The Jordan River
On Monday we visited the Jordan River and several members of our team chose to be baptized in this river. The river looked much like the Guadalupe River in South Texas. Rich green water stocked with pretty large catfish. Several members of our team commented on the similarity of the Jordan River with the Guadalupe River.
In fact, the word Guadalupe has a connection to this region. Guadalupe comes from two words in Arabic: Wadi and Alyupe. A Wadi is a creek, brook, stream, or river and Alyupe means love. When you put these two words together you get River of Love. So the word Guadalupe, not only used for the River near San Marcos, Texas, but also used to name Latino children, both boys and girls, means River of Love.
There are about 21,000 words in Spanish that have Arabic Roots and 7,000 words in Spanish and Arabic that are pronounced identically. I have heard some words in the last few days (mainly in Egypt but also in Israel spoken by Arabs) that sound just like words in Spanish. Just yesterday I heard the word Roz in a restaurant. This is the word for Rice. In Spanish it is pronounced Arroz. There have been a number of times when I have recognized words in Spanish that are being spoken in Arabic.
On several occasions I have experienced Arabs speaking to me in Arabic because they think that I am Arab as well. Most people guess that I am from Syria. But, of course, I am from Texas. In some ways, this region feels like El Paso and San Antonio.
This region seems so compressed and small. I can see how Jesus was able to travel to Jerusalem, Nazareth, Tiberius, Capernaum and other places. One thing is for sure. Jesus walked a lot. If Mount Tabor is truly where Jesus was transfigured, he walked a long way up a steep hill. He lived a simple life in a small area but he impacted history with his example of sacrificial living.
Even today, the world is indeed small and children who are abandoned or left to fend for themselves in this region are not different from children who need help in Egypt. From this area I have been able to watch CNN or Fox News and I have been able to keep up with the winning streak of the San Antonio Spurs.
On Tuesday we visited Mt. Carmel, Megiddo, and Bethlehem as well as the West Bank. We will continue to explore ways we might be of service to the children of this area. Please continue to pray for us and the children we will meet. Pray that the Lord will develop the resources we need to respond to the needs we will encounter.
Yo Albert - sure you know - but those churches coming together working in Egypt I took them on their first trip there and pushed them to tackle that part of the world. I'm so happy all of this is happening. Several of us are getting involved in the West Bank in some significant ways - when you get back call me. There's some other good news with global engagement - I've found some doors wide open Buckner may want to walk thorugh - Love you Al - Bob Roberts
Posted by: bob roberts, jr. | April 30, 2008 at 07:28 AM
Bob, good to hear from you. yes, magdi spoke of you often and so did we while we were in egypt. i was not aware of your involvement in the west bank. we should connect when i return to braintstorm as well as other opportunities in the world. see you when i get back. albert
Posted by: Albert Reyes | April 30, 2008 at 07:54 AM