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Reflections from Europe

I heard a quote once saying that “the core of man’s soul comes from new experiences” and I think it’s true. I’ve never felt more alive than when I’m traveling. Seeing and experiencing new things outside the realm of everyday life is so important, especially with our stressful lifestyles. I noticed that Europeans seemed to live more fully, taking life at a slower and more intentional pace than is the usual here in the America. Having a seemingly simpler life, not an easy one but a simple one, I feel that we often over complicate things. hiking up Mt. Vesuvius or exploring various other sites brought me so much peace. Something about the journey up the volcano or the mountains in general made me feel closer to God with every step. I have taken nature for granted, but this helped me to reconnect with it and was very renewing for my soul. I could see beauty everywhere I turned, with the diversity and originality of people’s homes and shops, all portraying their stories, not conforming to one uniform style. It was beyond words. I took so many pictures but none can do justice to the beauty everywhere. I wished I could freeze an image in time and refer back to it whenever the dust of Lubbock gets to be too much. The mountains and hills were breathtaking, and whenever we were able to hike I savored every minute. There’s something about being above everything else and looking down— seeing how small and insignificant we really are. It sounds demoralizing, but to me it’s really reassuring. God’s power can be seen so evidently in his creations to the point where just existing in it automatically puts you at ease. I already miss the views so much, but I am beyond thankful to get to experiance the wonder of places that many live, many will never visit, and many wish to be. The nature was my favorite part; I loved looking around and appreciating the shores, mountains, and country sides. We don’t have a lot to look at in Lubbock, but it has honestly made me appreciate this trip so much more.

Sometimes you have to get away in order to appreciate the simple things. This trip was so influential in shaping how I see the world and the people in it. I’ve traveled out of the country several times but never really let the experience set in and let it affect my daily life. That’s why I enjoyed journaling, and I’m going continue doing it because I enjoy being able to look back and remember the experiences I’ve had. At least for me It isn’t enough to just live in the moment, sometimes you need reminders of the stories and memories that each site, hotel, or street holds. We took thousands of steps on grounds where so many people before of us had walked and where so many stories that shaped our world today took place. I remember learning in school about these things we now were able to physically see and experience in person. Therefore, it was special to piece together the lessons we learned, with the actual historical sites and art pieces.

Of course this trip was also super fun because I got to connect with my class more ways then I would while just at school. So many memories were made, and I got closer with a lot of people. I am glad that we got to go this year, because now we have the opportunity to build off of these memories with classmates going forward into our senior year, as opposed to the current seniors, who won’t have much longer together as a class. I also reflected a lot in my life and how high school will soon come to an end. I decided to just live and enjoy even in the hard moments because you never know the value of a moment till it’s gone.

This is a trip I feel like every person deserves to take. We are so fortunate to have gotten to do it at such a young age.

-Lily Baier

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Roman Holiday

Hey! It’s Preston Holtzman, and I am going to summarize our adventures in Rome, Italy! First of all, our tour guide, Antinino, was so much fun and I learned so much from him today. Instead of having a tranquil, quiet-voiced guide like our Greek guide, Caleopie, Antinino was loud and lively. He loved to be interactive with the group while he taught us about Roman history and culture. We started out by walking around the busy city and seeing many different sites. My favorites were the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, and the Trevi fountain. I thought it was cool that the Pantheon was originally a Roman temple, but is now a Catholic church, still used to this day. My friends and I ate lunch at a small restaurant near the Trevi fountain, and I had really good pasta. Of course, afterward I had to get some delicious gelato before we started touring again. 

     Antinino then took us past the Roman forum to the Colosseum. We unfortunately were not able to tour the inside of the Colosseum, but it was amazing to be near it and to think of all of the history inside it. I learned that in 1349 an earthquake destroyed a side of the Colosseum. Thankfully, most of it is well preserved. We then made our way to the church called The Basilica San Pietro in Vincoli. This translates to “St. Peter in Chains”. To be honest, I did not realize that the building was a church until we walked in. On the ceiling, there was a beautiful mural called The Miracle of the Chains. On the right side of the room, there was the unbelievable statue, Moses, created by Michelangelo. This statue had to have been one of my favorite sculptures of the entire trip. His long beard was my favorite part because of how realistic it is. In the center of the church were the authentic chains that bound Peter. I have no idea how they got these, but it is amazing to think about the history of the chains. 

