Ephraim

Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews, but departed from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim. He stayed there with his disciples.  John 11:54

Today, Ephraim is called Taybeh (spelled different ways).  After our time learning about shepherding, we went to this town that is mainly Arab Christian.  There is no mosque located here at all.

There is a 1st century house in this town that we were able to see.

 Jim told us that this home was probably similar to a home Mary and Joseph would have lived in.

 The main living area of this style house was built over a cave (basement) that held livestock.  When you entered this home, the livestock area is to the left.

An animal feeding trough, not the guest room, welcomed our King.

You have to climb a few steps up to the living room.

 Grain was kept in the wall.  You would pull out a plug and grain would fall into these holes.

 Behind the wall and up a few steps was the "kataluma" or guest room.

 Al taking a few notes outside of the church at this town.

We were able to use the restrooms by the church.

We found out that in most places, you cannot flush the paper.  You must put it in the trash can.

After our restroom break, we went on to Caesarea-Maritime.