Fadi

Jordan, Wednesday, March 14

Sandy and Fadi at the Jordan River



We’re leaving Petra this morning. Wake-up call was 5:30am. We must make it to the Israeli border by 2:30 this afternoon because that’s when the border closes. Each time we cross a border we also get a new tour guide. Our Jordanian guide is Fadi. He is a Christian Arab, one of the 4½ of the population that is Christian. He is an outstanding guide who with a tremendous knowledge of the history and archeological sites of Jordan. He is talking to us now about the Crusader castle built by the Crusaders in the 12th century. He is also telling us about “The King’s Highway”, a road through Jordan that dates back to before 800BC. We are in biblical Edom, the land of the people descended from Jacob’s brother Esau. Ruth is the most famous Edomite in the Bible. We are headed for Mount Nebo, the place where Moses died. From Nebo we travel to the Jordan River to the place where John the Baptist was baptizing, where Jesus was baptized. Tonight we stay in Bethlehem.

While walking through Petra yesterday Fadi told me more about his family. His name, “Fadi”, means “Redeemer”. Arabs in his church refer to Christ as “El Fadi” meaning “The Redeemer”. It was clear that he was proud of having a name associated with Christ. I cannot remember the name of his 12 year old daughter, but it means “gift” and his son’s name means “Lion”. Fadi’s family history can be traced back to the 5th century. He told me that the Christian population of Jordan is shrinking. Christians are immigrating to other countries. Fadi told me, “Even my brother immigrated to America and my sister to Australia,” and then he added, “because they fear the future… which is in the hands of God.” There was an unmistakable hint of sadness in his voice, but also a clear expression of faith as well. Our trip planners only use Christian tour guides from each country we visit. And the two Christians who have been our guides have faith that is passionate and inspiring. If you are wondering why such a small percentage of Arabs remain Christians it is largely the result of a policy of Mohammad when he gained control of an area Christians were given 3 choices: 1) Convert to Islam, 2) Pay a tax to remain Christian, or 3) Be executed. The people here who continue to hold fast to their faith in Christ down through the centuries deserve our deepest respect, our prayers, and our assistance.

We are traveling north parallel to the Dead Sea through the desert, but too far east to actually see the Dead Sea. We have seen a number of Bedouin people living in tents in the desert herding their sheep or cattle. Fadi pointed out the “Japanese Camels” used by many of the Bedouins… 4x4 Nisan trucks. We also saw a living example of something I mentioned in a sermon March 4. Fadi pointed out a shepherd walking in front of his flock, leading them, not driving them. Elders in 1 Peter 5:1-4 are instructed to “shepherd” the people.