March 23, 2025 Santorini
After a sleep-in morning we had the most amazing worship service on deck 10 of the ship. With the sun out and a warm breeze, we worshipped overlooking the entire Santorini coastline. Brad lead music with guitar and David preached on I Corinthians 13 and Revelation 2 - Jesus’ encouragement and warning to the Ephesian church to return to their first love (Jesus!) amidst the busyness of ministry and life. After prayers and communion, we finished with more singing and passing the peace all around.
 
While some left to visit the capital of Santorini at 12:30, others enjoyed a restful afternoon on board. Our official shore excursion began at 3:30. We took a tender to the port and drove by bus 35 minutes to Oie – the far northern city of Santorini built on the top of the cliff. We had almost 2 hours to explore the quaint streets and shops while taking pictures of the blue domed churches and relishing in the beauty of God’s creation.
 
On the bus ride back to the tender, David handed out “awards” that were both playful and fun covering the highlights and joys of the trip. Once back on board we met after dinner for a final debrief to share highlights of the trip and to pray for one another.

March 22nd, Ephesus and Patmos

We got up early to disembark at 7am and board the bus for the 10 mile drive to Ephesus. As the harbor silted up over 800 years, Ephesus, the 2nd largest city in Roman empire at one time, was abandoned after an earthquake in the 7th century.
 
Nestled in a valley between two mountains, the ruins have been uncovered and restored to give a great experience of what Ephesus was like at the time of Paul.  We began our tour at the top of the city and walked the original Roman road that Paul would have walked during his two year ministry in Ephesus during his 3rd ministry journey.
 
We toured the estate of a wealthy roman Christian of the 4th century who had a built a basilica in his house. We proceeded to the great library of Ephesus and then to the agora (marketplace). With the theater as a backdrop we read of the great riot (Acts 19) and from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. After great pictures and more teaching, we left to visit a Turkish Rug making center before returning to the ship.
 
After a restful afternoon on board we had a long wait to disembark by tender at the Island of Patmos where John received his vision found in the book of Revelation. We entered the cave where he lived and received the revelation and had time to reflect and pray. We proceeded to the Monastery built in the 11th century on the top of Patmos and toured the museum there. We also heard the Monks give the (loud!) call to worship. Overall a long and exciting day walking where Paul walked and learning about how the Apostle John and Mary lived out their last days in Ephesus.

March 21, 2025
Athens to Mykonos
 
We awoke in Athens and started our day talking about the conclusion of Paul’s 2nd missionary journey. After eighteen months, Paul left Corinth sailing from Cenchrea to Ephesus (on the same journey we are taking across the Aegean sea) and then on to Caesarea, Jerusalem, and Antioch (Acts 18:18-23). We talked about rhythms, rest and reflection and how to experience more of Christ in the “in between” times.
 
After a beautiful breakfast on the rooftop restaurant overlooking the Parthenon, we drove to Lavrion on the coast south of Athens where we boarded our cruise ship along with 1300 other people. We did the safety drill, had a short meeting, ate lunch and had free time on beautiful. At 12:30 the ship departed for Mykonos.
 
At 3pm we gathered in the stern out of the wind to learn about the importance of discipleship in Paul’s ministry. Apollos was a brilliant evangelist who had not yet understood that because Jesus was alive he could have a personal relationship with Him. Apollos needed to not just know about Jesus, but to meet Jesus. (acts 18:24 – 28)
 
Upon Paul’s return to Ephesus to begin his 3rd missionary journey, he met 12 men who knew about Jesus but had not understood that Christ could fill them with His Holy Spirit. We talked about the need at Resurrection for people to understand they can have a relationship with Jesus and can be filled (daily) with the Holy Spirit of Jesus. After a time of encouragement and sharing, we invited the Holy Spirit to fill us anew and to continue to lead us on our trip. It was a powerful time of teaching and fellowship.
 
We disembarked for Mykonos at 5pm. After a short walk to the windmills to see the sunset, we celebrated an amazing dinner complete with great food and drinks and an impromptu dance party!
 
A few of the younger folks gathered back at the ship after dinner to sing and worship with Brad. It was an amazing day and we are looking forward to Ephesus and Patmos tomorrow!

March 20th, 2025
Corinth and Athens
 
Our morning devotion focused on Paul’s ministry in Corinth from Acts 18. Hallmarks of Paul’s ministry included 1. Gospel partnerships 2. Evidence of the Holy Spirit at work changing lives (Crispus) 3. The need to hear and receive encouragement from God’s Word.
 
After Breakfast we loaded the bus for a brief tour of Athens as we headed west for the 39 mile trip to Corinth. After a brief stop at the great Corinthian canal (completed after 2500 years of attempts in 1893), we arrived at the archeological site of Corinth below the 1500 foot acropolis on a beautiful day. After touring the museum, we strolled the site and then sat down under trees amidst the ruins to learn more about how the gospel impacts a bustling cities like Corinth and Baltimore and the need for discipleship among Christians both then and now.
 
After lunch in Corinth we returned to Athens (and hit rush hour traffic) for some to take the cable car to Mt Lycabettus for a view of the city while others enjoyed free time and shopping. After a wonderful debrief we enjoyed a fun rooftop dinner overlooking the Acropolis and the Ruins of the Temple of Zeus. Tomorrow we embark on the cruise portion of our trip to visit Ephesus, Patmos, and Crete.

