We started our final day in Egypt before the break of dawn so that we could begin our hike up the Sinai Mountain. We had knocks on our bedroom doors at 1:30 a.m. so we could meet at the bus by 2:00 a.m. After a prayer and song we had a short bus ride to the base of the Mountain. Prepared with flashlights, hats, bottled water and some of us with hiking sticks, we started our hike up a winding, rocky path in the dark of the night. 3 1/2 hours later the ole' folks made it up to the top in time for the sunrise. It's hard to describe the feelings we all had as we looked out over this magnificent view. Once everyone had arrived we gathered and remembered our great Prophet Moses who received the 10 Commandments in this spot and then began to sing hymns of praise to our Almighty Father in Heaven for His amazing creations. There were other hikers who had made this trek in the middle of the night and were singing and praying in their own ways but when our group of over 90 started to sing the hymns in beautiful harmony many gathered around and took pictures and joined in with us on "How Great Thou Art." There was hardly a dry eye when we finished. It was also a special moment for 2 of our students who had come on the program good friends but became engaged up there on the Mountain.
Very tired but so grateful to have made it to the top!
We are in this group of students who were resting before the hike back down.
Grateful to be together in this holy, sacred place
Seeing in daylight the path of this rugged, barren mountain we had come up in the DARK made us realize what we had accomplished...and so grateful for the privilege to be where Moses received the 10 Commandments.
Very tired but so grateful to have made it to the top!
We are in this group of students who were resting before the hike back down.
Grateful to be together in this holy, sacred place 
Seeing in daylight the path of this rugged, barren mountain we had come up in the DARK made us realize what we had accomplished...and so grateful for the privilege to be where Moses received the 10 Commandments. Thankfully, we were able to all make it down safely and as we boarded the buses for a long trip back to Jerusalem there were smiles on the faces of our tired students and faculty as we reminisced about our amazing experiences. It was late in the evening when we arrived back to the Jerusalem Center and we were all thankful to be safely back. From all accounts this was one of the healthier groups of students. We give prayers, the students following good advice on eating and drinking safely and a little bit cooler weather (it was still pretty hot) the credit!
It's funny though, the next day Dad had to suture a girls heel, take care of a fellow with a bad sprained ankle and he has had students with sore throats and coughs coming by our apartment.
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