Familia,
One of the things I most enjoyed during this trip was to see the Bible opened in front of me everywhere I was. Furthermore, as I walked in those places studied in my courses of Church History or Theology, I was in my mind hearing the voices of Dr. Zaida Pérez and Dr. Thomas Buchan. Also, I had several flashbacks from my readings of Dr. Justo González church history books. Thus, I have to tell you Constantinople, Nicaea, Cappadoccia, Sardis, Philadelphia, Ephesus, and many other places that we read in the scriptures, but seems abstract to us because of the time and the distance, becomes a reality once you get there. To see the pages of the Bible opening up in front of my eyes and having a contextualized understanding of the words of St. Paul and the letters to the churches of the book of Revelation have become a priceless experience that I will cherish forever.
January 4th
The first day of our journey was an exciting time anxious to get to the places for many years I have read in the scriptures. A group of ten people departed from Orlando and met with another 13 people from South Carolina, Georgia, and Illinois at the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. Another couple and Dr. Bob Tuttle traveled from Cyprus and finally, a group of 26 people gathered at the city of Istanbul, Turkey. I slept at least half of the nine hours of flight and it was worth it since once we got in Turkey the next day we hit the ground running.
January 5th
We arrived to Istanbul and were welcome by Dr. Bob Tuttle and our tour guide Hakam. Then, we were escorted to the bus beginning the journey in the ancient Constantinople. Our first stop from the airport was the St. Sophia Church (Hagia Sophia). However, in our way, the tour guide point out across the bay the historical city of Nicaea, the place of the first Ecumenical Council of the year 325 A.D. were it was settled the disputed issue about the relationship of Jesus to the Father (the Arian doctrine). I want it to have a detour and walk in the streets of that place, but our itinerary would not allow us to make that happen.
We got into Hagia Sophia, which by the way, Sophia means wisdom; in other words, this church was not dedicated to a particular lady with the name Sophia, and rather it was dedicated to the wisdom of Jesus Christ. This worship place was the largest church in Christendom for 1,000 years until the St. Peter Basilica was built in 1626. Although this church became a Muslim Mosque from 1453 until 1934, most of the paintings and frescos from the Christian period remained in the building since the Muslims affirm that Jesus was a prophet and in the Koran there is a chapter dedicated to Mary (chapter 19th). Here, for whatever reason, security officers seized the microphone from my camcorder and returned to me once I left the premises of the church.
From St. Sophia we had a quick lunch at a restaurant closed by the Blue Mosque, which was the next place we visited. This Islamic house of worship was built during the reign of Sultan Ahmed I in 1616. The Mosque with its six minarets still operating as a worship place despite the fact it is also a tourist attraction. Thus, before we entered inside, we had to take off our shoes and quietly observe the beauty of this place and the Muslim faithful that comes to pray. However, after fifteen minutes inside the Mosque, we were told to leave since the time for the call to prayer was near.
After our visit to the Blue Mosque we walked to the Topkapi Palace, which was the official residence of the Ottoman Sultans from 1465 to 1856. As we were entering, we could hear the “Adhan” which is the Muslim call to prayer. To me it was very impressive since I am not accustom to hear such calls of prayer anywhere I have been before. Nonetheless, we were able there to appreciate the splendor of the monarchic era of the Turkish people.
By the time we left the Palace it was almost 5:30 P.M. We got into the bus and had a quick tour of some of the other historical places along the way (i.e. the Byzantine walls of the city and the St. Georges Church among many others) until we got into the hotel. There, we got 30 minutes to get ready for dinner and then the first session with Dr. Tuttle. He invited Mr. Ralph Elliott, a missionary from Campus Crusade for Christ that has been working in Turkey for many years.
