The great theater in Ancient Ephesus
There was a lot different about this day in Turkey than our previous in Greece and Italy. There were no longer church bells to stop and listen to. It was a good but long day in the hot sun. We began our day heading up the hills of Turkey away from our port of Kusadasi. We had a brief stop at the Temple of Artemis with the Church of St. John in the background that we would visit later in the afternoon. Artemis one of the idol's Paul preached to forsake found in Acts. The temple housed an image that supposedly fell from heaven. The temple was believed to have been one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Those would come from the Roman Empire to see the ornate pillars. Well, I came from Tanzania and the pillar was large but the most fascinating thing about it was the stork's nest that made its home on the top of a sole standing pillar! 
The group made our way to Ancient Ephesus and I am not sure that our guide for the day took a breath! I am all about information, facts, and someone to know their stuff but this brother liked to talk. He talked all day long even through lunch!! It was an interesting day with our tour guide he loved to talk, was Muslim, and a very confident young individual. We enjoyed our morning in Ephesus but it was a bit overwhelming I have to admit. We marveled over the Aegean archaeology. Ionians in the 10th century BC colonized Ephesus but it's believed to have been inhabited by the Lelegians and Carians before that. The ruins that we saw was the city established by Lyssimachos, one of the generals of Alexander the Great. We saw the library, market area, a shop entry way with the marking of Christianity which would have been a great risk, public baths, pillars, and beautiful archways. It was quite large and took us hours to walk. We didn't even see each part and they say that is only 10% of Ephesus the rest is yet to be excavated. My new friend John Cornett (and wife Sandra) helped me with some of these great pictures of Ephesus. In my effort to be a helpful hand to some on the rough terrain my camera was on a not so great setting for some of mine. 
My favorite part of Ephesus was when we all gathered with both groups into the ruins of The Church of Mary. We sang, read scripture, and shared communion together. There were special times for our group in some pretty remarkable places on Earth. As I moved forward to dip my bread in the beautifully painted goblet. I couldn't help but thank my God for being a loving God throughout all ages who sent his son so that centuries later I too could know the saving truth that Paul preached about in this very place. 
Joy and Roy Lawson along with Evelyn and I outside of church
Our next venture was to a place where Turkish Rugs are made. We enjoyed an authentic cuisine for lunch. Don't ask what it was couldn't tell you but it was good. The process of this rug making was quite interesting. Someone was at the entrance who colored in dots (like a pain by numbers) as a template. Then, ladies were weaving these rugs that take months to create. They were beautiful! The group was then very interested in the silk worms and pulling them up from the water to see the fine silk. Of course then there was the presentation of the rugs while we enjoyed Turkish Tea. These were beautiful and extremely expensive creations. I have never felt a softer rug!
We were tired but we saw the ruins of the church of St. John believed to house the body of John the apostle in the tomb pictured to the right. However, we know these things are not certain.
By the time we got back to the ship we were all very tired and hot. I had a lot of thoughts as I completed today. There are letters to the Ephesians that we continue to read today. Paul spent three years and a great deal of time with ministry in Ephesus. But, sadly there is not a church in sight. Instead of church bells there are the call to prayer. My spirit had a very unsettled feeling while we were there and not the connection as in Ancient Ruins in Corinth. I think back to my reflections of Malta. Paul spent three unplanned months there among foreign people not of the Roman Empire. The island is the smallest of the European Union who to this day has their own language and country who stood firm when the threat of intrusion by the Turks came to their shores. I don't really have a point per say. But these are the thoughts that came from my reflection and time in these different places.
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