Day 09 - Western Coast: Priene, Didyma, Miletus

We entered our day knowing these three sites were the last we would see on our trip. The first of these sites was a city called Priene. Personally, Priene was one of my favorite places to visit as it has one of the greatest views of the whole trip. This city was full of trees, the weather was cool and brisk, and it was on top of a cliff that overlooked land as far as you could see. In this city would have been the Sanctuary of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war. Alexander the Great would have visited this temple seeking both wisdom and fortune as he waged war against the Persians, and he would have stood in the same spot overlooking the valley that we would have been at today. As Alexander possibly pondered the question, "How will I change the world?...," we also are challenged to think how the True God can change the world through us from this moment forward. 

Our next site was called Didyma. At Didyma was a massive temple to Apollo, the god of the sun and prophecy. People came to the temple of Apollo at Didyma because they were searching for answers, answers that they hoped to find through the oracle at the temple. Kings, generals, emperors, and others of all sorts visited this this place. Ironically, the answers they received could leave them more perplexed than when they came. Luckily for us, we have the answers, we know the God of truth and clarity, and we can meet with him directly without the need for an "oracle" to be our intermediary.

Our last and final site was Miletus. Miletus was known to be the birthplace of philosophy. This was an important place of learning and education. Paul visits Miletus during his third missionary journey on his way back to Jerusalem. As this was a center of education, important knowledge spread from here to all over the ancient world. We are reminded that we also have a task to spread the news of the gospel, knowledge of the one who has the power to save. 

Our group ends our trip in community, fellowship, and relaxation over a meal at our hotel as we look out over the Aegean Sea. We reminisce about our adventures, sites we saw, and things we learned. Tomorrow, however, we are coming home. We will see you Sunday, Church! We cannot wait to see you again. 

- by Cy Casto