January 6th
We wake up at 3:30 A.M. in order to pack and get ready to catch another airplane that will be taking us close to the Cappadocia region. At our arrival we got into a bus and drove another hour and half until we got into this area known for the Great Cappadocian Fathers Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, and Gregory of Nazianzus. This is also the home of Makrina, the sister of Basil and Gregory of Nyssa. Over there we visited the Monastery of Zelve in the town of Goreme, which is an amazing place. This area of Cappadocia has incredible rock formations and the monks built a monastery carving into the rocks. This place was an active place for Christianity worship from the Roman period until the exchange of Christians and Muslims between Turkey and Greece in 1925. Between 1925 and 1960, the Turkish government used the place to store food and as a stable until the UNESCO offered them to convert the monastery into a museum.
After we departed from Zelve, we made another two stops; the first one at the village of Avcilar, a place in which Christians carved their homes in the rocks as the monks did in Zelve. This place was quite challenging to me since the terrain is quite unstable with many hills. Of course, for Bob Tuttle it was like a cake walk. He will go to the top of the hills and shout “José, get up here!” The other village was outside of Goreme and although it was closed to the public, we were able to appreciate it and take pictures from the top of a mountain. In our way to the hotel, we stopped at a pottery house and saw how the locals made Hittite pottery. In this particular place from presidents to Martha Stewart has purchased these beautiful, handmade works of art. After that, we concluded our evening at a hotel located in the ancient city of Nyssa.
January 7th
I wake up at 4:30 A.M in order to get ready for a long ride of 450 miles to the ancient city of Antioch of Pisidia. This day was in the personal a highlight because it was the very first time in my life a touch snow. The main entrance of the hotel was covered with this white frozen stuff and as Sarah Campbell and I were making a snow ball, suddenly I felt a cold thing hitting the back of my head. It was Bob Tuttle who had the privilege of throwing to me the first snow ball of a 5 minute snow fight we had some of us at the entrance of the hotel.
Then, we got into the bus and had a slow ride since it was snowing along the way. To me it was beautiful since it was the very first time I was having such experience, but a nightmare to the bus driver who drove at a very slow pace throughout narrow roads most of the way until we reached out the city of Konya which in the Bible is known as Iconium (Acts 14:1-5), a city in which a mob almost kill the Apostle Paul. Nonetheless, before we got there we made a stop in a place that was used about six hundred years ago as a lodge for merchants and travelers. It was more a fortress than a hotel that protected people from bandits during the night time. Also, nearby we were able to see a tent made from goat hair as the ones made by the Apostle Paul. Finally we entered into the city of Antioch of Pisidia around 3:30 P.M. We entered the archeological site and at a place in which once stood a church dedicated to St. Paul, brother Daryl Outing preached the Word of God.
Then, we got in the bus and drove to the town of Pamukkale known for its thermal waters. By that time every single bone in my body was screaming. I was discovering the fact chasing Bob Tuttle is a painful task if you are not physically fit. However, God provided a wonderful blessing; this town is the home of dozens of thermal water springs and the hotel we were staying have an under roof thermal waters swimming pool. Thus, after our teaching session five of us jumped into the hot waters for about half an hour. Nonetheless, we had a lot of fun with an exchange between Bob Tuttle and Hakam during the class session. That evening, Bob decided to teach about the Muslim faith having a Muslim (Hakam) among us. Thus, our tour guide had to endure the rain of fire from Bob’s mouth for 45 minutes. At the end Hakam told Bob; “Listen, I am a reform Muslim; like the Martin Luther of the Muslims. I do not fast in Ramadan or pray five times during the day, and I like a lot of things from the Christian faith.” At the end Bob prayed for Hakam and that was the end of the story.
January 8th
By 7:30 A.M. we were in the bus moving to the archeological site of the ancient city of Hierapolis. This city that was built by the Romans is known for its white cascades, or calcium formations made by the springs with thermal waters. Furthermore, it is a place in which according to Eusebious, Philip was crucified upside down and then stoned to death. I tried to follow Dr. Tuttle and I succeed to make it to the coliseum area, but I failed to get into the site that tradition says Philip was martyrized. Thus I took pictures of him from the distance.