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March 19th, 2025
 
Kalambaka to Athens and the Parthenon
 
Our morning devotion focused on Paul’s arrival in Athens from Acts 17. We talked about “Waiting, Watching, and Witnessing” to the power of Christ in cities full of idols. After breakfast we loaded the bus and began the 213 mile journey to Athens. While Paul sailed from Berea to Athens, our drive through the mountains after a beautiful overnight snowfall was like something out of a movie.
 
During the bus ride we learned more about Greek history, took time to answer tough questions, and continued great fellowship and conversation.
 
Arriving in Athens in the early afternoon, we headed straight to the Acropolis and Parthenon. We had a breezy and chilly tour of the famed Athenian landmark, learning about the 2500 year history of one of the great monuments of the ancient world. The Parthenon has been the center of Greek culture and worship since it was built as a tribute to the Greek god Athena in the mid 5th century BC.  Since the 4th century AD the Parthenon has been a Byzantine church, a Roman Catholic Cathedral and then  after the Ottomans conquered Greece in the 14th century AD, a mosque. Since the Greek revolution in the 19th century, the remains of the Parthenon have been a cultural landmark for Greece.  
 
After reading Paul’s speech before the Areopagus on Mars Hill from Acts 17, we returned to our hotel for a debrief and a wonderful sit down four course dinner. Tomorrow it is off to Corinth!

March 18th, 2025
 
Kalambaka and the Famous Monasteries of Meteora
 
After a morning devotion on Paul’s Mission and Message, the proclamation of the unsearchable riches of Christ (Ephesians 3:9) to the world, we left Kalambaka to head back to up to the Monasteries of Meteora.
 
The weather held off as we explored a monastery (All Saints  - Varlaam) and a Nunnery (St Stephens). Besides the astounding views, we learned about church art, iconography, the Orthodox church and the role Monks played in preserving the gospel in Greece beginning in the 14h century with the invasion of the Ottoman (Muslim) empire. Highlights for many was seeing the artists painting a new chapel ceiling at St Stephens as well as seeing the martyrs depicted throughout the chapels.
 
As the rain and wind (and even some snowflakes) picked up we had a warm lunch down at the foot of the mountains. After lunch we toured an Icon studio of a famous Greek priest. He and his family greeted us and he signed Icons personally. Some of the younger students were even allowed to learn how to paint icons.
 
The rest of the afternoon was spent resting, talking, working out or reading back at the hotel.

Once again the debrief before dinner was a highlight as we learned from each other different ways the Lord is speaking and meeting each one of us. After dinner Brad led a joyful time of singing and worship in the hotel lobby. We are looking forward to Athens tomorrow!

March 17th, 2025
 
Kavala to Berea (Acts 17) to Kalambaka
 
After a morning devotion on Paul’s mission to the Bereans (Acts 17: 10-12) and the importance of studying and learning to encounter Jesus in Scripture, we left Kavala for a day of travel. Great conversation on the bus and beautiful weather made for a pleasant morning bus ride through Thessaloniki.
 
After stopping by the Lion of Knidos statue, we arrived in Verioa (Berea) and visited the monument honoring St Paul’s mission to Berea> We then walked to a Jewish Synagogue that could have been built on the location of the synagogue in which Paul preached in 50 AD.
 
We ate lunch in a restaurant overlooking the plains of Thessaloniki and then drove south under the shadow of Mt. Olympus through beautiful mountains and stunning “Middle Earth” vistas.
 
Around 5pm we arrived in Kalambaka and drove the 7 miles up the mountains to view the six mountain top monasteries of Meteora. After taking pictures, 15 people decided to make the 2 hour hike down from Meteora to the hotel.
 
We concluded our day with a hilarious and uplifting debrief sharing our highlights of the day which included great conversations, surprise at the wonder of Greek culture and topography, visiting the Jewish Synagogue, studying scripture, and enjoying great fellowship among the group.

March 16, Philippi and Kavala

We started our day with a Worship Service outside of Philippi where Paul met and baptized Lydia, outside the old City walls. A Greek Orthodox baptistry building with beautiful mosaics stands 100 feet before the stream. At the stream is a peaceful spot where we held our communion service.
From there we visited the ruins of Philippi. The amphitheater, Paul's jail cell and the first Basilica with original mosaics were some of the highlights.

We then returned to Kavala where we broke up for Lunch and many hiked up to the Roman Aqueduct and Ottoman fortress on top of the hill overlooking the port. Returning to the hotel, we had free time to enjoy the beautiful area, read and relax. 

March 15 - Athens to Thessaloniki to Kavala

After a VERY early flight to Thessaloniki we drove into the City, the second largest in Greece. We visited the Ottoman walls, Agora and 2 Churches, St Demetrius and The Holy Church of Hagia Sophia. Our guide had lived here for many years and was very knowledgeable and excited to share the city with us.
In the afternoon, we traveled on to Kavala (Neopolis) where we are staying the next 2 nights. Some enjoyed a very brisk dip in the Aegean Sea before our evening meeting, dinner and much needed sleep.

March 14th - Arrival and Acclimation in Athens!
Despite a few delays, we have arrived safely in Greece! Many enjoyed touring Athens during a warm spring like day. We had our initial meal together on the rooftop terrace of our hotel.