TRAVEL DIARY 2

“When the day of Pentecost came…All of them we’re filled with the Holy Spirit…Now they were staying in Jerusalem Jews from every nation under heaven…from Cappadochia …What does this mean?” (Ac 2:1-12)

Today we travelled all over the land of Cappadochia in Turkey. There is no place on earth like this. The volcanic ashes mixed with the rain water and thewind has made some very strange designs unique in the world. Inside these natural structures the Christian believers in the first centuries came to hide from their persecutors. There are hundreds of caves connected underground. We saw the secret places where they were hiding, the place where they fed their animals, their kitchens…from place to place they had huge round stones that could be pushed even by the women to block some corridors from enemies who pursued them even below the earth.

We sang “He is Lord, He is Lord! He has risen from the dead, He is Lord! every knew shall bow, every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ in Lord!” I have sang this chorus at home or in the church, but nothing like singing it below the earth, in the very same place where our brethren, 2000 years ago, gathered to worship. The Word of God is fresh even in the caves:
“God exalted Him (Jesus Christ) to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father” (Phil 2:9-11)

We saw churches carved in the rocks, with the paintings still fresh on the walls. Believers from all over the world came to see those wonders. There are no services there. The area is an open air museum. But we followed the feet of our brothers and sisters who 2000 years ago came to settle in this area of unique beauty.
We gathered our courage and went high in a hot air balloon to see the sun rise. We saw the land of Cappadokia from the sky. I know that it is impossible to seat at home and imagine what I am trying to say… but one thing is clear, people come and people go…religions and cultures pass over the earth, in seasons known by Him alone. But God never changes. His stamp is on earth so that none can take His glory.

My friend…Lift up your eyes from the circumstances around you. These are too small to worry about them. Do not limit God! Life is more than work and eat. May you have the courage to obey God’s command: ‘Rejoice always!’ May the joy of the Lord crush the anxiety in you! If people underground could worship God Almighty, we have no excuse! Rejoice always! And I say again, rejoice!

(Just in case you think that I am joking, I am not. I am very happy with God, with my husband, with myself and with the dear brethren here).
The journey continues…