Finito (or Just Beginning)

It is hard to believe that this ten day journey is over. It seems as though we just pulled out of the church parking lot to begin the travel portion of the Footsteps of Faith experience, and yet here we are on the bus heading back to Second Presbyterian Church. There is a mixture of emotions and thoughts as we make this trip home. 

I am thankful for these amazing days that we have spent together. 

I am overwhelmed by the openness of this group and the manner in which they lived and learned together. 

I am saddened that this iteration of Footsteps of Faith will never be replicated. 

I am full of the blessings this group of seniors has had on me and the whole church. 

I am excited for the way in which these young people will live into their callings as people of faith. 

Here are the reflections of the students as we begin the next chapter of our journeys transformed by the things we have seen and experiences we have had. They were asked to reflect on the trip in one word or phrase as we head home.

Unforgettable 

Blessed

Petrichor - the smell and feeling after it rains. The nice feeling that something beautiful is about to come

Spiritual calling

Life changing

Timeless

Impactful 

Community 

Answers many questions - it connects us better to the people and our faith but also brings questions to mind

Unreal 

Thought provoking

An amazing trip filled with many new friends

This trip is like a puzzle: The pieces are constantly being put into place, but you can't fully appreciate how powerful it is, until it is complete.

The fire of my faith has been re-lit 

Celestial

Enlightening 

Eye opening 

Experience that connected so many aspects of my faith into one

Incredible experience

Prepared to take on what's next

Thank you for your prayers as we have journeyed together. You have made this happen. 

Day Ten - We Are Full

We are full after a day in the Roman Forum, Colosseum, Pantheon, St. Paul's Outside the Walls, and Piazza Navona. 

We are full after a trip that has changed us in many ways. 

We are full of good food, tasty gelato, and unforgettable experiences. 

We are full of love for one another and growing relationships. 

We are full of the grace of God and the evidence of God's mercy. 

We are full. And it will take awhile for us to process everything. Please be patient with us as we return. This has been an amazing transformative once in a life time experience. This has been a genuine joy. Thank you for making it happen and praying with us along the way. 

Here are some pictures from today in the Forum, the Colosseum, St. Paul's, and Piazza Navona. 

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow. 

Day Nine - Vatican City

There is no way to capture the impact of this day. 

One student said, "My faith is reignited."

Another said, "This is the first time that I really understood that it doesn't matter if I have it all figured out."

And still another, "I am thankful for each one of you."

And yet one more, "After being in the Sistine Chapel, I know what I am being called to do."

These are only a few of the comments from tonight's sharing time before communion. Each life has been changed. 

Today was Vatican City, the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica with our guide Fedora. Wow is all I can say. This experience is more than can be imagined. 

Tomorrow is the Roma Forum, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, St. Paul's Outside the Walls, Piazza Navona, and a farewell dinner. Please keep us in your prayers and see you on Thursday. 

Day Eight - Safe in Roma

We have arrived safely in Rome. 

Quick trip to the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. Quick gelato run. Amazing pizza dinner. Evening walk to the National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II. 

Bedtime in preparation for a big day at the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. 

Glad to be in this amazing city. 

Thank you for your prayers. 

Day Seven - the Journey to Ephesus

Today we set sail on a private ferry to Turkey. We were greeted by our incredible guide, Nam. 

We then headed to St. John's Basilica in Selcuk near Ephesus. From St. John's we could see the ruins of the Temple of Artemis (one of the seven wonders of the ancient world), a crusader castle, and Isa Bey Mosque (the mosque of Jesus). Tradition says that the location of St. John's was the final resting place of the John the Apostle. 

Following this visit, we went to Isa Bey Mosque. This mosque is named after an imam named Jesus. There we learned about Islam and got to experience the beauty of this 14th century building. 

Then lunch! One of the highlights of the trip. Most of what you see on this table are vegetarian dishes. And everyone ate themselves silly!

Finally, we went to the ancient city of Ephesus. This city represents the best preserved ruins from this era - 3rd century AD. Pictures will not do it justice, but I will give it a try. 

