Tons of New Experiences...

Hi parents much apologies for the delay in updates, the computer and internet haven't been the most cooperative lately. Of course there is a ton for you to catch up on but we'll start with something more important...Romans 11: 36, "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever!! Amen." We are learning that life is a quest for truth, a quest for joy and a quest for a purpose. As we are discovering, ultimately all these quests have its end it God. So ultimately, life is a quest for God. We have been professional explorers and students lately under the direction of the great Mr. Mulvihill. Please pray for our abilities to comprehend and retain all this knowledge presented to us. The Bible has absolutely come alive and God's Word holds a greater meaning and we're all developing a richer understanding through Jake's in depth presentations as we are studying the archaeology, culture, geography, and history of the biblical world.

Friday we spent our last day at the University working among college students, building relationships with them and going deeper into life issues. The next group of leaders also took over for the day. They led the team starting at 2 pm and finished around 9 pm. They got a glimpse of what it felt like to plan and lead the team for a portion of the day. They had to figure out where our team was going to eat, our transportation, teach us the 2 chapters out of our spiritual leadership book on Spurgeon, have a time of fellowship, and any other ministry or activities they desired to add in the day. Amy, Jennica, Rachael, and Cody ran the show in a very tightly operated schedule. I'm suprised they didn't tell us when to breathe!! They all possess unique teaching styles and put their skills to the test with exemplary fashion and blew us away. We've enjoyed many meals at the same cafe because the staff is awesome and the food is even better!! Each night we usually have an hour or two of free time but everyone is so exaughsted bed always sounds like the best option.

Saturday we set off for Sardis with our hiking shoes and game faces strapped on tight. The heat was intense and the terrain was tough but they were no match for this team!!! Parents of daughters, you would be so proud and impressed with the way your girls absolutely dominated the Acropolis!! We took some amazing pictures, unfortunatelty no matter what the angle or subject, I don't belive any will do justice for what we experienced. We had a great day of seeing and understanding God's word. Later that night we went into the Sardis village and played frisbee, soccer, and other games with about 30 children and adults. It was great to simply show them Jesus love by our actions. When we left, they all ran after the bus, waving until we were out of sight. They treated us like movie starts.

Sunday was tough to rise but we all made it up and out the door for another crazy taxi ride to church. What an honor to be able to join one of the 96 turkish church congregations. The total congregation size was about 30 people. The congregation gathers to worship on the eighth floor of an office building and one way the Muslims try to discourage their worship is to shut off the elevator on Sundays. The service was entirely in Turkish but we enjoyed singing similar songs, reading out the same Bible, and experiencing communion together. After church we had a quick lunch and were ten miles past dead tired so most of the group retired to their rooms for a short four hour nap, it was a beautiful thing. We all converged around 7pm for a much missed American dinner at our choice of KFC or Burger King!!!! That was another case of domination, be proud parents. Know you are in our prayers and we can't wait to see you, ten days to go!! Tons of love, the Turkey Team

Tonights bio is of team member Molly Dukich. She has an extreme passion for music and one day would love to compose. It's very fitting that her one of her hobbies is just hanging out and listening to music. After spending some time learning about and to a certain degree experiencing Islam she has concluded it is an empty religion and pities the dedicaion of those who are engulfed with love for their Allah, it is an all encompassing lie. Her three word trip summary is Awesome. Conquering. Enlightening. Molly's favorite verse is Ecclesiastes 12:13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
In addition, this girl has an Awesome personality!!!