     We said goodbye to Antinino, and had free time in the city until dinner. My friends and I walked around for hours and got souvenirs from different shops. We ate dinner at Est Est Est, and it was delicious. My favorite thing we had there was the pasta. Yes, I did have pasta for lunch and dinner, and it was amazing. After dinner, we drove past the Colosseum when it was dark and got to see it lit up. It looked really remarkable at night. We then drove back to the hotel. 

     Today was the perfect last day in Europe. We got to see and learn so much about Rome. I am so thankful to experience such a rich history and culture.

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Reflection Upon Athens

Athens is a city that has been populated for centuries upon centuries. This city has layers of history within its walls as well as boasting many buildings older than our country. It is difficult as Americans to truly understand that some of the buildings they are using today could very well have a brick from over two thousand years ago.

Over the course of our visit in Athens and the surrounding areas, I was able to see buildings and ruins that would be considered masterful work today though they were created thousands of years ago. The Greeks ability to capture movement and motion within their statues and buildings is truly remarkable. The Greek’s attention to detail and constant striving for beauty is masterfully displayed in the Parthenon. From the angle of the columns to the curve of the floor, the Greeks were able to capture the most visually perfect temple that we know of today. Ancient Greeks understood the optical illusion your eye creates with lines and accordingly changed the angles of there columns to slightly slant inwards. They also sloped the floor of the temple to curve inward. This skill and attention to detail shows just how advanced and intelligent these people were. Over the course of this trip, and especially in Athens, I was shocked to learn about how the ancient people lived and how similar it was to culture today. As I walked around Delphi I experienced how this place boasted many of the customs that we have today, as well as improving in some places. Walking up the slopes we were surrounded by ancient treasuries for those making this pilgrimage to give to Apollo. Within this one mountain civilization the Greeks managed to include a stadium, market, banks, oracles, and even a chariot racing track. This was also built two thousand feet above the ground causing all of the building materials to be imported up treacherous slopes.

Along with this, the place was organized in such a way that when coming on a pilgrimage you would first tend to spiritual matters, then go to the next terrace where the mind was dealt with, and finally to the top where the body was exercised. This layout demonstrated the Greek hierarchy of things. Your soul is the most important, followed by the mind, and then the body. This attention to detail is something that truly makes all Greek works stand out against their Roman counterparts.

This trip showed me that despite many similarities between these ancient cultures and the ones of today the Greeks managed to excel in their attention to the beauty of things and the art of making something worth appreciating. This is something that our modern culture does not seem to appreciate or emphasize as heavily. Learning this lesson from the Greeks would help us to become a more beautiful culture.

-Garner D. Canada

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Class of 2025 Grand Tour Wrap Up

Hello! This is Reagan Ramsey reporting from the airport! We are on our way back from the Grand Tour! The past 14 days have been a whirlwind of museums, hikes, restaurants, guided tours, city walks, and delicious food. We have visited 2 countries: Greece and Italy and we have visited 13 cities: Athens, Delphi, Corinth, Mycenae, Olympia, Patras, Ancona, Florence, Naples, Pompeii, Pozzuoli, Cumae, and Rome. Through our tour guides we have learned so much and seen so many beautiful things! My personal favorite things from Greece were the Acropolis and the Plaka! I loved the Acropolis because the view from the top was the whole city! It was beautiful! Thinking about people in ancient times living their day to day life there was so incredible. I loved the Plaka because it was a beautiful representation of Athens’ current culture! My favorite thing from Italy was the view from the top of the Duomo. When we climbed the Duomo, we were in a time crunch and had to practically run up the stairs, but the views were so incredible and well worth the work!

A big lesson that I have learned from this trip relates to Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”(NIV) There have been multiple times on this trip when I have been dreading the next activity(the Duomo steps was one of the many), but every time I have been so thankful that I persevered! God has shown me so much beauty in his creation and impressed upon me the importance of trusting the process, because even when the stairs start to burn the view from the top is well worth it!

