11. Oct 2023

Athen

Athens Day 2:

Photo 1: My friend Dirk gave me the wrist bracelet that says "I love Jesus!" He said I might meet someone along the way to whom I may want to give it, perhaps someone who would start their walk with Jesus. If just half the people who said they would start reading the biography of Jesus would actually do it, I am sure there will be those who will be walking with Jesus. Kennon gave me the "Pray for Greece" bracelet. Before God does something, he will have his people pray. Maybe that is why Jesus asked me to walk and pray through the Balkans. God wants to do something here.

Photo 2: Kennon showed me a few sites in Athens. This one is Mars Hill where Paul gave his short explanation of the hope we have in the death and resurrection of Jesus. This was the "owl" of wisdom he brought to Athens (see post from yesterday) and had just about 6 minutes to declare what was for the Greeks a new thought. When Paul mentioned the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, the thinkers and philosophers of the day mocked him and cut him off. They were convinced that nothing physical could ever be eternal. There are still many secular Euopeans today that still reject the notion of a physical resurrection and eternal life. The plaque next me shows the words Paul said in Greek as recorded in the book of Acts.

As Kennon and I walked through the city center, we had the opportunity to share this message with some people we met along the way. Perhaps that is what Paul did: Walked-Talked-Prayed.

Photo 3: The front page of the Moosburg Newspaper from the day I left Moosburg to start the long walk to Athens. It is God's grace that got me here.

Photo 4: The evening sun being reflected on the Pantheon as seen from Mars Hill.

Photo 5: Looking at the sunset from Mars Hill.

At noon I met with Kennon and our other colleague in Athens, Matt, for lunch. In the evening we had dinner at Kennon's with their families and with Tasman and Allison. I shared many stories from my journey in life and on the Snail-Trails. It was a great time of fellowship, encouragement and prayer.