10. Oct 2023

Athen

Athens Day 1:
In Germany we have the saying when a person travels to Athens: "Are you going to bring the owls with you?" Owls are symbolic for wisdom and the statement refers to the thinkers and philosophers that would go to Athens in ancient years to discuss thier ideas. I only brought one owl of wisdom with me: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." During my time in Athens I would have a number of opportunities to share this "owl" of enlightment with a number of people.

Photo 1: Now I know why so much of Greece is seemingly desolate where I had walked through... everybody lives in Athens! Up on Lycabettus Hill where this photo was taken, I met a Hindu family from India. I asked the teenage son what his name was and what the name ment. I cannot remember the name, but I do recall its meaning: "Eternal Life". I shared my story with them how God began his work of grace in my life when I was the age of the son. I could have easily broken my neck in a diving accident, but God gave me life. Each day is like a gift waiting to be unpacked. A special day was when I said yes to Jesus when I was sixteen. Ever since I have been walking with Jesus. They were genuinely intetested in my story and had many questions about my walk to Greece from Germany. I gave them the "owl" I brought with me and prayed for them.

Photos 2+3: As far as the eye can see from the top of Lycabettus Hill is nothing but urban dwelling.

Photo 4: Today I joined Kennon and Amanda, Assembly of God intercultral workers in Athens, and their two asscoiates Allison and Tasman. They are connecting with university students and engaging them in life conversations about God and what it means to follow Jesus. I went with Kennon to the student center and felt impressed to talk to a young woman at a table who was representing a political party on the campus. It turned out to be the communist party and she claimed to be an athiest since she was six years old. I asked her how she came to that conclusion at such a young age. Her parents were athiest and she just followed in their way. I asked how she knows whether her parents are right or not in their belief that there is no God. I gave her that "owl" that I brought with me to Athens and said some things that perhaps she will think about. To my surprise she allowed me to pray for her... maybe the first shadow of a turn towards spiritual enlightment.

Dimitrios came by our group which was offering a free cup of coffee and a cookie to anyone who wanted it. Dimitrios did not want it. I noticed he was carrying a large bottle of water on his hand. I am also not a coffee drinker and had a bottle of water in my hand as well. I held it up and said: "There is nothing better than the water of life!" He stopped and we had a meaningful conversation about the God connection and God's purposes for our lives. Kennon joined the conversation and we were able to pray with Dimitrios for his thesis that he was working on and his journey through life.

Photo 5: On my way down from Lycabettus Hill I met Christian. He was wearing a typical felt hat from the area of the German Alps, so I asked him if he was from Germany. That was not the case. He is from Greece and earns his living by singing and playing his guitar on the streets. He bought the hat, though, in Südtirol which is part of the German speaking region in the alps. We started talking. I told him my story and he told me his. He was very much touched by the prayer I said for him and wanted to do something for me. So he sang a song... with his hat still off from the time of prayer.

There were other encounters at the hostel where I was staying, talks with people from France, Germany, Switzerland, and Israel. This "owl" of wusdom is for everyone!