Walking where Moses walked
We can’t tell you the excitement we felt when we realised we were going to be part of the Missionary Ventures Sinai Desert Trek. God has a way of bringing incredible opportunities before us and allowing us the choice to ‘go boldly forward with thanksgiving’.
We set about our ‘plan of action’ and very soon had a rigourous training programme lined up. Hard work, yes, but the benefits were incredible. By the end of the training we felt fitter; more energised and saw some incredible sights in our own English countryside along the way.
After meeting up with the rest of our team at Leeds Bradford airport we flew to Sharm el Sheikh and then travelled onwards 3 hours to St Catherine’s where our trek began. Our first evening was spent getting to know each other – wondering if our preconceptions of the trek were going to be correct. For all of us this was the first time we had experienced being part of an expedition.
Arriving at the Bedouin camp where we would remain for the rest of the week we were introduced to our guides including an armed police officer. We were each handed a bowl, cup and cutlery, “take care of them,” he said, “they are your responsibility for the week.” Bathrooms on the trek consisted of a spade, some tissues and a short walk! Being typically English, some of us waiting until it was absolutely necessary!
Early each morning we arose to breakfast of fresh bread, fruit and honey, which we ate around a table outside our ‘rooms’… just the thing to get us ready for our day of trekking. Arriving back tired very late in the evening to enjoy a meal in a tent cooked in true Bedouin fashion.
Each day the scenery became even more impressive. The days were packed with amazing scenes of rock formations and mountains as we trekked to one breathtaking location after another. Feeling more adventurous as the days went by we decided to ‘go for it’ and conquer St Catherine’s the highest mountain in Egypt, 2.800 meters high! How exciting when we finally reached the summit. The long hard climb was well worth it, and the rewards were unforgettable.
The Bedouins were friendly people, living in modest shacks; we were warmly greeted by them and their children. It was a humbling experience to see their living conditions. The children occasionally ran to greet us presenting their crafts that they had been making and giving us the opportunity to purchase them.
Lunches were eaten under the welcome shade of trees, often in Bedouin gardens. Our guides quickly produced an enjoyable meal of salad, tuna, cheese, fresh bread and hot sweet Bedouin tea boiled in a tired looking kettle on an open fire. These were great times getting to know each other more. A special mention must be of Marcus, our German doctor, without his caring expertise some of us would not have got through!
The grand finale of our adventure was Mount Sinai, or Moses Mountain as the Egyptians called it, 2,285m high and the place from where Moses received the tablets of the ten commandments from God. We made our way to the base at 2am arriving at the summit at 6am just before sunrise, to meet hundreds of other people who had walked up the final 750 steps to the top (this is a regular pilgrimage trip for many tourist people).
What an experience, to be at the summit of Mount Sinai and to watch the sun rise over the mountain tops in the distance, seeing the changing and varying deeper shades of red, before the sun finally peaked over a distant mountain like a volcano to the tune of many people singing praises to God.
Rob, Steve and Carol decided on a Bedouin style descent, by camel, in hindsight not recommended…ask Rob!!!
Some of the highlights:
- Walking where Moses and the Israelites walked
- Visiting the rock which God told Moses to bring forth water
- The burning bush where God called Moses
- St Catherine’s monastery
- Looking over Elijah’s plateau
We would thoroughly recommend this challenge to others and thank God for all His goodness, and for all the people who so generously sponsored us towards the work of Missionary Ventures. Many people’s lives will be changed.
Steve & Carol Halton
Chorley