Camels 101
I clutched the bar of my camel’s saddle with a death grip, ready for a crash course in Camels 101. My family and I were visiting a ranch in the Negev during our trip to Israel, and I was the first to mount. I smiled for the paparazzi, which consisted of my husband, daughter, son, and daughter-in-law. Their phones clicked and the moment was saved to our family iPhone album.
Akhmad, our wonderful guide, stood beside me. “Lean back.” he instructed. I leaned back as my camel lumbered from a resting position to its feet. “Your camel’s name is Olmra,” Akhmad added. “It means ‘long life.'”
I exhaled a breath. With a name like that, maybe we’d survive the two hour trek in the desert after all.
Once my family mounted, Akhmad lined up our camels behind his, then tethered them together with a rope. Is this really a good idea? I wondered. If one goes over a cliff … I chose not to finish the thought, feeling a little better as I looked at Olmra’s wide hoofs.
I began to relax as our camels plodded through the beautiful Israeli desert. The sky was a cloudless blue, the rocky hills hues of beiges and browns. Small trees and shrubs occasionally dotted the expanse of sand that stretched in every direction. Our camels would grab a snack whenever they could reach a shrub.
Though the sun beat down on us, we’d started our ride at four in the afternoon to avoid the full desert heat. At one point, the sun was hidden by a hill of sheer rock, and we rode for a little while in shade. I’m almost certain Olmra turned and winked at me.
On our first water break, we drained the bottles Akhmad had packed for us while he told us more about the camels. They don’t like loud voices, though they make some loud noises of their own! They can run up to 40 mph and are able to go for days without water.
Camels also have a good sense of direction. Akhmad grew up with the animals, and he told us of a vivid memory when he was a young boy. He was lost in the desert and all alone. When my husband asked how he found his way home, Akhmad shrugged. “I didn’t. The camel did.”
What struck me most was the bond between Akhmad and his camels. Each one had a name, and his affection for the animals was obvious. He rode the youngest, most inexperienced camel. Whenever we reached a steep slope on the trail, Akhmad got off and led her.
“In case she stumbles?” we asked.
“No. To teach her to trust me,” he replied.
I thought about his words as we rode. God does the same for me. When the path is steep and rocky, God is with me, leading and reassuring me. When I go through “desert” seasons in my life, He is there, taking care of and comforting me.
When we finally returned to the ranch, I was a little sad to dismount Olmra. She’d been a good companion during my course in Camels 101. We’d had a great ride. I think she enjoyed the trek as well–she definitely was smiling. Or maybe she knew dinner was coming next.
Akhmad gave us frosty and delicious camel milk ice cream, and a tiny wooden camel for our keychains.
When I look now at the little camel dangling from my set of keys, I think of Isaiah 58:11: “And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.” (NASB) The Negev served as a beautiful backdrop to soak in the full meaning of these words. I’ll always remember our desert ride, and the beautiful picture God gave me of His care.
How about you? What has God used in His creation to remind you of His care?
