Zone Conference, Thanksgiving and Delphi...

 We had a combined zone conference where all the missionaries either drove or flew into Athens for a preparation day to Delphi, meetings, a Thanksgiving celebration and brand new missionaries from the England MTC.  It was a very exciting time!

Ancient Greeks believed that Delphi was the Navel of the Earth, a place seen as a spiritual focal point for all Greeks; it included many sanctuaries and the most prestigious oracle in all of ancient Greece. This is where Pythia, the high priestess, uttered the divine advice of god Apollo to mortals who travelled from across the world to seek a prophecy. Apart from Greeks, the Oracle was visited also by foreign leaders and dignitaries who were anxious to know the will of Apollo on important state affairs.

It was a beautiful cloudy day filled with lots of tourists.  We visited the museum and then toured the grounds.  Afterwards, we went to the little village past Delphi where we ate a delicious meal.  

The Menu

None of us were brave enough to try the Ewe, goat, rabbit stew or rooster in wine sauce.  We had a delicious salad and chicken in a cream sauce. 

The next day we had Zone Conference and wonderful presentations and talks. The best was just being together with everyone.  We are spread out over Greece and Cyprus and usually see each other on zoom.  We were all uplifted and edified by our mission leaders and Zone and District leaders. 

The next day was a day of service and Thanksgiving.  We cleaned the church, organized the rooms, cleaned the windows, pictures, floors, bathrooms, etc.  Then we gathered for a turkey dinner courtesy of our branch president's wife who got it for us.  

The missionaries all brought food they had bought or made.  The best part was that it wasn't Thanksgiving in Greece and it was easy to go shopping.  Best deal ever. 

The next day we gathered at Mars Hill and the new missionaries were able to share their testimonies in Greek.  They did a fabulous job even though I don't speak Greek.  You could feel their sincerity.  Pictures were taken where it has been said that Paul preached and everyone found out who was training and their new companion. 

Then it was off to their new places in Cyprus, Crete, Thessaloniki and Athens.  We will miss the missionaries we have had but are excited to get to know all the new ones.  We are grateful we don't have to think about transfers!

In Preach My Gospel it reminds us that it is just as vital as what you do as it is to who you are and who you are becoming.  I am grateful for all we have been able to learn and hopefully we are becoming better followers of Jesus Christ.  It is hard to tell at times but that is our hope.  We love being missionaries no matter what.  Smiley face inserted here. 

Athens Marathon the Authentic

 

Map of the Athens Marathon Route and Incline

On our way home from church on Sunday, we altered the route we usually walk and went down one of the busiest streets in our area.  We walked for a mile along the Athen's Marathon path.  It was truly exciting to see runners from all over the world.  More than 70,000 runners from 140 countries ( record number) were registered to run either the classic route or the various other parallel road races hosted that weekend.  20,322 runners registered for the marathon portion. No qualifying time was necessary but you needed to be 18 years old or more. 

The route covers the same ground that the Athenian messenger Filippides ran when he brought the news of victory from the battlefield of Marathon 2,500 years ago.  The finish line is in the Olympic Stadium, named the Kalimarmaro stadium, and the birthplace of the modern Olympic games held in 1896.  

It is also the same course used in 2004 Olympics held in Athens.  Ed win Kiptoo from Kenya was the winner of the 4th Athens Authentic Marathon.  It was a new record of 2 hours, 10 min. and 34 seconds.  

  

There was a band playing Rocky, Chariots of Fire and other inspiring familiar numbers. 

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize?  So run, that ye may obtain.  1 Cor. 9:24  Our lives are lot like marathons.  We are able to run only as good as we have prepared.  Marathons are very grueling as evident in many of the faces that I saw as we watched.  They are also very motivating.  Back in the day, I prepared to run the Moab 1/2.  I knew I needed to be serious because I didn't want to be embarrassed and not able to finish the race.  I was grateful for my friend that I ran with because she kept encouraging me.  I ran behind her for some of the race, just trying to match her pace and stay up with her.  I am glad we don't have to run the marathon of life alone.