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The Beauties of Greece

Our stay in Greece has been filled with beauty and adventure in all forms. Today, we drove to a Temple of Poseidon but were not able to get close as it happened to be Greece’s Independence Day. We did, however, get to climb across giant rocks by the Sounion coast and hike up a hill covered in vibrant wildflowers. I cannot even describe how gorgeous the nature is here. Then, we headed to the airport where our flight to Paris was delayed by a few hours, giving me time to reflect on the Grand Tour so far and the contrast between new and old beauties I have seen recently. Athens, especially, has shown me both the preserved antiquity of the city and also the joyful, buzzing traditions of the present. Yesterday morning, our class was stilled to silence by the looming Parthenon, surrounded by sprawling remains of stones and pillars. But hours later, we were dancing through the streets with the locals and proudly yelling “Opa!” It has been interesting learning how to divide my attention between reflection of the past and the excitement of the moment. Earlier today, Dr. Martens shared a quote with us by Martin Heidegger: “This single gesture of the land suggests the invisible nearness of the divine and dedicates to it every growth and every human work…”. That really stuck with me because it is very true for our trip so far. Everything I have seen, both ancient and modern has pointed to both the artistry of God and the creativity of the people He made. It has all been beautiful, but I’d have to say that my favorite experience so far was our dinner in the Plaka area. We all dressed up and spent the night clapping and dancing to the musicians’ music. Locals joined in as we held hands and ran in and out of the restaurant, and some girls were even lifted over the guys’ shoulders. It was all very Greek, and definitely a cultural experience I will always remember and laugh about. But whether it’s the sight of Mars Hill where Paul preached about the unknown god, the amazing food after hiking a mountain, hacky sack with strangers, or karaoke on a hotel rooftop, I have found beauty and adventure of all kinds in Athens. This journey has truly been something I will never forget. I am so grateful to KPA for making this happen. But as much as I have enjoyed every moment I’ve been here, I’m so glad to be coming home. We will see you all soon, with over four thousand pictures to share. Ἀντιο, Greece!

Abi Towell

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The Acropolis & Delphi

As the sun rose over Athens, the air was crisp and filled with promise. Our hotel, nestled in the heart of this ancient city, offered a serene start to the day made all the better by a quick breakfast of Greek pastries. It was a perfect way to fuel up early in the morning before a full day of exploring.

We began our day with a visit to the Acropolis, a symbol of ancient Greece’s ingenuity, beauty, and artistic achievement. Standing at the foot of the Acropolis, the Parthenon’s grandeur is undeniable. The structure, dedicated to Athena, the goddess of wisdom and warfare, showcases not only architectural brilliance but also the deep understanding of mathematics and geometry that the ancient Greeks possessed. It’s remarkable to think that such a colossal and mathematically perfect structure was built with no modern tools, relying only on human creativity, manual labor, and an understanding of proportions that still captivates architects and engineers today. It was amazing to see something that was a result simply of human ingenuity, no computers or heavy machinery required, stand the test of time.  It made me reflect on the magnificence of human creativity, which, when guided by vision and skill, can produce lasting monuments, such as the Parthenon, that transcend time.

The height of the Acropolis yields a perfect view of Mars Hill, or Areopagus, where the Apostle Paul once stood to preach the gospel to the people of Athens. It was here that Paul famously addressed the Athenian philosophers and citizens, challenging them to understand the true God who had revealed Himself through Jesus Christ. Mars Hill is not just an important place in the history of Christianity; it is also significant in the history of philosophy. Just a few centuries before Paul’s visit, Socrates would have likely walked these same steps, delivering the speech recorded in Plato’s Apology. Mars Hill symbolizes a crossroads of faith and philosophy: where the wisdom of ancient philosophers and the gospel of Jesus Christ intersected.

