FOT 2005 - Jordan Report

by Louise Kleinbergs

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Click here for a few photos.

MEERHABA (“Welcome” in Arabic) and WOW!

Jordan for a Feast is a must. What an incredible experience and opportunity it has been to spend the Feast this year in Amman, Jordan. Over 200 people from Australia, France, England, Canada, Mexico, Russia, Holland, Cyprus, and the USA met in the Le Meridien Hotel on Monday 17th October to start what would be a truly memorable eight days.

The theme “Ambassadors for Peace” was quickly established and highlighted throughout the entirety of our stay ensuring the spirit amongst the brethren was truly one I
had not experienced before.

We were fortunate to have nine ministers in Jordan with a variety of messages delivered to us. Two that stand out for me were by Cory Erickson and Kurt Hoyer. Cory spoke on what it means to have a “benevolent heart”. He gave a very moving presentation using video clips and other material based on the life of King Hussein, the late King of Jordan, illustrating a king who showed these attributes. Kurt Hoyer, a US ambassador based in Cyprus, centred his message from the book “A Thousand Shall Fall”. This was a truly inspiring story of Franz Hanzel, a Seventh Day Adventist who in World War II managed to keep the Sabbath, food laws and not kill anyone despite being sent off to fight for the German army. He referred continually to Hebrews 11:13 and how we need to embrace, confess and be persuaded of the truth.

We were privileged also to have guest speakers such as Prince Ra’ad Bin Zeid and other dignitaries visit and welcome us to Jordan. They were very keen to maintain links with the church and encouraged us to have the Feast in Jordan every year. (Plans are under way to make this a reality too!)

Jordan was a socialisers paradise (I was in heaven! J). Having all the brethren in the one hotel complex made for a number of late nights (or early mornings) for many of
us. Meals were together and in the evenings one had the option of lounging in the hotel lobby and bars, or dancing the night away at the dance club. For those inclined the hotel also had a gym and fantastic indoor and outdoor pool facilities. Many of us also used the evenings to visit the downtown areas of Amman and do some shopping.

In addition to this the tours organised for us after services allowed for fellowship to be continued in a different setting. We visited some amazing sights including Petra
(where we carved our names in our own caves J), the Dead Sea (where we ALL floated no matter our body size), Mt Nebo (where Moses looked down onto the Promised Land), the Jordan River, and Pella (the site where the Christians came after fleeing from Jerusalem in 69AD). One morning was also spent visiting the Handicapped Centres where the Ambassador Foundation had sent volunteer teachers in years past to work with the children.

Despite the recent and unfortunate events in Jordan I would have no hesitation at all in recommending Jordan as a Feast site. The Jordanian people are very warm and
friendly. The country is packed with such rich biblical history and to spend a Feast with like-minded people is really the best way to see this part of the world. Cory Erickson, the Festival co-ordinator, does an amazing job with the planning and organisation of this site and it really was a blessing to have his experience of living in Jordan and being involved with previous projects and Feasts. If you do ever have the chance to spend the Feast in Jordan it really will be one of your best Feasts ever!