From Hierapolis we moved to Laodicea in which we spent time visiting the ruins of this city and Brian Sanderson preached the Word of God at the ruins of a Christian church. Then, we traveled to the Aegean coast to the city of Kusadasi. However, since early morning hours, Bob Tuttle was trying without success to convince the tour guide to take us to the city of Troy. Hakam was not happy about it. Then, Bob discovers the ruins of Colossai were in our way to the hotel. It was about 5:45 P.M. when Bob got into convincing Hakam to take us to this other city. The guide gave Bob all the reasons in the world not to go to Colossai, but Tuttle told him, “tell the driver to turn to Colossai”, which he did and ten minutes later we were standing in the top of this ancient city buried under a mountain of dirt in the middle of the night. After we got that awesome and unexpected experience, we went to our hotel.
January 9th
Kusadasi is a town near the ancient city of Ephesus, thus this morning we departed at 8:00 A.M. towards that city. We had an incredible time visiting the ruins of the city with its library and amphitheater and the Basilica of St. John, were Vicky Harrison delivered her sermon next to the tomb of the Apostle John. Furthermore, we visited a rug factory in which they made an incredible presentation of their products. Half of the group bought rugs in this place at an average price of $1,600.00. The rest of us spent our time watching how other people spent their money, making jokes, and drinking local beverages. From there we went to the Museum of Ephesus in which they have many sculptures and work of art rescued from the ancient city. Finally, around 3:30 P.M. we returned to the hotel in Kusadasi to enjoy the beauty of the Aegean-Mediterranean Sea and rest a little bit from all the hiking.
January 10th
As in most days, we got in the bus and drove many miles; this time towards the city of Sardis were we saw the ruins of the city. However, before we got there we drove by the city of Smyrna and read Revelation 2:8-11 and made a stop at a jewelry store. Then, we visited the city of Pergamum and got into a cable car in order to get to the top of the city. To me that was freaks show since I’m scare to heights. Then, from the top of the city Richard Harrison led us in the reading of several scripture passages. After that we went to the city of Philadelphia; and this is the original Philadelphia. Over there we saw the ancient walls of the city and had lunch at a local restaurant. Then, we rode in our bus hundreds of miles passing by thousands of vineyards on both sides of the road until we got into the city of Sardis. There we entered into the ruins of a large gymnasium complex and brother Mark Barfield read the letter to the church of Sardis (Revelation 3:1-5).
From the city of Sardis we begin our ride towards the city of Troas. Dr. Tuttle plead it to the tour guide to take us to Troy, but Hakam explain it there is not time for such visit. By the time we got to Troas it was around 4:45 P.M. We spent about twenty minutes wondering throughout the ruins and listening the history of the city from Hakam. After that we went to the Aegean shore were used to be the port of Troas. Sarah Campbell read the scripture that makes reference of Paul visiting Troas (Acts 16:9-10), then we had a group picture, and watched the sun come down. Certainly it was a beautiful experience.
As we begin to move again from Troas to Canakkale, Bob Tuttle continues his quest to convince Hakam to take us to Troy. Hakam explained him there is not much to see in Troy, it was dark, and we must be at the hotel before the dinner time (7:00 P.M.). We had covered a lot of territory in one day and from Troas to Canakkale it was a distance of three hours. But the bus driver broke the traffic laws driving most of the way at 120 kph and we were able to make it just by 7:00 P.M. That night Bob was really disappointed since we slept just 10 miles outside of the famous city of Troy.
January 11th
By 4:40 A.M. we were in our way to take the ferry that will be crossing us from Asia to Europe. It was our last ride with Hakam, and we were sad for the separation. After crossing the Dardanelles, we drove for about an hour and half until we got to a gas station. There we said goodbye to Hakam and Hassan (the bus driver) and got into another bus that would be taking us to the Greek border. This trip lasted about three and half hours until we got to the border were we presented our passports and spent an hour waiting for the approval from the Turkish government in order to cross the Evros River and get officially in Greece.
