3 Countries; 2 Continents; 2 Boats; 2 Planes; 24 Hours

What a crazy 24 hours. 

We were in Turkey - Ephesus and Selçuk. We got there by boat. 

We flew from Samos, Greece, though Athens. 

We arrived in Rome. 

3 countries; 2 continents; 2 boats; 2 planes; 24 hours!

So, now we are in Rome. What an amazing first 12 hours we have had together. 

We first visited Santa Maria della Vittoria. This beautiful church houses the Ecstacy of St. Teresa. It is one of Bernini's masterpieces. This statue and the entire church are breath taking. What an amazing way to begin. 

We then walked down the road to Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri (St. Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs). This is a magnificent basilica housed in the ruins of an ancient Roman public bath. There are no word to describe its grandeur. 

The response of the students to these two structures was unexpected and a wonder to behold. It was humbling to be in conversation with them about how this brief and beautiful appetizer to Rome struck them. 

Welcome to the majesty of Rome!

Sometimes Your Plans Change

And they end up looking like this...

So the sea was too rough today to go to Patmos. There were storms this morning and more this afternoon. We are sad that we missed that holy site - the Jerusalem of the Aegean. However, we made the most of this day with pool time, ping pong, hanging out with friends new and old, wonderful food, and Pythagoria - the port on this side of the island (yes, you guessed it. Pythagorus is from the island if Samos. 

Here are some pictures of the day as we recovered from some frantic days and prepare for the busy schedule ahead.

Thank you for your prayers. More adventures ahead! The weather looks great for tomorrow. Full speed ahead. 

 

Island Hopping

Today we had a free morning to do as we pleased. It was a leisurely morning as we waited for our afternoon flight. Some hiked to the top of the Muses Hill to the Tomb of Philopappos with its spectacular view of the Acropolis, others went to Syntagma Square and the parliament building for the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier, still others went to the National Gardens, and some went to the Temple of Zeus. It was a fun day around Athens!

In the afternoon we welcomed our friend Claire to Greece (it was really good to see her) and flew over several Greek islands on our way to Samos. Samos is an amazing little piece of heaven on earth. The views from our hotel are spectacular. 

We had a delicious buffet dinner at a local resort and a relaxing evening hanging out and sharing with one another. Your young people are incredible. We are thankful. 

We look forward to what tomorrow might hold. 

Continue to pray for us as we continue to make ourselves present with one another. 

Thank you!

Saying "Hello" to Athena

What was our adventure on the second full day in Greece? Athens!

The day started with a looooooooong walk. Even though the Acropolis is close to our hotel, we walked nearly nonstop for 5 hours. 

First stop, the birthplace of theatre. The Theatre of Dionysus. We were able to sit where the ancients sat and see the vistas they saw.

The next stop on our way to the top was the Odeion of Herodes Atticus. This is an active theater used to host musicians, operas, and musical productions. 

After this visit we turned the corner to witness the majesty of all that is found atop the Acropolis: The Temple of Nike, the Erectheion, the Parthenon, and other magnificent structures. Your mind wanders at the spectacle and beauty of it all. Pictures cannot do it justice, but here are a few to give you some highlights.

We headed down to Mars Hill, the site where Paul spoke of his strange new ideas about Jesus and the resurrection to the Areopagus - the Supreme Court of the day. Madison led us in an amazing discussion about Paul's words and the way in which he approached the religious of Athens. The students were incredibly insightful in all they shared. 

We then entered the agora, the ancient marketplace of Athens. This is where goods were bought and sold, ideas were traded, and legislation was shared. Socrates and many other philosophers taught here. And this is the location where he was sentenced to die by poison. We also walked up to the magnificent Temple of Hephaestus. It is the most complete temple of the classical era of Greece. 

Whew! Break time for lunch and getting refreshed (a well deserved shower). Then it was off to the New Acropolis Museum and small group dinners. This museum houses the original Caryatids (which held up the roof to the Erectheion) as well as many ancient treasure of the Acropolis. It also has a spectacular view of the holy hill. 

Here we are with our amazing guide, Smaro. 

What an amazing experience so far. It is unforgettable. We are prepared for our next steps along the way. 

Continue to pray that we be present. We are praying for you all as well as you grieve the tragedy in Orlando. May you find peace in the midst of sorrow. 

Thank you for your prayers. 

Walk Like a Corinthian

Our journey led us to Corinth where Paul spent eighteen months and wrote multiple letters after his departure. 

Before we got to the ancient city we stopped by the Corinthian Canal. This canal was completed in the 1890s and connects the Agean Sea to the Ionian Sea. It is quite the site. As were the views from the top of the Acrocorinth. Yes, the all hiked all the way up!

After an amazing lunch looking over the ruins of the ancient city, we made our way in. Walking along the same roadways and seeing the same sites that the Apostle Paul experienced is humbling and overwhelming. 

We took a group shot in front of the bema where Paul spoke of this strange new message he was proclaiming. 

The Temple of Apollo is an incredible site to see. 

At the end of our tour we sat in the shade of the Cyprus and pine trees to reflect on what we had ecperienced, Paul's message to the Corinthians, and to celebrate Communion together. The church in Corinth is the community to which Paul wrote the beautiful words about what it means to be the body,  how to live into love ("a more excellent way"), and what it looked like to serve one another even when eating (the Words of Institution used during Communion). What better place to be reminded that we belong to Christ and to one another. It was great to have Madison and Jon serve as our celebrants. 

Our evening ended here with a fantastic dinner. The food was as good as the view and the company. 

Thank you for your prayers. Continue to pray that we might be present. 

We hold each of you in our hearts. 

Athens - Greetings to Greece

We have arrived safe and sound in Athens!

Thank you for praying for us as we traveled. We are looking forward to many adventures ahead. 

Here's the first of many group shots!

Pray that we will be present...

With one another;

With this experience;

With ourselves;

With the God who promises to meet us here. 

Watch for more updates. 

We are excited for this life changing and challenging experience. 

Preparing for Departure

One day away...

That for which we have been waiting is finally here. All of the natural feelings of excitement, anticipation, and nervousness are in full effect. We have no idea what will meet us once we arrive. We do know that we will be held together by the God who will meet us there. Each day will be new and full. We cover your prayers. 

We will update this blog most evenings letting you know what we have experienced and how we have grown. 

Pray that we will be present...

Present with one another; 

Present within our experiences;

Present with our selves;

Present with God who is always present with us. 

We will pray the same for you. 

Excited for a new journey together. 

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.