, or Hellenistic period.  Some selected materials are then sent to museums or sent to Sierra Leone for further archaelogical evaluation.


In our field , we had the opportunity to see an oven that was found.  It is still fairly intact.  There have also been some large rocks with holes in the middle that were used probably as part of a structure for an olive press.  We also had the opportunity to see a shrine that was part of an early place of worship.

I am learning so much.  However, the days are hot and tiring.   We are awakened by the Jordanian prayer call that is sung over the loudspeaker at 4:00 a.m.  Of course, by then, we are getting up and getting ready to go to the desert to dig.

Check next week for another post.  We are leaving for Petra tomorrow and I will not have access to a computer.  I am also required to use someone else's computer because of very limited computer lab use.  Therefore, I could not down load pictures.   Sorry. 

Blessings to all of you, Julie

Hi everyone!  This is my first test for this site.  I am preparing so I can update all of you about this adventure.  I still have about six weeks.  However, much is required during this time.