Paul's sermon on Mars Hill was a challenge to the Athenians to recognize the God they worshiped without knowing. His words were not just a rebuke but an invitation to understand the true nature of God. As I reflected on this, I was reminded of how many today still seek meaning and truth in places and ideas that can't satisfy their hearts. Paul’s words are still relevant today, offering an invitation to seek and know the God who created all things.

After our time at the Acropolis, we boarded the bus for our journey to Delphi, where we toured the museum and the ruins. The site was truly unique and it was incredible to see the inscribed maxims of the Ancient Greeks among the ruins. The thing which stood out most to me was the stillness of the air, it seemed to me an echo of the stillness of the now gone ancient world, which we were there to learn about and experience.

After taking in the magnitude of the ruins at Delphi we were treated to a delicious late lunch at a local restaurant where the lamb chops were magnificent. An amazing lunch was followed by a bus ride back to Athens filled with reflection and fellowship. 

As we made our way back to Athens after our visit to Delphi, I couldn’t help but think about the grand tapestry of human history that we had experienced in just one day. From the philosophical debates of Socrates to the bold proclamation of the gospel by Paul, from the awe-inspiring engineering of the Parthenon to the prophetic significance of Delphi, this day was a reminder of the greatness of human creativity, intellect, and faith. This trip has been an experience that will remain with me for the rest of my life, and I am certain that as the action of the Grand Tour slowly shifts back into the hustle and bustle of daily life that neither these magnificent sites seen nor these personal moments of reflection and fellowship shared will be soon forgotten.

Braxton Van Wettering

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Delphi Diaries: Reveries into Reality

When the French archaeologists paid 1800 francs as compensation for the village they were about the excavate, they never realized the impact that would shake the world historically and culturally.

Delphi, derived from the greek word delfíni, translates to dolphin. The name’s origin is from the story of Apollo, who at the time travelled on a dolphin and claimed the area as his own. Apollo, commonly known to the masses as the god of light and truth was more known for purification and sanctification in Delphi. This goes along with the purpose and theme of Delphi; baffling prophecies, captivating scenery and the mystical and enigmatic oracles.

Arriving at the sight, you can to expect to find dazzling flowers and other such flora. However, do not let that distract you from the glimpses of temples and forming visions of timeless marble columns; the true centerpiece of the show. Our group got through security and began our journey through the museum.

The museum provided a preview of the what we could expect from the ruins and lovely works of art taken from the site for preservation and tourism. The Charioteer, a brilliant bronze sculpture, took all the spotlight. A picture is included below for reference, and I must say, seeing it in person, made me want to stare at it for hours. Bronze sculptures are exceptionally rare - most were melted into coins - but this one was a lucky survivor.

They say the eyes are the window to the soul, and the Charioteer is no exception. The eyes actually are practically perfect, as he is blessed with impressive long eyelashes and painted irises that put me in a trance. About all bronze sculptures are made from a mold, so therefore hollow by default. Because the Charioteer is made from a mold, it is admirable of the length and definition of the eyelashes, considering how thin they are. In most cases, the eyelashes would have snapped off with time, but these remain fortunately in its original form.

Moving onto the actual ruins, our group climbed up the stairs into the area of the oracle, theater, and finally made our way into the stadium. The area of the oracle was mostly deteriorated, but long ago it would have been a magnificent marble masterpiece on the exterior, and fantastical place in the interior. The oracle, a priestess, would have sat on a tripod (three - legged stool) and while inhaling the rising fumes (poisonous gases) would cry out “prophecies” as a result from ecstasy. From there, interpretations were up to the receiver.

The theater, only a couple steps up from the oracle, is a sea of carefully designed seats and waves of columns. Once again, picture is included below. There multiple productions would take place, and unlike a couple of roman theaters left, no more shows take place there. After flights upon flights of steps and battling against the force of gravity, me and the rest of the group made it to the stadium, similarly designed as the theater, including seats and a space in the middle. In the field a variety of competitions would take place to prove one’s athletic abilities.

These three areas conclude the main places of Delphi, each packed with intriguing history and boxed by dancing plants and sturdy trees. And a most welcomed and delighted plethora of friendly dogs and elegant cats, picture included below. Me and the rest of the group was more than satisfied, and I would have to say it is my favorite spot we went to! The experience seemed ethereal, something so fantastic it seemed fantastical.

