myPilgrimage to the Biblical Lands Pt.1

“Sweetheart, free yourself for ten days in October starting the 23rd.” My wife whispered to me as she woke me up one Saturday morning in September 2014. Why? I asked. “I’m not telling.  We’re going on a trip that’s all I can say. Just be ready”.  She said with a smirk. 

I did not insist on knowing. I just knew something  good was cooking up and I enyoyed being surprised.  There were a number of reasons to celebrate and to be thankful.  That was the third year of my cancer remission.  She usually gives me something valuable on my birthday and I was still waiting for the gift for my 56th.  And yes, our 31st wedding anniversary was around the corner.  A spirtual retreat in Wisconsin just like what we did years back would be a good time for reflection.  

Few days before the scheduled getaway, I found something in the mail that revealed her surprise…..a packet from Asbury Theological Seminary detailing the itinerary for a cruise to Greece and Turkey! The trip was for a spiritual pilgrimage to the Biblical lands. What an upgrade from the Wisconsin retreat I was expecting! 

The cruise organized by Asbury Theological Seminary for its alumni, traced the footsteps of the Apostle Paul’s Second Missionary Journey.  The Book of Acts came to life as we visited the sites of the New Testament Churches.

Dr. Maxie Dunnam, the seminary president during my time at Asbury Theological Seminary came along and gave lectures on the significance of the historical/Biblical sites which includes Thessalonica, Philippi, Berea and Corinth in Greece and Ephesus, Miletus Pergamom in Turkey. We also toured the famous sites of Acropolis of Athens, the Corinth Canal, monasteries in the monolith mountains of Meteora, Hagaia Sophia, Blue Mosque and the famous Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.

Phillippi

For me, one of the highlights of the tour was when Dr. Dunnam assigned me as one of the Pastors to administer communion to alumni delegates at the biblical site of  Phillippi where the first woman/Gentile convert Lydia, met the Apostle Paul. Before the communion, one woman delegate portrayed the character of Lydia with the background of the rushing water. As I listened, I was transported back to the New Testament times! Lydia was a trader of purple cloth. During the communion we blessed the people with water scooped from the rushing river. I was assigned to distribute the communion bread to a section of the crowed standing by the bank of the river. We were given this script: “The body of Christ broken for you. Take, eat that you may have peace.” 
When I served the bread to a lady whose face became familiar because we rode the same tour bus, my script changed. I said: “The body of Christ broken for you. Take, eat and be healed.” She looked me straight in the eyes, then started sobbing as she took the bread. 

Later, when we got in the bus, she came to me and said. Thank you Pastor (She knew I’m a pastor as indicated in my name tag) for declaring healing on me. That’s just what I needed. I’ve been struggling with physical issues and I needed God’s touch. I felt and I believe He did it today.” 

“Praise the Lord! God bless you my dear Sister. I’m a cancer survivor because God healed me. I said in response.

Berea, Greece

The statue of the Apostle Paul. 

Meteora, Greece

Monasteries were built on top of these rock mountains.

Tha man-made Corinth Canal

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Next Blog issue will feature:

• Island of Patmos
• Corinth
• Thessalonica
• Pergamom
• Miletus
• Ephesus
• Hagaia Sophia
• Grand Bazaar