Saturday, April 13, 2013

3 Countries in 3 Weeks!

We are finally back and settled down in Bucharest after a busy month of vacation/meetings/family visit.  It is hard to believe that in 3 weeks, we got to see beautiful tourist sites in 3 countries - Turkey, Italy, and Romania. 

First we went to Efes (Ephesus), Hierapolis, and Antalya, Turkey.  It was amazing to walk the streets that the apostles Paul & John walked.  We also got to see the home of Mary, the mother of Jesus (after Jesus was crucified, resurrected, and ascended).  Here are a few pictures from our time in Turkey:

 
Behind us is the Celsus Library in Ephesus.

 
When Paul was in Ephesus, there was a huge riot in this theater.  The people were angry because Paul's preaching of only one God was hurting the idol-making business. 
(Act 19:23-41)

 
Walking on the ancient aqueducts in Hierapolis, which was mentioned in Colossians 4:13. 
It is near Laodicea.

 
The tomb of the Apostle John.

 
This church was constructed on the site where Mary, the mother of Jesus,
lived when John took care of her in her final years.  (John 19:26-27)
 

After our time in Turkey, Jessica's family arrived in Bucharest 3 hours after we arrived.  We spent some time visiting Bucharest, traveled to Rome, then went to visit Brasov, Romania.  It was really nice to have them visit with us.  Here are some pictures from our time with them:

 
After church on Sunday, we had lunch with our pastor Beni & his wife Anda (and our music pastor Alex who took this picture).

 
Raining at the Trevi Fountain
 
 
We came within 10 feet of Pope Francis.

 
After the "Papal Audience" in St. Peter's Square.


 
In front of the monument to Vittorio Emanuele II.

 
The Colosseum

 
Inside St. Peter's Basilica.

 
Just before we visited the Necropolis (under St. Peter's Basilica). 
We got to see the burial site and bones of the Apostle Peter!

 
 
Above the courtyard of Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle) in Romania.
 

 
Peles Palace, the summer palace of the kings of Romania (before 1947).
 
 

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