On the Mediterranean

Last Monday we began our first book of the bible, Philippians. The students worked so hard on their assignments and I was so proud of them for their perseverance. I got a little bit done but with staff responsibilities it’s a little more difficult. I am hoping to get more out of this week through our second book, Mark. We begin by reading through the book out loud to get an understanding of the whole picture. Our lecture today has been incredible and I am so excited to dive in Mark with the students!
This week we had a little Halloween celebration, which we called, "Happy Harvest". It was such a blast!! We all dressed up and had a semi-professional photo shoot, games, a little dancing and movie. I wish I had pictures because I was very impressed with the costumes!
This weekend I had another opportunity to go into Athens with the school. We live about one and a half hours from down town so it is something special to go to Athens. I have included some pictures and will continue to update you quite regularly although I may only be able to respond once every one or two weeks.
We began our day at the beautiful Syntagma Square. We walked down our favorite shopping area but quickly found new streets to explore. Ancient street crowded with antique stores, souvenir shops, cheese shops, cafes and more.
Eventually we came across the Acropolis but because we are going there with the school only took pictures from underneath. What an incredible building, once used for government matters and protected by a sixty foot wall and a famous tourist attraction. We also happened to come across another large hill with a funny old structure on top. After a fifteen minute walk we found ourselves a top of a hill that overlooked the entire city.
I don’t fully know how to explain the beauty of this city. Because of minor earthquakes and probably some building codes, no houses or buildings are over eight stories. Now can you imagine four million people all living in nothing more then eight stories. This makes for a city that stretches as far as the eye can see. On one side of the city is the ocean and the rest surrounded by green mountains. And because this was at sunset, the entire city was lit up a white with houses stretching to the horizon and creeping up the hillsides.
I can totally understand why famous monuments are always built on top of hills and mountains. I think that whatever you believe in, you can feel a presence that there is something awesome that created this beauty in front of you. There is such awe to this beauty and to deny a creator is foolish. Some may say that seeing a city from a top a hill isn’t that great but for me I feel a God that has a heart and dream for this ancient place. A city where God may have been forgotten but longs to be redeemed.

PLEASE DO NOT COPY/PASTE/SAVE PHOTOGRAPHS! THEY ARE FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT BUT NOT TO KEEP. THANKS, AARON.

Cafe (Espresso Freddo!)

Ancient Mosaic

Syntagma Square, Downtown Athens









Orthodox Church

Acropolis

Athens, Greece









Parthanon