Cool Springs in the Desert and Greek Orzo Salad

Whew! it’s sizzling out there today! At least, here in Kansas City, it is. These warm temperatures remind me of our trip to Israel in 2015. We were there two months from May to July. July was ha.. ha.. ha..ha.. hot!

Our trip was amazing…we visited the old city of Jerusalem and the small towns surrounding it. We traveled from Dan in the North to Eilat in the South. We ate fresh baked pita bread, falafel, chicken schnitzel and chicken shawarma. We swam in the Dead, the Med (Mediterranean) and the Red seas. Out of all the things we did and places we visited, the Judean desert and nature preserve of En Gedi was the miracle we weren’t fully prepared for.

Located just West of The Dead Sea and South of Jerusalem, En Gedi means “The Spring of the Goat”. It’s an oasis of beautiful spring-fed streams and waterfalls amid the dry, hot, sandy desert. When you enter the national park where En Gedi is located, look up at the rocky precipices and breathe in the dry desert air, you would never expect to find pools of crystal-clear, flowing water tucked behind the cliffs a few kilometers away. It’s nothing short of breathtaking to discover, and it seems almost too good to be true… but it is so gloriously true!

En Gedi is mentioned several times in the Old Testament. It’s where David took refuge from King Saul’s persecution and where the Henna flowers blossom that Solomon compares his beloved Shulamite to in The Song of Solomon. When we visited En Gedi, we had been schlepping (traveling a lot) and shvitizing (sweating) our way through the Judean desert. The pools and waterfalls were just the thing we needed to revive ourselves. The beautiful thing about En Gedi is there are no restrictions on who can enter the park or where people can swim. It is an uninhibited, freely accessible slice of heaven awaiting its visitors, inviting them to drink deeply of its satisfying and refreshing waters.

Our children squealed with delight as soon as we came upon the first pool with a 9-foot waterfall. They stood underneath the rushing waters and refreshed themselves, joyfully laughing and celebrating its gift. They spent almost an hour sitting in the shallow pool, turning over small rocks and stones to discover the different textures and colors.

When we finally decided to venture into the park further and climb the rocky hills to the next oasis, we noticed we weren’t alone. As we gazed upward toward the high cliffs just a few feet away, we saw an ibex perched on the ledge like a statue, its long, curved horns protruding proudly from its head. We caught some wonderful pictures of this beautiful friend before walking further. When we made it up the hill, we discovered a larger, deeper pool with more waterfalls, and several people swimming. We stayed in the cool, refreshing waters all afternoon, until it was time to finally leave and have dinner.

(Speaking of dinner…Mediterranean Greek Orzo salad with crisp, cool cucumber and kalamata olives, seasoned with Artza gourmet salt is starting to sound like a plan.)

Ok, back to En Gedi…

Whenever the trials of life start to heat up around me, I remember the miraculous oasis of En Gedi.

I remember how the fresh springs and waterfalls are situated right in the middle of the scorching hot, dry, desert as a beautiful reminder of the “living water” always available to us.

While David was hiding there from King Saul’s relentless persecution, he penned the words of Psalm 63:1, “Oh, God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.” Imagine how David must have felt running for his life from someone he intended no harm. His faithfulness had won him nothing but trouble and King Saul’s jealous threats, but instead of giving in to bitterness and resentment, he cried out to God. Ever been there? I know I have.

Even though life can feel like a barren desert, we don’t have to wear ourselves out schlepping and shvitzing along the way. We can do exactly what David did. Cry out. To God.

There’s a spring of living water just beyond the rocky crevices, always waiting and always available. All you need to do is come. The desert may be dry and hot but it also just might be the place where you find surprising springs of refreshment!

Is your soul thirsty and dry from the troubles of this life? Why not come to the one who can refresh and revive you? The living water Yeshua offers brings joy, peace and salvation. There are no restrictions. Just an open invitation. Whoever is thirsty, let him come and drink deeply from the living waters of life!

“Whoever is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me as the scripture has said, “From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.” John 7:38

Now for that dinner…here’s a quick, easy recipe to cool you off. Enjoy!

Greek Mediterranean Orzo salad

• 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta

• 1 English cucumber, diced (Persian cucumbers work too)

• 1/3 cup diced red onion

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 3 tablespoons chopped flat leaf parsley

• 1/3 cup chopped kalamata or black olives

• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
• 2-3 dashes of your favorite Artza gourmet salt from Israel (see the banner at the top of the Homepage to place an order and receive 20% off)

Vinaigrette

• 1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• Artza gourmet salt of choice and fresh ground pepper to taste

Instructions:

Cook orzo according to package directions. Cool and drain thoroughly. Mix vinaigrette ingredients in a small bowl. Add dressing, diced vegetables, herbs, and olives. The feta cheese is optional. Mix and refrigerate for at least an hour. Pairs well with Greek meatballs or Gyro sandwiches, lemon chicken, or anything else!