Our new tour guide’s name in Greece is Bula and the bus driver Demetree. Bula begin immediately to tell us about the history of the part of the country we were crossing which is Macedonia. In the midst of the presentation Bob Tuttle asked her if she could take her to Troy. And of course, everybody begin to laugh since it was a funny way Dr. Tuttle was trying to handle his disappointment for not being able to visit Troy.
Although the tour guide was unable to take us back to the Turkish border into Troy, she took us to the ancient city of Philippi. And at the spot in the river in which the tradition says Paul met Lydia and a Chapel-Baptistery dedicated to the Apostle Paul, Ann Story brought the Word of God during our daily devotional. After our visit to Philippi, we begin to travel toward the coastal city of Kavalla known in the Bible with the name of Neapolis and the place Paul landed from his trip coming from Troas. As we begin to have a bus tour of the city the bus driver begin to get agitated against the tour guide because she told him to drive around the narrow streets of the city. This man clearly was a sexist unwilling to take orders from a woman. The voice of the driver begins to raise decibels quickly to the point Bob Tuttle have to intervene. The tour guide was embarrassed and apologizes many times, although it was not her fault. Nonetheless, this was the first of several times we had issues with Mr. Demetree.
Once we got into our hotel room I was impressed. I think I got the best view of the whole group since I could see the old city built on the hills at my left and the Aegean Sea at my right side. However, at dinner time I was ready to get back into Turkey since I have an Atkins diet and I was able to eat a lot in Turkey, but in my first night in Greece the only thing I was able to eat was a few pieces of lamb in a tiny stick.
January 12th
Hungry and tired I wake up to find out that for breakfast the hotel had cookies, cakes, and all sort of things I could not eat. Thank God for the almonds I had purchased at the Turkish border that became my breakfast that morning. But all of that food suffering would end in a few hours. Bob Tuttle wake up with a sore throat; a cold was about to make a visit to his body. Nonetheless, we got into the bus and begin our traveling to the place in my opinion is the best city of Greece, Thessaloniki.
We arrived to Thessaloniki and I was shocked to see people living behind the city walls because it was the very first time I saw a biblical city active and thriving in its original location. The previous cities we had visited were ruins with a modern settlement nearby and in some instances; they had change their original names. And there it was Thessaloniki, the capital of Macedonia and the second largest city of Greece with a population of over one million inhabitants.
We visited Jason House (Acts 17:1-9) which is today part of an ancient church complex administrated by the Greek Orthodox Church, the ancient Roman Agora ruins, and the Basilica of St. Sophia in which Sarah Campbell delivered her sermon. Afterwards, we told Sarah she was the first woman to deliver a sermon within the walls of a Greek Orthodox Church in its history. Then, we went to the Archeological Museum of the city in which they have expositions from the archaic period until the byzantine time. After that we try to get into the St. George church, but the church was closed to the public. By that time Bob Tuttle was really quiet because the cold was taking over his body. Thus, we decided to take the rest of the day off to rest, do shopping, or eat gyros. I did the third option. GOD BLESS THESSALONIKI’S GYROS!!!!
That afternoon I went to Dr. Tuttle’s room and check on him, I gave him some Day Quil medication and some drops of the olive leaf I take every morning and then we walked throughout the city. That evening Dr. Tuttle did not teach his class since we had scheduled a visit to the Thessaloniki Free Methodist Church. Half of the group accompanied me under a heavy rain throughout the streets until we got to the small church. There, we were able to meet sisters and brothers from Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, and Nigeria. The highlight of the service was when we begin to sing amazing Grace in our home tongue. It was so beautiful to hear the different languages getting mixed in the air and brought tears to most of our eyes. At the end of the service we prayed for each other and for Dr. Tuttle.
