Jerusalem Feb 18th

First, Happy Birthday to Paul! He turns 65 in Jerusalem on Ash Wednesday in the church year. Pretty special I would say.

Our normal wake up call at 6:30am. I had been blogging since 5:00am as I am on a mission to share our trip and create it's story.

Looking outside, it was gorgeous! This is a picture over the balcony of our room.

We left our hotel at about 8am the rain was beginning.

Walking to the gate.

A view down the street inside the Jaffa Gate waiting to go underground.

We are about a 10 minute walk from Jaffa Gate.

I have very few notes today as my pen wouldn't write on damp paper. We headed underground.

A mosaic of Jerusalem. Steve is showing us the layout of the streets.

We viewed an ancient home possibly the home of Caiaphas the high priest where Jesus was first brought after being betrayed by Judas. Matthew 26:57 'Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had gathered.' 

A model of the stones we were looking at. As Paul would say 'More stones!'

The rain continued off and on all day, but we were able to pack a lot in as we were aware that they were calling for snow later in the week.

We had lunch in a Jewish pizza shop. No pepperoni and cheese as we can't mix milk and meat and remain kosher. Jane, Grace and Sang Hyuk joined us. It was good pizza, sweet potato and mushroom.

And great company!

 We entered the shop of a Jew and listened to him talk about his faith. He has many groups coming 

each day. It is my prayer that God would open his eyes to see that Jesus is the Jewish Messiah and I believe God will. 

After lunch we saw part of Hezekiah's wall and enjoyed the view. 

A view from Hezekiah's wall that I later took with snow!

This arch supported a stairway that led into the Temple.

We saw Robinson's Arch. This area was excavated quite recently. The ground level before excavation was just below the out cropping of stone. You can tell from the type of stone in this picture that this area was filled with dirt before excavation.

These are the steps leading up to the double and triple gates. It is almost certain that Jesus would have walked on the stones that our guide is standing on.

Professor Stephen Notley.

So we took turns standing where Jesus stood. Some found it very moving.

Me and Joey from Singapore.

From there we went to the entrance of Hezekiah's Tunnel. A water way that Hezekiah's built from the Gihon Spring to the Pool of Siloam to bring water to the City of David in times of war. It is possible to walk through this tunnel which usually has about two feet of water in it. I don't know if I am game!

This is the Pool of Siloam.It was discovered when a road caved in. You can imagine where the road would have been. The pool was much bigger, but that area is now privately owned and they are not interested in excavating it.

Paul and I thank everyone for signing the card, sorry if we missed you! And for singing Happy Birthday at supper! We were blessed!

A night cap in the wine bistro on the 4th floor with a great bunch of people! What a great way to end a wonderful day!