Days 6 & 7 in Turkey and Greece (Pergamum, Assos, Philippi)

Well, the word for the past two days has been -- flexible. I'm not sure if you've heard this back in the states, but Turkey and Greece are experiencing a snowstorm of a lifetime. It is causing all sorts of problems all over both countries. They are not used to getting this much snow. As a result, it is causing us to have to change plans quite often. Isn't it interesting that I had to travel to Turkey and Greece to experience my worst snowstorm of the winter?

Yesterday, we were supposed to spend time in Pergamum. However, when we arrived at the site the city had three or four inches of snow. There were vehicles stuck in the snow all over the place and numerous vehicles in the ditches. When we arrived at the entrance to Pergamum, we were told that the road was closed going into the city. So, we had to turn around and head to the next site (which was rather precarious in the snow and on a bus).

On the way to the next site, we stopped for lunch and I had an opportunity to talk with the bus driver a little bit. My professor asked him if he had ever driven in the snow before. He told us that he had done his military service in eastern Turkey, and drove big trucks in the snow all the time. So, that means we were in good hands.

We headed to a smal town on a big hill called Assos. This town is only briefly mentioned in the Bible. It is mentioned in Acts 20 where Paul walks from Troas to Assos. He joins the rest of his group in Assos and sails from their to Mitylene. We were able to walk to the top of the hill. However, when we arrived at the site the gates were locked. After waiting for a little while, an older man came walking up with a key to the gate. He told us to hurry up because he didn't want to wait out in the cold very long. It was pretty funny.

From Assos we headed to our hotel in Canakale for the rest of the evening.

This morning we got going relatively early because we had to catch a ferry across the Dardanelles. That was. Very pretty ride. We were able to watch the sun come up over the mountains as we watched from the ferry in the middle of the straight.

From there we headed to the border of Greece. In order to make the border crossing easier, we switched buses to a company that does this for a living. We road that bus across the border and through all of the checks. We had to get checked by Turkey on the way to the border and by Greece coming out of the border. So, it took quite a bit of time.

The plan was to head from here to Philippi. However, plans, they are a changing. We found out that our travel guide is stuck in Athens--his flight canceled because of the snow. So, he is trying to figure out how to get to us. We also found out that Philippi is buried under a foot of snow or more. So, doesn't look like we're going to be able to go their either. Our professor is working some of his connections in order to salvage some of today. Yet, it's very possible we will end up at the hotel early tonight.

In reality, it's not a big deal. We have a warm bus to travel in and nice hotels to stay in. Also, it looks like the weather will be nicer for the rest of the trip. So, we continue to thank God for his blessing, even though we are unable to experience all that we were hoping. We continue to remind ourselves of what Paul said in Philippians (a letter to the city we stood outside), "11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me" (Phil 4:11-13).

UPDATE: So, after I initially wrote this post, we were able to make it outside the city of Philippi. The ancient site was closed because of the snow. However, Dr. Weima had a connection that worked out well. He knew the guy in charge of a Baptistry outside the city of Philippi. This is significant because Paul's first convert in Philippi was converted along the river outside the city of Philippi and baptized there. In Acts it says, "11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us" (Acts 16:11-15). This baptistry was built on the river outside the old city. It is a Greek Orthodox baptistry, so it was extremely beautiful. It was also pretty powerful to be in the place where Lydia was converted.

All of this to say, we traveled a lot today, but were still able to see some pretty cool things and experience a cool place. Although, we weren't able to enter Philippi, we were able to be outside the city and visualize what it looked like. We also traveled along the same road Paul traveled on between Neapolis and Philippi. They converted the Roman road into the modern day road. So that was pretty cool as well.

We also have a very gifted Greek bus driver named, Christos (Greek for Christ). He did a great job driving on some pretty nasty roads and got us to our hotel safely. Our hotel is in modern day Havala, what used to be called Neopolis. This is the port city into which Paul sailed from Troas. Our hotel is right on the harbor.

Well, it's about time for our evening teaching session. So, I need to get going. Once again I appreciate all of the prayers being offered for me and my family. It means much more than you realize. I also continue to pray for you. May God continue to lead and guide us on this trip and may He be glorified through everything we say, do, and learn.