We are still trying to get acclemented to the time change. But since we have no reason to worry about it, we don't.
The island of Crete is situated between 3 continents. 100 kms from Europe, 175 kms from Asia Minor and 300 kms from Africa. It is the largest of the Greek islands at 260 kms long and 60 kms wide. With a population of 650,000 it is sparsely inhabited. With mountains rising to over 7000 feet and dropping down to the sea, it is limited in farmland yet is noted for its olives, goats and honey.
Yesterday we drove through the mountains and small villages to get to the south side of the island to find the port of Fair Haven. Acts 27 says this is where the apostle Paul landed on his journey to Rome. We soon found that no one, not even the Greek Orthodox church, knows of this event. When I showed some of them the reference in Acts 27, it became clear they did not know what the Bible is, who the apostle Paul is nor that Paul had landed in Fair Haven. We looked at a place where it could have been. Then we stopped at a family restaurant in a small village for a Greek Salad and gyros.
Today we headed to Knossos which is where the Mineon Palace ruins are located. Dating back to the time of Abraham (2000 BC) it is evident they had a developed culture with large, 3 and 4 story buildings primarily made of Cyprus wood. The site's religious ruins reminded us that all cultures have sacrifices to appease their gods. As we watched the multitudes of tourists from the cruise ships docked a few miles away, we realized how few then or now have looked to the lamb of God, the one sacrifice that truly pays for our sins.
At night we took a drive to Agios Nicholas. It's a quaint marina town with narrow streets, sail boats and in July and August will be packed with people from the mainland. Glad we came in the off season.
At night we took a drive to Agios Nicholas. It's a quaint marina town with narrow streets, sail boats and in July and August will be packed with people from the mainland. Glad we came in the off season.
As you can see from the pictures, NJ Blue Bear is having a great time, too.
3 comments:
We got in on the end of a sermon series in Acts this past season of life, so fun to see your pictures and hear you stories. Miss you guys, thinking of you as we transition away from W'loo too now. Funny story, apparently the couch/loveseat/chair we got from Matt & Jenny originally were from you guys :) Now we get to bring a piece of Iowa with us to Wisconsin :) - Amy L
so glad you are ALL enjoying Crete !
Sad but not so shocking. I thought of Jesus's letters to the seven Churches in Rev 2-3. We can read them now but just imagining the day they are delivered. Some remnant will be there and shock will be an understatement.
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