Dear praying friends, here is Passover hike report and thank you for your prayers:
Day 1:
We the prayer team stayed back at Marianna’s house to worship and intercede this day, having heard that the hike would be quite strenuous.
We prayed especially from Is. 40:9-11, that God would disciple and strengthen these hikers into His mighty messengers, while also caring for their pain and struggles:
You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain.
You who bring good news to Jerusalem,[a] lift up your voice with a shout,
lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!”
10 See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm.
See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.
11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart;he gently leads those that have young.
Leaders reported: a sweet spirit of inclusion and comaraderie, with the stronger hikers always turning to help the weaker onesno injuries whatsoever on this day, despite the challenges of the climb: some portions were straight up and down on metal ladder rungs forged into the canyon walls.while resting in a narrow canyon for lunch, hikers heard a message about King David being found in narrow, constricted circumstances, and his utter reliance on God.at another break, each hiker sat alone and opened a prophetic word with scriptures prepared especially for them. Many were very touched and encouraged by the accuracy of these impressions, lovingly prepared by a new intercessor. the hike then ended with a home-cooked meal brought to the last hike stop. Having eaten their fill, hikers went home to sleep, eager to return for day 2.
Day 2:
More of the intercessors joined the hike this day, and wow, did I, Sandi, feel my age! (I love to walk. I walk and pray a lot in Austin and for long distances, but this was in a completely different league).
An example: several times, one young father leapt up the rocky crags with his 18 month-old strapped to his chest, while I slowly, gingerly made the same ascent, searching out every secure hand and foothold possible. Of course, I wasn’t alone in this, and we, the “slow team” were again beautifully helped along the way by the “leapers.” They boosted, supported and dragged any of us up who needed it, every single time. They watched over us very well!
Other highlights:the desert landscape of the Negev is truly stunningwe saw what some say was the well Joseph’s brothers dropped him into. (!) Probably all we can really know is that the well dates to that general time period.we ate lunch in the valley that Elisha prophesied God would fill with water, “without rain or wind,” so that Israel’s armies wouldn’t perish of thirst in their battle against Moab (2 Ki 3). This miracle, Elisha said, was an “easy thing” in the eyes of the Lord. Very good to remember this in these trying days for Israel.we made new friends and deepened previous relationshipsfinally, we ate a 2nd home-cooked meal of scrumptious Korean food at the hike’s end, prepared by super-servants, Doung Ku and Lina. We finished these 2 days tired and happy, with close fellowship and just one minor toe injury across the 2 days.
We are deeply thankful for your prayers!
Sandi for Streams in the Desert