Orientation and a walk through the Old City

October 22

I had a good night of sleep and woke up refreshed and ready to go! We met our Professor today, were introduced to each other, and toured the campus.  After lunch at the campus cafeteria, we began our walk through part of the Old City. It is called the City on a Hill for a reason! Steps, steps, steps, up, up, up! Amanda Kelly, I can't thank you enough for your exercise class and encouragement. I would have been struggling without this  past year of physical preparation.  We went to the archaeological site of the 1st century temple. There are some original steps there from the time if Jesus. People had to walk up those steps to get in to the temple. Jesus, the apostles, Mary, etc...would have actually walked there. Very moving experience for the group.  From there we went to the Jewish Quarter where the aristocratic Jews would have lived during Jesus' time. Most likely Caiaphas, the Jewish high priest lived in this area. Therefore, Jesus would have been brought here for the Sanhedrin trial.  We also went to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. There are many thing there that are said to be authentic to the crucifixion, but can not be verified. However, it is known for sure that the crucifixion took place in that general area. The highest stone on that hill has traditionally been said to be where the cross was placed because the condemned were placed on the highest spot for all to see.  We were able to kneel there a reach through an opening and touch the stone. I thought that would be a good place to lift up some names in prayer. Some of you know who you are. From there we entered the shop area and were introduced to Shaban. He is a shopkeeper that has a relationship with the college and is recommended to use for exchanging money, buying from, or recommending a shop that has an item you are looking for that he does not have.  He gave us all a cold drink and was very gracious. Building long term relationships is very important here and he is a friend of the college, therefore we are his friend now also. Pretty neat,I now have an Arab shopkeeper as a friend for life. Tomorrow will be another strenuous day so I am off to bed. I am enjoying the comments. Thanks for checking on me. I feel really safe in my group and am having a wonderful and meaningful experience. One more thing, the power was out all day at the college and class went on as usual. Just without PowerPoint.  They didn't 't miss a beat..

Steps of the Temple