Introvert. Greece Post 5

I'm a surprising introvert. When I explain to people the necessity of my alone time, it often shocks those who are aware of my outgoing nature. Yesterday I got the escape I desperately needed.

I was planning on meeting a friend of a friend to go to there house. We were meeting at one of the squares downtown in the evening. I decided that after lunch I would go downtown, and find a place to do homework. I took the 314 bus at 15:20 down to Doukissis Plakentias, from there I rode the blue line to Monastiraki.

By 16:10 I was off, roaming the Greek city streets. My first stop was Mars Hill. I trekked up the what seems forever uphill streets, beneath the shadow of the Acropolis. Once climbing the marble steps up the hill, I found a rock to sit on. I then began reading Acts 17.

Sermon on Mars Hill 

22 So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. 23 For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ 29 Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man.30 Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, 31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”

32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you again concerning this.” 33 So Paul went out of their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them."

The second day of our trip, one of our professors read this passage to us. Yet after almost a month in Athens I felt the weight of Paul's words. I have seen the temple, the religiosity, and many of the things that were spoken about nearly 2000 years ago.

Once collecting myself I continued onto the next adventure, finding my new friends. I waited for nearly 30 minutes, to later find out I was standing in the wrong spot. While my plans were soon uprooted I decided to continue on in my Athens story. I wandered the streets for over two hours in pursuit of new things. There I saw the sun set over the ruins while the sound of someone playing guitar filled my ears. My night concluded with a train and bus ride back.

I arrived back on campus refreshed, renewed, and reawakened to my purpose for being here.
While I walked around Athens I was convicted of my lackluster attempts at learning. I have been given the privileged of loving languages, yet my effort has not demonstrated what I have been given. I have set goals to be multi-lingual. In thought, it would be ideal to be fluent in; Spanish, Portuguese, Greek, French, and Italian. When walking around Athens I heard a multitude of languages. My limited knowledge allowed me to identify the origin without being able to convey any of this knowledge back to the travelers. While I have a mediocre understanding of 3 out of 5, I have been called to more than mediocre.

Once again, I claim my lack of understanding, yet I claim the blessing of the pursuit of wisdom and truth.

Proverbs 23:12 

"Apply your heart to discipline
And your ears to words of knowledge."

Apology. Greece Post 4

Let me just say, I'm blessed. I have spent the last 3 weeks with some of the most amazing people. Looking around campus you would quickly come to realize that this is quite the eclectic bunch.

While the first few weeks felt like summer camp on steroids along with the beach, a new town, an unknown culture, and amazing food. Bliss, adventure, and awe would be the way I would describe the first week. There was always something going on, someone to chat with, and a new experience awaiting. I remember talking with a friend expressing that while this is fun, once reality hits the truth of personalities will be exposed. These three months abroad are not going to be pure perfection, but there will be difficulties. We will face many troubles and be confronted with a plethora of trials. 

Now that we have hit week 3, genuine connections are in the process of being made. With the connections, honesty arises. As a community we are confronted with pain, joy, unbelief, conflict, and the need for true community.

Yesterday in Christianity and Western Culture our teacher read the 39th chapter of Tertullian's Apology. 

"It is mainly the deeds of a love so noble that lead many to put a brand upon us. See, they say, how they love one another.One in mind and soul, we do not hesitate to share our earthly goods with one another."

This text was a testimony of the beginning of the Christian community, where believers willingly gave, and were truly known by their love. 

I am blessed to say that I have experienced this love. This love that can change a heart. This love that brings in those who encounter it. This love that is completely different from anything else this world has to offer. This love that has changed my life. 

Tonight we had our girl's small group tonight and we talked about our happys and crappys (also known as highs and lows) of the week, then split up to pray for each other. I wish I could have taken a snapshot of what I then experienced. I saw the girls around connect on a variety of subject matter; from pain, school, and other issues. Through prayer we were showing each other love in a way unlike what the world can experience without Christ. While I'm coming to the reality that all isn't perfect, I do see that life is a blessing. I'm surrounding by people who love Jesus, and are desiring to love the body of Christ too. 

Little Things. Greece Post 3

I haven't worn shoes in over 48 hours.

Greek yogurt is simply called yogurt.

My hair still smells like salt from the ocean even after I have showered.

I have lost 3 articles of clothing due to wind blowing them off the clothes line.

The taste of Greek chocolate lingers in my mouth.

I have listened to Acts 17 on Mars Hill.

Almost everyday since being here I have ate a fresh fig off of the tree.

I have had couscous, feta, and olives for dinner the last 4 of 5 nights.

The people at the local bakery now know my coffee order (a cappuccino freddo).

I'm training for a half marathon that runs the course of the actual marathon.

