Hello from Jordan!

Well I was too tired the last two nights to type anything but we have had a great last 48 hours.  First off Scott is recovering well and is back in action.  He stayed at the hotel two days ago to get his arm rested up and is still sore but seems good to go.  Thursday morning we listened to Dr. Deyoung talk about the crucifixion and resurrrection.  It was very interesting hearing his thoughts on Jesus being crucified on the Mount of Olives.  Most people believe He was crucified at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre or the Garden Tomb, but the reasons he presented for the Mount of Olives spot are very compelling.  He has some very interesting biblical arguments and historical data to back up his position.  After listening to him teach we headed out to a few sites.  We started at the Church of the Pater Noster.  This church is interesting,  it has the Lord's prayer on the outside courtyard in over 100 diffferent languages. This is the location where many scholars believe the first church in Jerusalem met the first two hundred years it was in existence.  We then headed over to the area on the Mount of Olives where Dr. Deyoung thinks the crucifixion took place.  It was an area where Josephus (the famous historian) writes that over 500 people a day where being crucified.  It is also the location of the altar of the red heifer.  The significance of everything that took place on the Mount of Olives is truly amazing.  From here we headed over to the Garden of Gethsemane. This is such a touching place.  There is at least one tree that many believe would have been alive at the time of Jesus. 

We then headed back to the hotel to regroup.  The afternoon was free.  Once we were dropped off I decided to explore a little by myself in the Old City.  Jerusalem is such an amazing city.  The old city is divided up into 4 quarters- The Armenian, the Jewish, the Muslim, and the Christian quarter.  It is difficult to figure out where you are as you walk around, because it feels like you are in a large maze.  I finally figured how to get out of the Damascus Gate so I could go over to Rockefeller Museum.  This is Israel's largest museum of antiquity.   You could spend an entire day here but I got a chance to spend a little time there.  I then headed over to the Lions Gate.   From the Lions gate you are very close to St. Anne's church.  This place is really neat due to the acoustics in the church.  Most groups that come through the church take time and sing to hear the amazing sounds within the building.  It was exciting sitting there for a few minutes to listen to some of the groups sing.  Outside of the church is the Pool of Bethesda.  It was here that Jesus healed the lame man.  This is one of my favorite spots.  As I was standing there looking at the pool it reminded me that I am no different than the lame man.  I am unable.  I need Jesus to do what only He can do in my weak and desperate situation.  This is what salvation and the Chrisitan life is all about, our inability and His sufficient strength.

Church of Pater Noster- site of early church in Jerusalem for first two hundred years

Met this guy at a place called Jacob's Pizza- He was a professing believer in Jesus

This is the Damascus Gate- it took me forever to find it

This is Rockefeller Museum

This is the Lions Gate- close to the Pool of Bethesda and Antonio's Fortress

Pool of Bethesda

Friday we got up and headed towards Jordan.  We crossed over the Allenby Bridge near Jericho and began our way towards the Dead Sea.  On the way we stopped off at what many feel is the area where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River.  There have been many churches in this area dating way back.  John's gospel says that it took place in an area known as Bethany Beyond the Jordan.  This very area is known as Bethany Beyond the Jordan.  In fact there were churches built on the area right over the water.  During flooding season the church would be destroyed and then they would build it back only to have it destroyed again.  It really appears this may be the area.  We then went through Amman, Jordan.  While there we went to this Jordanian lunch place.  It was really unique and the food was really good.  We then drove to the Dead Sea where our hotel is.  This place is beautiful.  I wish Ann was here to experience it with me.  It is a spectacular hotel with beautiful views.   This morning as I type we are getting ready to head towards Petra.  I had a chance to backpack a little through Jordan years ago with my friend Josh and this was by far our favorite place in Jordan.  I am really excited to go back and explore some more. 
Hope everyone has a great day!

Scott holding an Arabic Diet Coke

Where we are at the Dead Sea