Greece

The day started with breakfast on the rooftop of our hotel in downtown Athens. We had an amazing view of the Acropolis, which we would visit later that day. We met our Greek tour guide, Christiana and bus driver Christos, in front of the hotel and off we went.

An hour later, we stopped to see the Corinth Canal which separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland. Its limestone walls soared 300 feet up from the water and was only 70 feet wide at sea level. It was an amazing sight to see. We hopped back on the bus, and only fifteen minutes later, arrived in Old Corinth. There we toured the Anthropological Museum to orient ourselves to the culture and artifacts of the area. 

Afterward, we gathered outside for a devotion from Acts 18. Ross highlighted Paul's trip from Athens to Corinth and how he became discouraged after pouring himself out to reach the Jews. But, Paul pressed into God during this time of discouragement and God used Paul's weakness this time, not his strength.  When Paul was brought before the bema seat, by the angry Jews, and "Paul was about to open him mouth," then Gallio, the proconsul, spoke on his behalf and set him free. It was a beautiful picture of the grace we will receive when we stand before the bema seat in heaven. Ross reminded us we need to be more than a person who talks about God. We have to be one who is with God. We had communion and sang together under the trees, as the wind blew gently over the spot where we sat. It was a moving Sunday celebration.   

Lunch was spent overlooking the ruins at the Gemelo's Roof Top Tavern. A veritable Greek feast was set before us that we all thoroughly enjoyed. From there we drove to a small family owned winery, built in 1896 by the Giannikos' family. We were given a tour and tastings under the trees in the owner's backyard. 

Afterward we drove back to the city just in time to tour the Acropolis and climb to the top of Mars Hill. It was a day we will always remember.

Kim and Tom Prothro – Tyler, TX