Day 03 - Antalya, Antalya Museum, Perga

We started the trip with a lesson Paul knew well — how difficult travel can be! The graciousness and patience of this group cannot be understated. Our original flight was canceled, and after much waiting with no answers (in a hotel for two nights it turned o
ut!), we finally left Chicago and made it to Turkey! In one conscious period we were in Chicago, Istanbul, Antalya, and Isparta. Whew! We are grateful to be in this beautiful land learning and growing together. As trip leaders, we are beyond grateful for this particular group of travelers who could not be more loving and encouraging. Most people get crabby when travel bumps come their way — not these people! Their joy and peace of Christ was evident in the midst of quite significant changes to our plans.

We arrived in Turkey around 9:30am Turkey time and jumped right in! Our first experience was a teaching in the harbor of Antalya. We learned about Paul’s journey at the place he would have sailed in to Turkey! With the Mediterranean in the background and fishermen all around, we learned about the plans Saul had, and how they were interrupted and redirected by God. Saul had a lot of re-learning to do before he finally started preaching the good news of Jesus Christ. Are we willing to be humble and relearn things?

Our second stop was the Antalya Museum. We saw ancient statues and artifacts that showed us clearly what was valued in the culture Jesus was born into and Paul was ministering in. With a culture that was so focused on the power and authority of the Emperors and gods (plural!), how does the message of Jesus spread so far? The church was tasked with showing moderation in a culture of excess. Without railing against culture, how do we live a better way that makes others wonder how this group of little Christs has such love and joy and peace? Early Christians were working out this calling, and we still are today!

We refueled with a delicious meal of cucumbers, the best tomatoes we’ve ever had, lentil soup, kebobs and sliced meat, and tried to keep our eyes open with some strong Turkish tea!

Our next stop was Perga, where we walked through an ancient stadium, Roman bath house, and agora (the marketplace). We learned how Paul used these common features of life in the Roman Empire to challenge Christians to live differently. “Put off your old self and put on your new self...” — this was a nod to the bath house where clothes would be removed! The teaching focused on how we stay faithful to Christ and help to redeem culture that looks quite different from the way Christ has called us to live.

After a drive to the hotel, we had a delicious meal topped off with the best rice pudding we’ve ever tasted! Our guide (Gokhan) called it a “burned pudding”. It seemed like a cross between rice pudding and crème brûlée. It was yummy! Everyone was beyond excited to get a good night’s sleep after such a long travel day and three sites! We are grateful for your prayers as we continue on our journey!