back in Jerusalem....thank God.

the last time i said my piece, we were in Petra, Jordan. well, i, along with my group, made it back into Israel after a tedeaous process at the border crossing. some sad news though....my viewfinder on my camera has cracked :( so i can't see what i'm taking a picture of!! but, i am praying that the Lord of Lords and King of Kings will miraculously heal it!! why not eh?!?! anyway, about 3 hours after we arrived at our hotel in Jerusalem, the rest of our group showed up, officially launching our 3 week escavation of the Holy Land!!

now, today we had a great day. started out at the Jerusalem University for some lecture and orientation. we then went around some Holy sites and walked into the old city. Jerusalem is separated into the Old City (where our hotel is at) and the New city, which is very modern and reminds me, quite frankly, of America. so, we toured the Old City today. there were a lot of cool things, but i wanna focus in on a couple of powerful places we went to.

the Church of the Seplucher, was an amazing experience. we were taken to where Jesus was crucified and buried. also, this Holy site also holds Joseph of Arametheas' actual burial site! let me say....this was one of the most emotional experiences i've had in a long time. we are going back to soak it all in a little better...hopefully with less people around. i cannot explain what i was feeling as i stood where Jesus, it is believed, shed His blood for my sins. i get choked up just thinking about it. there was, also, a replica of the slabe where Jesus was taken off the cross and cleaned up. furthermore, there was a replica of Jesus' tomb right where he was believed to be buried. how powerful!!! to be right where Christ was!! it is so easy to forget the price that Christ paid, and this experience reminded me of how hardcore Jesus' death was for us....i will be back to explain a couple other great things. gotta go eat :)