~*{Lilly Vazquez}*~

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Pompeii & Mt. Vesuvius

Hello! This is Chandler Freeman, and I will be blogging today about the ancient city of Pompeii! Today we explored the ancient city of Pompeii and the volcano that destroyed it, Mount Vesuvius. The city of Pompeii is about thirty minutes from the hotel we are staying at in Naples, and immediately upon arrival, the beauty of the site is overwhelming. The landscape is stunning, and the greenery and nature around the city is so abundant, mostly due to the soil of the city being rich in nutrients due to the volcanic ash. The buildings, or rather what is left of them, are so interesting to look at. There are some recently renovated pieces that were added on to add stability and a better understanding of the original design, for example wood ceilings and doors. It was so cool to see how well preserved the city truly was. Inside the city, there is a house with visible lettering on the front of it that says “Cornelium.” This was the name of a politician that was supported by whoever owned the house back then, which is similar to how our society works with yard signs for different politicians. The roads in the city are all original cobblestone left exactly as they were in the past. You can still see the ruts in the cobblestone from years and years of carriages passing through the streets, eroding away the cobblestone over time. Another great feature that we can see to this day is the parking mechanisms that they used to park their horses. They essentially drilled a curved hole in the raised sidewalk, and they would feed a rope through to tie up their horses while they went in to wherever they were going. The ancient city was so civilized and advanced, and it was so cool to see the thought process and advancements they made.

Mount Vesuvius was the cherry on top to the trip to Pompeii. Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, and buried the entire city of Pompeii in ash. The hike up this volcano was a very long and steep one. It was the hardest trek of the trip for sure. However, it was more than worth it once arriving at the top. The view at the top was absolutely gorgeous. You could see for miles. The cities surrounding the area were so beautiful from the top. Looking into the volcano, it was a little different than I was expecting. There was vegetation and plant growth in the middle of the crater, which is once again due to the high nutrients in the soil from the ash. It was a little frightening because there was some smoke coming out of the side of the crater, which is due to the volcano still technically being active. It could erupt again at any time, so the smoke is just normal activity. It was so amazing to see the most famous volcano and the city buried in ash that we’ve heard about since we were kids. It was such a good experience, and it was what I was looking to forward the most. I can now say it definitely did not disappoint.

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When in Greece…

This morning we woke up in the quaint Bay of Tolo! Many students rose early and walked a few blocks down to a nearby waterfront to catch the sunrise. Before departing, we joined together in worship and heard a devotional from Mr. Dowell where he challenged us to see how we are being created and seen by God in the same way that ancient artists saw scultpure within stone. After a quick bus ride, we made a quick stop in Nafplion, which was the first capital of Greece! Here we saw a 900 year old olive tree. And, their streets were paved with marble tiles!

In the countryside on the way to the acropolis of Mycenae, the land was filled with beautiful agricultural crops like lemon, orange, apricot, and tangerine trees. Beautiful rolling hills are bookended by the ocean and snow capped mountains. The landscape is breathtaking. In Mycenae, we visited the grave of Agamemnon which is renowned for its architecture. This beehive tomb was built using Cyclopian masonry. Thirty three concentric layers of stacked stones move inward towards one stone at the top, creating a dome. Impressively, the lintel of this tomb is 118 tons. As our group sang the Doxology in the tomb, I felt the presence of the Lord as we sang His praises in this ancient space with amazing acoustics. Just up the road sits the acropolis of Mycenae. We learned that, in 1876, Henry Schlieman excavated “Grave Circle A” where he discovered skeletons, gold, and weapons. This excavation gave us further insight into this civilization’s beliefs on death and the afterlife. After a traditional Greek lunch, we headed to ancient Corinth. 

