Marhaba from Amman!On Tuesday night (no...Weds morning!) I arrived in Amman, Jordan after a 5 hour delay in my connecting flight from Kenya/UK. Matthew and Mary Ann Bates were patiently (thankfully!) waiting for me at the Queen Alia Int'l Airport in Amman at 1:30 am! By the time we took a taxi back to their apartment in Amman and got to bed, it was between 2:30 and 3am.
The next day, Matt and Mary Ann took me on a tour of a few sites in Amman. To begin with, we stopped by the Amman Baccalaureate School (where they teach) , then we visited the King Abdullah I Mosque, and the Citadel in city center. We also visited the old Roman amphitheatre near the Citadel and stopped for a cup of strong Jordanian coffee (move over-- Starbucks!). While in the square, I ran after a young man that was wearing jacket i recognized! When catching up to him, he spoke no english...but was wearing an old "Y.O.U." letterjacket we used to have in the Church almost 2o years ago! Go figure.
Today, we took a 12-leg bus/van/hitchhike trip to Jerash and Pella in northern Jordan. A great trip visiting the 1st century ruins of the ancient Roman Decopolis city of Jerash...and also the old city of Pella (near the Jordan river). Pella is the site where many members of the Church of God were alleged to have fled during Vespasian's seige of Jerusalem in 69-70 AD. While at the Pella ruins, a group of 6 young teen/adult boys invited us to their Jordanian "cookout" in the grove next to the ruins. They had freshly butchered chicken, lamb, and kebabs ready to cook and wanted us to join them. We did, and had wonderful (if not short) visit with them--despite the language barrier! All in all, a great day. Matt and Mary Ann were great hosts for some true "local touring" of Jordan. Between traveling with the locals, eating shwarma and local kebobs...we had a wonderfully educational and memorable experience!
I want to thank both Matt and Mary Ann for their dedication, example, and fortitude in their teaching responsibilities at the ABS, and the effort to keep the vision before them of their part in the work of the Church! Being here in Amman as a newly-married couple with little contact with Church members is a challenge...but one that they have done very well. Updated blogs from them will be posted occasionally at the http://www.ucgyouthcorps.org/ website in the weeks and months ahead.
After meeting with an official of the Amman Baccalaureate School (ABS) tomorrow about planning for our service project for United Youth Corps next summer, I will be traveling to Israel for the Sabbath and much of next week. Have a wonderful Sabbath!
~Doug Horchak
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