Tonight (9/29/23) Sarah and I will be on a plane to Istanbul (not Constantinople) and then on to Izmir, Turkey, which is ancient Smyrna.

We are going with a dear couple, Dan and Sharon Stolebarger, whom we met on our first Israel tour in 2010. They have since formed their own ministry based on Bible study and biblical tourism called "Holy Ground Explorations." Of course I don't know anyone else who is interested in Bible study and biblical tourism 😉 !

The itinerary includes biblical sites in Turkey (Smyrna, Ephesus, Pergamum), Greece (Philippi, Thessaloniki, Berea, Athens, Corinth), and Rome. October 12th is our 27th wedding anniversary, so we'll be spending an extra day in Rome to celebrate.

Acts 1:8 says the Apostles will be His witnesses in Jerusalem and Judea, and in Samaria, and in the ends of the earth. The Corinthians verse above reminds me that as Paul traveled, Judea was where his heart was. In the same way, as we travel throughout Macedonia and the other places Paul left his monumental impact on history and theology, Jesus must remain our primary focus. We study Paul to know Jesus better.

Other than passing through the Istanbul airport earlier this year, I've never been to any of these places, so it will be a new adventure and a new opportunity to understand the Bible from a different perspective. What a "coincidence" that we have just started a verse-by-verse study of the book of Acts in our Sunday 7:00am and 9:45 groups! The rabbis say, "coincidence is not a kosher word!

Both Sarah and I have been in prayer to be ready to receive what God wants to give. We will try to post a quick word and maybe a few photos and videos each day (as connectivity allows). We covet everyone's prayers for us.

Chris and Sarah

9/29/2023