We learned that ancient Corinth was very diverse with a population of 500,000. Seeing this place where Paul preached was awe inspiring. We saw the tent making shop where he worked and the temple where he was judged. I loved the Greek inscription near the beema which came from  2 Corinthians 4:17. It says, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” These sights come to life when matched to the Bible. A nearby  theater dedicated by Erastus corroborates his friendship with Paul as written in Romans 16:23. I loved the way this validates Scripture. We headed to the Corinth canal which was massive in length and depth. Overall, I am consistently impressed with the innovation and skill of the people and cultures who built these amazing and thoughtful structures.

After our bus ride, we settled in at Athens and headed to diner. On the way to dinner we passed by the Athens Parliament and the tomb of the unknown soldiers. We walked to dinner and stoped by at the market on the way. The market is buzzing with energy, the culture here is so infectious. 

After a drive to Athens and hotel check-in, we did a quick shopping run at the market. The market is buzzing with energy, the culture here is so infectious. Then we headed to dinner in the Plaka. We walked up candlelit steps filled with locals, restaurants, and music to our evening dinner. This felt like an immersion into Greek culture as we listened to musicians and joined in traditional dances. Our whole class enjoyed the dancing, the rhythm’s, and the “Opas!”

Today highlighted the juxtaposition of the ancient world, the modern world, Roman influence, and the Christian faith. In the wonder of God’s creation and man’s handiwork, I know that we were created to worship Him. I will cherish this day. As I reflect on the experience of this Sunday, I’ll end with words from the Doxology, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.”

~Lily Scarborough

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Corinth and Mycenae

Today we traveled around multiple areas of Greece to visit Ancient Mycenae, Ancient Corinth, and the Corinth Canal. 

We started our travels early in the morning with breakfast and Sunday morning devotional by the poolside of our hotel overlooking Tolo bay. We sang the doxology and listened to a sermon from Mr Dowell. Afterwards, we boarded the bus and headed to our first stop of Agamemnon’s tomb and Mycenae.

We stopped at the tomb of Agamemnon which sat just outside of the ruins of Mycenae. When we walked inside the beehive shaped tomb we marveled at the height and simplicity of the structure. We then started singing the Doxology again to hear it echo off the ceiling and walls. The sound of the song echoing was extremely powerful and moving.

Afterwards we walked through the ruins of Mycenae.

After a short bus ride to Corinth we walked through the ruins exploring where the Apostle Paul worked and was put on trial. With broken columns and sections of the buildings all across the field, the site was less preserved than what we saw of Pompeii or Herculaneum. It was however impressive to see the historical evidence of Paul’s stories and proof of the Bible. 

We were able to pass over the Corinth Canal off the Peloponnesus, onto mainland Greece, which was an amazing structure. 

We ended the day in Athens.  After some light shopping we

had dinner at a Greek restaurant.  It was a fun time for those that love music and dancing as there was a live band and dancers.  Such a full day of both historical and cultural events.

-William Graves

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Culture of Naples

Today, we got to experience Naples with a guided walking tour. In this tour, we explored the culture and Neapolitan lifestyle. My personal favorite thing we got to see in this tour was the culture’s attitude toward the Catholic Churches nearby. 

One of our first encounters with the Catholic community was in the streets of Naples. There was a group of people dressed in white walking in a small parade. While they walked, they sang and played instruments. It seemed like some type of hymn or worship song. Then the leaders of the group would come forward and ask for offerings and donations. This, to me, was a beautiful representation of honoring Christ with reverence and tradition. 

The second encounter we had with religion in Naples was when we visited two of the local churches. They were both so beautiful and full of history. The windows were colorful and most of the building was lined in gold or marble. 

After this, we went on to explore more of the city which was a lot different than I expected! The city itself was buzzing with people from all walks of life. There were a lot of vendors and flower shops. My favorite was the wide verity of musicians who lined the street. It added to the ambiance in just the right way! 

Overall, I really enjoyed today. I am so blessed that I got to experience it with my classmates! 

