Geography and Connections

When he had gone through those regions and had given the believers much encouragement, he came to Greece, where he stayed for three months. Acts 20: 2-3 NRSV



After four movies, two 30 minute sitcoms and approximately 1 hour sleep. We are getting close to Tel Aviv. The airline has a satellite map that tracks the process of the trip. Iceland is fine, no ash from the volcano and during this last leg of the trip, I have visions of Mr. Ruff’s 7th grade social studies class and the many assignments of tracing and labeling maps around the world. Looking at the screen I remember labeling Italy, Greece, Crete, the Adriatic Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.


It is quite a sight to see from the air under the broken clouds the definition of the Mediterranean shore line at the heel of Italy’s boot. Flying over Greece and thinking about Paul’s missionary journeys, but that is another trip for another time.


So far, I have met some ELCA Lutherans from Sheboygan Michigan, and United Methodist from Germantown, Tennessee. Germantown is just outside of Memphis and two summers ago our youth group stopped at this church on our way back from our mission trip to ASP. They graciously hosted us for the evening as we wrapped up our week of mission in Kentucky.


As I’m writing this, we are about 1 hour away from landing in Tel Aviv where we will gather our luggage and then make our way to Tiberius next to the Sea of Galilee.