Day 09 - Ephesus & Ephesus Museum

Plans change, especially when you’re traveling! A few days ago we looked ahead at our itinerary and saw that there would be two MASSIVE cruise ships in port on the day we were scheduled to go to Ephesus. Thousands of people would be flooding through the gate to see what we are spending time studying. That would make what we planned to do very difficult, so we changed our plans.

Yesterday, we went to Didyma and Miletus and had a great time so that today we could go to Ephesus without a super large crowd. There were still plenty of people to navigate around, but at least it was easier.

Ozan did a masterful job leading our group through the site and pointing out the different aspects we were particularly interested in. Rob taught briefly on a passage from 1 Timothy then taught through the letter to the church in Ephesus in Revelation. I had the honor of teaching the narrative from Acts 19 as we stood in the shadow of some trees within sight of the theater. We were infinitely grateful for the shade and everyone who wanted had the opportunity to go to the theater after we finished our discussion to experience it for themselves. It is an awe-inspiring thing to stand in a place where 25,000 people could gather for the same music or play over 2,000 years ago!

We also walked through the Ephesus Museum before enjoying some delicious Turkish ice cream together.

Tomorrow we head home with a new perspective, having been challenged in different ways, and gaining new friends as we all walked (or more appropriately rode together in an air-conditioned bus) this road together.

We are grateful to GTI for their support, for those who came with us on this journey, those who have prayed for us, and for the opportunity to learn and grow together.