Thank you,  Madeline Pendergrass

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Phlegrean Fields

Today we took a trip to the Phlegraean fields, the most densely populated volcano in the world. Half a million people live within its 77 square mile caldera. The fields are home to the Ancient Greek settlement of Cumae. There we explored the ruins of supposed military fortifications and unidentified temples. A stand out feature was the presence of earthquake resistant architecture in the ancient structures. After visiting Cumae we travelled to the neighboring town of Pozzuloi. We visited an ancient market that had spent centuries submerged in the ocean due to volcanic activity causing ground movement. We then visited a volcanic crater and watched the plumes of volcanic gasses rising from the area. Both these ancient cities are a testament to the beauty that can be found in destruction but as we saw at Pompeii beauty can also be deadly.

Matthew Jenkins

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Pompeii

Hello from Italy! This is Bella Lampe and I'm writing about our day in Pompeii! This morning we took a tour of the ancient ruins of Pompeii that were preserved by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. It was so amazing to see how well every part of the city has held up over the years! I was suprised to learn how advanced the community of Pompeii was so many years ago! They had running and heated water, plumbing, and even fast food! There is also 1/3 of Pompeii that still is yet to be uncovered. It was so cool to see!Then in the afternoon, after lunch at an amazing vineyard, we climbed up to the top of Mt. Vesuvius! The climb was a bit difficult, but definitely worth it for the views! You could see as far as the sea and the bay of Naples! There was also steam coming out of the mountain. It was so much fun to see!

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Olympia

Today we visited the ancient sites of Olympia. Olympia is most commonly known for the founding of the Olympics which is the sporting event held around the world which many countries will participate in and attend to watch. We got to see where the athletes would train in their gymnasiums and what the environment of their training looked like. In some spots we could see the footprints of the athletes where they trained in the gymnasiums centuries ago. We learned that ancient athletes would anoint themselves with olive oil to protect themselves for the sun and to please Zeus. We also learned of their Doric and Ionian pillars scattered in ruins that came from temples. It was hard to comprehend how truly massive the pillars were as just the top of one of the pillars at the temple of Zeus weighed over twenty tons.

We all got to compete in a foot race with each other on the ancient stadium where the Greeks previously raced centuries ago. In the boys race Michael came in first and in the girls race Lily S. came in first. It was crazy to learn how the ancient athletes would race barefoot on that exact track we ran on. It confused me as outside the gates of the stadium the Greeks would place statues of athletes that had cheated to dishonor them while statues were placed all around the sites of Olympia to honor others.

After this we made our way to the Archeological Museum of Olympia. In there we learned of cauldrons and tripods significance to the ancient Greeks. The cauldrons were popular offerings that would contain water or other substances for rituals. These cauldrons would be decorated with many mythological creatures and held great artistic value. The tripods were originally purposed as utensils to connect a fire and hearth but in Ancient Greece they were used as prizes for the games and were the most splendid and common offerings in the sanctuary. We also got to see the statue of Hermes that was excavated form the temple of Hera in 1877.

We spent the majority of our day traveling on our bus except for when we stopped for lunch and to use the bathroom. We are now stopped in a hotel in the town of Tolo on the gulf of Argolis. This town is so peaceful, calm, and beautiful that i wish we could spend more of our time here. I am excited for our adventures tomorrow in Mycenae, Corinth, and Athens and what further gifts God will bring us.

- Cooper Solberg

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The Impact of Olympia

The Olympics are an internationally known sporting event that have been a tradition for multiple centuries. It is filled with many different types of athletic games, heartfelt stories, wonderful victories, and upsetting losses. I have found in my life that sports are a wonderful tool in connecting with multiple different people. Today, the Olympics are able to bring people together from one’s next-door-neighbor to strangers from another country across the globe. Watching and enjoying sports are obviously common in our current culture, and traveling through Olympia today, I found that it was not very different in the times before Christ in ancient Olympia.

Olympia is filled with beautiful birds chirping their lovely songs and is covered in tiny, cute wildflowers that make the walk through the wonderful historical site very serene and tranquil. Our terrific and informative guide, Kaliope, told us that Olympia is considered as a female due to the tradition of worshipping and honoring Mother Nature and attributing the wonderful creation of this place to their beloved goddess.

