This Desert Encounter was the first of its kind. For Musalaha, it marked our first major association with the student movement in Israel and Palestine Authority areas. Most of the 25 participants were university or college students, and as such, potential leaders both in the believing and secular communities. We were excited to work with these young adults who were at a key stage in their lives, and to develop a relationship between Musalaha and the student groups.

Our group arrived at the big Bedouin tent, where they served us a delicious Bedouin dinner. That night we spent time introducing ourselves to each other, and sharing a bit about our expectations and desires for our time together in the desert. Anis Barhoum, an Israeli Arab from the North and one of the leaders, shared with the group his excitement to get away from everything for a few days, and share this time with them in this place of refuge and quiet.

We headed out Friday morning, together with 8 very "lovely" camels. We were definitely thankful for their services of carrying our bags and ourselves, and most of all for the entertainment that they provided. For the next three days, our mornings were mostly made up of making and eating breakfast, breaking up into small groups to pray for each other and for the day ahead of us, and then beginning our hike. After several hours of hiking, we would stop for lunch and some teaching, and then continue hiking until it was time to stop and set up camp for the night.

We would then prepare and eat dinner, and afterwards, spend time in worship, some sharing and group games and fun. The morale was always high, and I noticed how these people knew how to have fun and especially loved to laugh.

The desert, both in a physical and a spiritual sense, was very much the theme of the trip. We learned much about how our forefathers would have lived practical lives in the desert with their families and livestock. We learned that the more you know about it, the less it resembled a "dead place," but a place where if you looked hard enough, you would find life, both physically and spiritually. This was new for most of us, and many found it very interesting, even fascinating. Using many different illustrations out of the Scriptures, Ray, our second leader, showed us that a spiritual "desert experience" for a believer is, in fact, a good thing. It is a place where the Lord provides without fail, and where the believer can definitely find sanctuary and expect the Lord to meet with him.

Where were the politics? Why wasn't anyone uneasy at all? Isn't that what this is all about? Aren't walls supposed to come down, barriers to be overcome? I was amazed as I watched the dynamics of this group. There was no need for political discussion. No uneasiness or awkwardness unless, of course, one tried communicating with the camels. One of the participants, Danny, who is studying Middle East Studies and working as a researcher for the Financial Times in Jerusalem, said the trip was wonderful in that respect. Not only did it seem there were no walls to break down, there was also peace, quiet and rest that he found in his 5 days away, with such a relaxed group. Martin too said that he came with the desire to work some political issues out, but once there, he found that his desire for unity and good relationships was even greater, and that politics was not nearly as important as being united in Christ.

Our last night there, Valerie and Shadi shared their testimonies; amazing stories of deliverance and God’s providence. Valerie, a Jewish believer from France, discovered the Truth through an incredible experience on her travels through Europe ten years ago. She had just missed her ship from Greece, which had left with all of her belongings and important documents. She felt the urge to jump into a small fisherman's boat, and after having the fisherman row for about 2 hours, they reached the ship, which had stopped because of electrical problems. Some of the men formed a human ladder to help her climb up into the ship. She then knew that the Lord had ordained all that, and that it was time for her to make place for Jesus.

Shadi, on the other hand, had only been a believer for a couple of months. He and his wife, Jamalat, who was with him on this trip, are Israeli Arabs from a village in the North. It was so exciting to see their enthusiasm for their newly found faith. Shadi had struggled for 10 years with serious depression, and yet was trying to lead a normal life. He married Jamalat 10 years ago, and they now have a beautiful 7 years-old daughter. Some of his acquaintances who were believers led him to a place where he could receive help. He and his wife then received the Lord.

I think we all shared the common feeling of how blessed we were to know the Lord; how there is none like Him, and this - our whole reason and purpose for life - was common to all; this is what bound us together.

by Dania Minor