Two days ago had the opportunity to go on our third field study in Jerusalem and the surrounding area. For this field study we had the privilege to travel up high and get many good views of Jerusalem in order to understand the geography better, travel to Bethlehem to the church of the Nativity, and also to the Herodian.
The Herodian has grown to be one of my favorite locations in Israel. The Herodian was one of about a dozen of Herod the Great's palaces which are dotted all over Israel. He actually cut off the top of another hill and put it on this hill in order to get up high. It was awesome to learn a little more about Herod while finding out the lay of the land why he put his palace here. Many exciting things have happened at the Herodian in the past couple years. Just a few years ago the tomb of Herod was actually found on the side of the hill right next to the entrance. It was something that Josephus the Jewish historian had claimed existed there but the Archeologists had been unable to find. They recently located it and all that is left is the base but none the less it was cool to see.
A very exciting discover has also been made in the last month: the discovery of a theater on the hill as well. It is almost right next to the tomb of Herod and it was a small theater seating only 1000 people at most but still it changes a lot of what we thought of the Herodian, and we know now that it was used for entertainment purposes for his guest. Very cool!
Also while we were there mark had a chance to show his servant heart towards Krystal on Valentines day by washing her feet!
As I sit now in the library looking out the window at the rain coming down on the city; I am excited to be in a land that is overflowing with so much history and background and I can't wait to see what the coming months will bring!
I was going to put pictures of it up but they will have to wait due to the slow internet.
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