New Revelations...

I realized today that I hadn't thought much about Turkey and how important it is to Christianity. Today my eyes were opened. I've been really focused on Israel, where Jesus was born and died... but there is so much more to the story after His death here in Turkey.

Today we started out in Pergamum, then visited Thyatira and ended in Smyrna. It was a full day with a wonderful lunch in between. Our guide, Cen (pronounced Gem) was so full of information that Colleen and I caught ourselves hanging on his every word. We learned things today about Paul and the churches that we did not know. He explained the scriptures to us, relevant to each church and helped us understand what it all meant. You know sometimes the Bible is difficult and Revelations can be one of the hardest to understand. Gem explained things very clearly and made it very easy to understand.

I understand now that it's not about the churches we visit...it's about the community in which Revelations is referring to... Paul was so important in spreading Christianity through out the world. I hadn't realized the magnitude in which he traveled and given the fact that he never met Jesus face to face and still was the greatest disciple ever – just amazes us.

Here are some pictures of Pergamum.

Here we are in Smyrna. This is the highest elevation and looking down at the city of Izmir (Smyrna). We are getting blown around by the wind...but can't complain since the view here is so amazing. There is so much history here and yet local families are picnicking nearby and neighborhood boys are playing football (soccer) next to the ancient ruins.

Here are some pictures of the rooms and of lobby of the hotel you will be staying at in Izmir. It is a very nice 4 star hotel. The dinner tonight was amazing! I loved the meatballs! Colleen was crazy over the desserts. We sat near a window facing the gardens. It was really a nice way to end our day...

Sorry... you have to turn your head on this one...

Tomorrow we will check out of our hotel and travel to Pamukkale. The adventure keeps going on and on. We have not been bored for one second... it has been well balanced and so informative.

I feel completely comfortable here. Before we came, we did not know what to expect. We heard about Turkey and that it is a 99% Muslim country, located in the Middle East – that alone made us cautious. But I have come to realize that a 99% Muslim country does not mean 99% of the people are radical Islamic. There is a small percentage that are Orthodox Muslim's and worship at the Mosque 5 times per day... but majority of the people of Turkey are normal "Joe's" like you and me. They wear regular clothes...live normal lives very close to ours... You know, just like Christians, there are some more religious than others... no different here in Turkey.

Everyone we have encountered, whether Orthodox or not...has been very kind and welcoming. I think we (or maybe it is just me) had a misconception of the people of the Muslim faith. This trip as really opened my eyes... to the disciples and all the efforts they made here and for the people of Turkey. I know you're eyes will be opened too. And you will be blessed by it just as I am.

Call us to get more information on how you can come to Turkey with us after the Israel tour this November. You won't regret your decision. I promise!

Kim