I loved learning about all of the different columns that are around Olympia. We first saw both a mix of Doric and Ionian columns around the area where the athletes would train. One amazing site was walking up to a large rock which our guide taught us was actually the top of a column that had fallen down from an earthquake many years ago(first picture). The top of the column was so unimaginably large that it truly was a sight to see. Weighing at an impressive twenty tons, the fallen top was able to show us how grand the columns really were. Many of the columns around the temple of Zeus were fallen and broken down which gave us great views of them up close to inspect. We also learned about a temple that originally had wooden columns but were replaced one by one with stone columns over time. We finished journeying through the grounds of Olympia with a class foot race on the original track of Olympia. It was very exciting to be standing in such a monumental place. The thing that was most interesting to learn was that where the athletes trained there was also a school for them to learn. Participants of the Olympics were of many different ages and so many of the younger men were taught in a school things like music and mathematics.

After finishing walking through Olympia, we were guided through the museum of Olympia. We were able to see tripods that were made to honor and worship the victors of the Olympic Games. There was a considerable amount of praise that was awarded the winners of the Olympics which is very similar to our culture today as well. After some free time in Olympia, the group travelled to a town called Tolo on the coastline. It was absolutely beautiful! One of the most fantastic views I have ever seen and was such a blast to explore and walk along the beach. Many of us went and played in the water nevertheless the freezing waters.

Today was a tremendously exciting day from seeing ancient Olympia to the gorgeous views of the Mediterranean Sea. It was so valuable to see the similarities between Olympia and our culture today. Sports truly do make such an impact on our lives and it is terrific to see the connections that are able to be made through athletics which is something that is consistent throughout many years of history. Praise God for the wonderful lessons and values one can learn from your astounding creation and the fascination that the astonishing Olympia brought to all of us today.

Libby Nicholson :)

[kpagrandtour]

Athenian Acropolis

Today is our third day of the Grand Tour and it has been so good so far. Today we woke up and started off our day with a very authentic Greek breakfast at the hotel. After this we headed to the bus and were on our way to the Acropolis! We arrived at the Acropolis and hiked up to see all the different temples that were built to worship the gods. These temples were absolutely beautiful! After we had some free time looking around at the temples and all the different things on top of the hill we headed to Mars Hill. Mars hill was the hill that Paul preached a sermon on talking about the people building these temples to worship other gods. Dr. DePoe read his sermon from Acts on this hill and it was so powerful to hear in the exact spot where it was preached! On top of the hill there was a group of people singing How Great is Our God in another language so that was also very cool to hear and experience! After this we walked to lunch I ate some pasta and got gelato! It was very good. Greek food is not my favorite but it is fun to try new things. After lunch we headed to the Acropolis museum. We walked through for awhile seeing all of the different statues and ruins from certain places. We got to the top floor which was as big as the parthenon itself so that was neat. When we left the museum we walked back to the hotel and had a little bit of down time where we walked around and shopped some more. We met up at the restaurant later and the food was very good! It was a dinner and dancing night so a few people came in and started dancing and they got my mom up to dance with them so that was very funny to watch. Eventually all the students went up to dance with them and it was very fun to experience part of the culture there! Today was so much fun! After dinner we walked back to the hotel and we all crashed.  -Kennedy Wooten 

[kpagrandtour]

Moments of Rest

Amongst the business and hustle and bustle of the grand tour, God has been pressing one specific thing on my heart: That is to be still and take advantage of the time he has given me to rest.

Walking several miles a day, seeing sights, and learning about other cultures so far have been incredible and once in a life time experiences, but so have the little priceless moments of rest and peace.

The ride to Greece on the ferry was an exceptional moment of rest for me. After spending several early mornings and late nights traveling, catching flights and bus rides, playing card games and talking with our friends, it became clear that we were all very exhausted. As I sat on the deck of the boat or looking out the window at the ocean, i saw the waves, the mountains in the distance, the setting sun. I was reminded of Psalm 46:10, where David writes, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Even before the grand tour began, this verse was everywhere I looked. It has reminded me, along with several conversations with my peers, parents, and teachers, that you can strive for excellence and still take time to rest and enjoy the simple beauties of God’s creation.

After taking some time to rest and recharge, I think we all feel more than ready for the adventures to come in Greece.

Kallie Lampe