Constantinople,

It has been a very long time since I wrote on my blog,
almost forgot that I had one. Some interesting things have happened in the last year!


I was blessed to have the opportunity to go on a trip to Turkey! It was, aside from my expedition to African, the most amazing experience to date. We began our trip in Istanbul , where we stayed in hotel Emek for a couple of days, a few blocks from the Bosphorus River. We spent our last day in Istanbul visiting the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Visiting the Hagia Sophia was so surreal, it was the center of christianity in Asia Minor for 1,000 years before it's fall to the Byzantine Empire in 1453. After that, we took a ferry to Heybeliada Island in the Marmara Sea. The Island has one of the last remaining monasteries in Istanbul, and we were lucky enough to get a tour! We spent the evening eating dinner on the shore of the Bosphorus with the Lentz family. A beautiful evening,

After Istanbul we took an overnight bus to the ancient Biblical city of Ephesus. We lodged in the "Aphrodite's Palace", and spend the next few days touring the city. Visiting Ephesus helped me to put New Testament literature into perspective;; to have a visual for what you are reading about. It was amazing. We went to a family owned, Turkish rug making hose/business on top of a moutain, and observed how silk is made. We also visited the alleged home of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Apparently she moved to Ephesus after Jesus ascended, according to legend.

After Ephesus we went to Pergamum, Pamukkale, and Cappadocia. All ancient Biblical places.

Pamukkale "Cotton Castle" in Turkish, is where St. Phillip was crucified upside down and stoned on an olive tree. It is known for it's cloudy looking mineral pools that border the mountain. It was one of my favorite places that we visited!

Cappadocia is where the infamous "Fairy Chimneys" are located. Ancient Christians hid from persection in this region, where they carved their homes into the stone pillars and mountain sides. Imagination Village was the most interesting place we went to in Cappadocia. We also visited the site of where a scene from Star Wars was filmed.

After Cappadocia we went to Antioch, where we spent the next week working with a Church, helping Turkish speaking people with their English. It was in Antioch that I got an ear infection. It was decided that I should fly home early because of how dizzy I was getting. It was a sad decision, but probably for the best. I know I'll be back in Turkey someday, and I anxiously await that day.

What I loved about Turkey:
-The call to prayer; 5 times a day.
-Simit,
-The nationals; beautiful, amazing people with a heart for hospitality.
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