No sir, I do not have any weapons in my backpack.

Praise God, I got my visa extended for Jordan next month! Since I only got a one month visa coming back to Israel from Egypt last month, I needed to renew it, which is usually done through the Israel Ministry of (the?) Interior. However, according to my wise professors, getting such an appointment takes 6-8 weeks, by which time my visa would have long expired. Go figure. So today I spent a frustrating, long, tiring, expensive (at least for a college student, about $80) day traveling by bus and taxi to cross the Jordanian border and back just for a little stamp in my passport. I must live in a foreign country. I think I'm getting a taste for some of the stuff the average missionary has to deal with.

However, for this stamp I am very thankful, for without it I wouldn't be able to cross into Jordan in three weeks. I was a praying man today, buses were sparse and schedules all fritzed out because it is still the week of Passover, and there were several times that I just knew I'd be stranded somewhere. Also, border security was particularly interested in me since not many tourists spend less than an hour in a country before crossing back in... But it was kinda cool to know that they were watching me, and made me glad I wasn't the bad guy. Thank God that they gave me a long enough visa and I'm not currently stranded in Jordan!

For all my friends back in the states, I apologize for my lack of recent e-mailing, etc. I'm worn down with school work and other responsibilities, although the completion of my latest research paper on Jonathan and getting this visa extended are a major relief. Please be patient with me.

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.
He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power."
-Isaiah 40:28-29

God, give me strength. I praise You that You force me to turn to You for strength, You who never become weary... because I sure am.