January 13th
We begin January 13th with a visit to Pella, the birthplace of Alexander the Great and from there we make a stop at the city of Berea (Acts 17:10-12). There, at the steps of where tradition says the Apostle Paul spoke, brother John Tinnell brought a homage to Dr. Bob Tuttle, comparing him with Paul that made tearful every eye of the audience. At the end, Bob says; “This is the best eulogy in life I ever had. When I die Steve Harper will be preaching in my funeral, but I want Tinnell bringing a eulogy like this one. “
From Berea, we got on the road again, traveling this time to the monasteries of Meteora. Wow!!! There is no picture or video in the world that will make justice to the beauty and the workmanship made at these monasteries. And the view from the top of these mountains is incredible. We stayed overnight at a hotel closed by which in my opinion was the best hotel of the whole trip. Rhonda Howard brought the Word of God from a fireplace at an area next to the bar and it was beautiful to all of us be sitting by the fire in a cold night listening the message of the Lord. I also remember opening the balcony door at 9:00 P.M. and seen a full moon light and the stars shinning over the mountain and one of the monasteries that was in our view. I felt sad that Ada wasn’t with me the see such beauty.
January 14th
From Meteora we traveled for several hours through narrowed roads until we got to our next destination, the famous sanctuary of Delphi, known by the ancient Greeks as the “Center of the Earth.” We spent time at the museum and then at the archeological site. As a matter of fact, some of us was able to find the cave in which the “Oracle” was said. From Delphi we traveled to the capital city of Greece, Athens and pastor Mark Barfield spoke the message from the Lord, followed by the best teaching from Dr. Bob Tuttle. It was a wonderful time with the Lord at this hotel in the center of Athens.
January 15th
Thankful that we will be staying at the same hotel for three days we begin our visit of the city of Athens. We got a bus tour of the city making a stop at the stadium two Olympic Games has been celebrated. Then we went to the Aeropagus. There, we visited the Parthenon; followed by Mars Hill, the place I had the honor to speak the Word of God. Since I have a big mouth, my voice was listened all over the place to the point some of the tourists joined us to listen what I was saying.
After our time at Mars Hill we visited the Athens Agora and took pictures of an old church that was built during the byzantine period, followed by a visit to a Museum. From there we went to have lunch and paid 9.00 Euros for a Gyro to find out that across the street we could buy them for 3.00 Euros.
We were supposed to have the rest of the day off, but three quarters of our group decided to stick with Bob Tuttle and we visited the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Aeropagus Museum, and do some shopping in our way back to the hotel. That evening we had a healing service led by Dr. Tuttle in which we prayed for the healing of Steve and Pam Williams, Michelle, and many other people.
January 16th
We spent our last day in Greece visiting the ancient city of Corinth. In our way we made our first stop at the Corinth Canal that connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. Then, in our way to the Museum and archeological site Dr. Tuttle noticed a small wall in a top of a mountain. He asked the tour guide about what it was and she told him it was the Acropolis of Corinth. Immediately he told the tour guide and the bus driver to take us there. Thus, we made a detour to this citadel making this visit even more special. The bus begins the climb to the mountain in a very narrow road without guardrails. And as we moved upward the view of the coast was even more majestic. By the time we got to the point the bus could not drive any further. Dr. Tuttle jumps out of the bus and quickly begin to walk uphill toward the walls of the citadel. The temperature was cold and it was breezy, nonetheless we continue moving forward. At the end, Dr. Tuttle got to the top first than anyone within 10 minutes, the rest of us endured a walk that took us 20 minutes to get to the same spot.
After our visited Corinth’s Citadel, we went to the museum and archeological site and had a service at the same place the Apostle Paul was brought in front of the Governor Gallio (Acts 18:12-17) in which brother Allan Tarr brought the message of God for all of us.
Once we returned to Athens, that evening we had a communion service led by Dr. Tuttle, Pastor Sarah Campbell and myself concluding in this way the portion of Turkey-Greece of this trip. The next morning, Dr. Tuttle and 13 of the travelers left the hotel at 3:00 A.M. and the rest of us were transported to the airport at 8:00 A.M. Two of our travelers took a flight to Crete in order to continue their visit in Greece, another couple went to New Jersey in a different flight and nine of us flew in a Delta flight from Athens to New York.
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