Day 07 - Western Coast: Pergamum, Weaving Center, Turkish Shop

Today we  visited the Asclepieion of Pergamon/Pergamum, which was the most famous healing center of the ancient world. This was dedicated to Asclepius, the god of healing. Even up to now, the art and science of medicine is represented by his staff and intertwined serpent. GALEN was a famous physician and anatomist who was born and practiced here. He pioneered vivisection, postulated The 4 HUMOURS as the basis of disease, and the 4 TEMPERAMENTS of personality. I recently saw a patient in my clinic with a vascular malformation of the Vein of Galen. Coming here was a dream  come true for me. It must be a God thing that Pastor Mark chose to read from The Gospel from Luke, who was also a physician. He emphasized the need for spending time with God as the Father as source of His strength. He cannot only heal disease but more than that, to forgive sin. There is no barrier to come to Jesus, regardless of race or color, but he looks at the condition of our hearts. Let us not forget that JEHOVAH RAPHA is the God who heals. In every aspect of our lives (physically, emotionally, spiritually) He is a mender of brokenness, the binder of wounds. Just  as a skilled physician diagnoses and treats ailments, God knows our deepest hurts and offers restoration.

We next did a tour of a Turkish rug weaving center which was a community-based organization using native weavers to preserve their art and also as a source of income. It was fun to see how they make the silk and wool threads which was dyed using various plants and flowers. It was enlightening to find out a single silk cocoon can produce up to a thousand meters of silk thread. Some of us were able to partcipate threading in and making the gordian knot which cannot be untangled. As in our lives the final pattern cannot be seen till it is all done, and we need to trust and let go so God can us. It was also satisfying to find the perfect rug to bring home.

Finally we got to visit a factory store making Turkish Delights to satisfy the sweet-tooths of family and friends back home. We had a lot of fun trying out the free samples and finally deciding what to purchase. We finally checked in at our last gorgeous hotel feeling so tired but satisfied.

- Edwin Cruz