My body has scrapes all over from climbing, one from a fig tree and another from a cliff.

I have eaten from 5 different gyro shops.

Getting lost on adventures in unavoidable.

I spent 3 hours in the acropolis museum.

A stray dog followed me today for several kilometers.

I'm in the process of memorizing Philippians, in order to recite it while there.

Bread dipped in olive oil is a part of every lunch.

I have taken more naps during the national quiet hours these last 2 weeks than I did my entire year at Moody.

God has guided my heart to love this land.

Captivated. Greece Post 2

How do I explain something that I can't even comprehend when I am experiencing it?
Images I saw of Greece before I came appeared to good to be an actuality. Now as I look beyond the cove to the north of Rafina port I realize that pictures could never fully capture the depth of beauty. A picture is limited to megapixels and no amount of visual clarity can contain the warm salt breeze, the dirt gathered in my hair from the hike up the mountain, the soothing crash of water along the rocks.

The original of this article has its roots as I sit above the ledge overlooking a hidden cove, named by yours truly "Pebble Cove." While exploring the beaches of Greece a spontaneous hike ensued. At the top of a hill stood a church, of typical Greek use, meaning a mere ornament on the land rather than signifying a place of worship. Behind the church revealed a trail leading to a shore. The land broke forth exposing the beauty of what separately would seem mundane.

Cliffs broke forth revealing vegetation erupting into an array of brilliantly colored rocks. These rocks were beautiful. Pebbles of every color littered the shore line. Green, indigo, pearl, speckled, coral, stripped. Impulsively I started gathering these stones, gliding my eyes over the variety unveiling before me.

We watched gathering these pebbles for what seemed like hours. Artistry was found in the brilliance of these elements.
A thought came to mind while picking these stones. If God were to create such a thing that littered the edge of water with such elegance, how much more does He created beauty in the child He loves. The Creator of the universe crafted me in His very own image that His true beauty may be displayed. God does what is best, and He created me in the beauty He desired to proclaim His glory.

Just as these rocks beneath my toes shimmer under the sun, I do too when in light of the Son.

Truth In Pain. Greece Post 1

Greece is beautiful. I have never felt a more instant connection to a place before I stepped off the plane. Many of you know of my love for Chicago, however this is different. It's the kind of feeling of belonging, and purpose. I feel it deepen the more I learn about the culture, people, and history.

We landed two days ago in Athens, to make our way back to our new home. I looked out the window awestruck at a land unlike anything I had seen before. Cars littered the curb, along with the intriguing signs filled with Greek characters, a olive tree or grape vineyard could be seen from every direction. I was brought to silence with all that surrounded me. Even the quaint campus we pulled up to was perfect. I ate my first Greek meal of meat, tomatoes, and fresh bread. After the Greek national nap time (yes the country has quiet hours for a big meal, and siesta) we went to the Aegean Sea. Naturally with my own name meaning, of the sea, I was once again comforted with the abundant sense of peace and joy.

The next day we went into Athens to visit the breathtaking sites of Mars Hill, Syntagma square, and the Acropolis. We journeyed around the marble stone sidewalks up to Mars Hill where there was a sublime view of the city. We could see the Agora (Market), Acropolis, and the remains of the ancient land. One of our professors read Acts 17, the sermon that was initially conveyed across this hill to the scholars of ancient Greece. While praying upon this mount I heard God speaking directly to my heart. He said "See what you see, this is my land. These are my people. The Gospel was given to them, that it may be given to you. Look over this land. I feel how your heart swells with love. The only reason you love them, is because I love my people. You are here to see my kingdom. You are to proclaim Truth to the seeking ones in this land. I am with you, and I have sent you."  I looked around wondering who I could tell about this encounter, realizing I myself had no way of understanding it. The Lord of all the earth, who spoke life into the very breath of life, just spoke to my heart. He spoke to me conveying a purpose bigger than myself.

Now, a day later from when God spoke to me I sit in my bed with over 75 red, bumps, that are itchy, burning, swelling with pus, swirling me into misery. These started when initially arrived, but I hoped they would soon go away. It seemed with every passing hour that there were more, and soon my body was covered. I'm asking why? I didn't get called 5,428 miles to sit in a room in pain. The local pharmacist had never seen anything like it, a doctor visited the school who also did not know the cause of the bumps. I will be going to the doctor later to get some tests run.

While I was writing this post words "I have decided to follow Jesus" play through the speakers of my computer. No physical pain can dull the earth shattering truth of God. He is Truth. He is Faithful. He is Healer who has redeemed me from my pain. This pain that I feel does not change the fact that I have been called to Greece, to serve and fall more in love with Christ.

Even through the tears their is an eternal joy. Even through the searing pain there is peace. Even through the unknown there is hope.