Faith is coming alive for us all. Our lives have been forever changed. Thank you for your prayers. We love and miss you. 

Tomorrow we head for Rome and the final leg of our trip. More to come!

Day Six - Holy Ground

Today, we walked the path of the exiled John the Revelator on the island of Patmos. We came away from the day overwhelmed. 

The cobalt blue Aegean Sea, the Grotto of Revelation where John received his vision of the resurrected Christ and wrote his message to the seven churches, St. John's Monastery where an ancient manuscript of the Gospel of Mark and a famous icon by El Greco are housed, and lunch overlooking the beach on Patmos all marked an unforgettable day. This was indeed holy ground. 

Thank you for your prayers. Tomorrow we are off to Ephesus. 

More to come. 

Day Five - Getting to Samos is Half the Fun

It is a travel day for us. 

We woke up late (8:30), had breakfast, and headed out on some adventures. Small groups went to the Temple of Zeus, the National Gardens, and the Tomb of Philopappos. 

Then we went to the airport to fly to the island of Samos. 

We were greeted with this view upon arrival at our hotel. 

Our night ended with an incredible buffet dinner. 

Tomorrow we will be on the island of Patmos where we will see and experience some amazing things. 

Thank you for your prayers. 

Day Four - The City of Athens

Today we hit the ground for a trek to the Acropolis. We were overwhelmed by the magnitude, history, and beauty of all of the structures we saw along the way. The Theater of Dionysius, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the Erechtheion, and the Parthenon are amazing. 

We then made our way down the Acropolis and stopped at Mars Hill where Paul proclaimed the Gospel to the Areopagus. We sat at the foot of Mars Hill for a conversation led by Chris about Paul and his amazing speech to the Athenians. 

We walked through the agora stopping at the stoa and the Temple of Hephaestus, which served as a testing ground for the construction of the Parthenon. 

Our day ended with a visit to the new Acropolis Museum. There is so much to see there. We only scratched the surface. After a dinner in our small groups and a great group discussion, we hung out in the hotel. 

Tomorrow we head to Samos in the afternoon. We are excited about our next step in the journey. 

Thank you for your prayers. 

Day Three - The Streets of Corinth

Where to begin...

Today started with a drive to the Corinthian Canal. Construction on this canal began in the 1880's. Many had tried before but no one was successful. Nobel's invention made it possible. It is quite a view. 

Then we drove to the Acrocorinth for a hike to the top. This is the highest Acropolis in Greece. The scenery and vistas are breathtaking. 

We had a great lunch followed by a tour of ancient Corinth with our amazing guide Eleni. Corinth was the city in which Paul spent 18 months as a tent maker and proclaimed the Gospel to the citizens. Corinth is also the city to which Paul wrote at least three times - much of these letters are included in 1 and 2 Corinthians. Paul defended his message at the bema of Gallio. We celebrated the Lord's Supper under the shade of pine trees and the shadow of the Acrocorinth. 

After our drive back to Athens and some time to shop in the Plaka, we had an incredible dinner with this rooftop view (don't hate us because it's beautiful)...

Tomorrow is another full day. We will be touring the city of Athens. 

Thank you for your prayers. 

Blessings to you. 

Day Two - Arrival Athens

We have made it! After one of the longest travel days ever, we are here. And we are no worse for the wear.

Upon arrival we took a quick panoramic tour of the city with a stop at the Olympic stadium. This stadium is built on the site where the runner bringing good news from the Battle of Marathon died upon completing his 26.2 mile run. 

We had an amazing rooftop dinner introducing us to wonderful Greek cuisine. We then took a walking tour of the Plaka around the Acropolis with our guide Eleni. 

Now it's time for bed and preparation for our day in Corinth tomorrow.

Thank you for your prayers. 

Day One - June 8 - Departure

We are really excited to hit the road for our trek to Greece, Italy, and Turkey following in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul and the leaders of early church. 

Pray for our safety and for our discoveries along the way. 

More posts to come.