Traveling to Zababdeh

 We traveled to Zababdeh today and on the way stopped to see "The Mount of Temptation" where Jesus was fasting for 40 days in the wilderness and tempted by Satan. We also let the girls all ride a camel for 10 shekels each (which is about $3 in American money). They didn't get to go far, but I don't think they minded much as it was VERY hot and the camel was not very happy :(

4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted^[a] by the devil. ² After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’^[b]”
⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ⁶ “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
    and they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’^[c]”

⁷ Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’^[d]”

⁸ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹ “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’^[e]”
¹¹ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Rachel and YL intern Emily

Bethany and YL intern Nam (Bethany said... "Let's look out in the distance for effect!")

Hannah and YL intern Emily... The mountain in the background is the Mount of Temptation

On the way there were fields and fields of date palms. I LOVE dates!

Saw many goats and sheep with their herdsman. Very cool.

This is the land formerly known as Samaria. It is very lush with many trees and crops. Everything up until this point had been very dry and brown and then we went over the hill and saw this.

Finally made it to Zababdeh and went to the YL house that they use here for club and Campaigners and met all of the leaders that will be bringing kids to camp next week! We all introduced ourselves and where we were from, how old we were or where we went to school and how long we had been involved in YL. They had soda and cookies waiting for us when we arrived and had hung many YL signs up as the entrance. They were all so warm and welcoming. YL is the same all over the world... it feels like one big family that we just hadn't met yet. So cool. The interns stayed with families in the community and the next day we traveled back to Nazareth for a few days until camp. It was so very fun to get to meet them all.


John 13:34-35
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."

Romans 12:9-10
Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.