Continued from last blog....
OK so some of you have asked, "What was Jay's birthday surprise?" Let's just say is wasn't where the buffalo roam.
Jay and I had the privilege to follow the journey of the Apostle Paul. We started in Barcelona Spain and then sailed on to Malta. This is where Paul was ship wrecked and later became famous for healing the Governor of Malta (Act 27-28).
After leaving Malta we began our trip through Italy and headed to Pompeii; a village that was completely wiped out and then preserved by a volcano. What an oxymoron! In 79 AD the volcano, Mt. Vesuvius, erupted and completely cover the town of Pompeii. When archaeologists started uncovering the city years ago, the people and houses were mummified as if it happen yesterday. You could see the distress on the mummy's faces; there was no doubt that they knew their death was certain. Mosaics, pots, houses, streets and their amphitheatre still remained.
Rome was like unwrapping a new Christmas present; every time you went around a corner there was a jaw dropping moment. "How did they build this," you would think to yourself. I have to tell you that if you've ever studied the statue in Daniel, you will know why Rome is represented by iron. The coliseum is actually put together with huge iron staples. As Jay and I were in awe of the staples the man behind us said, "You know that Rome was known for it's iron, right." No, "I didn't know!" I also didn't know that the money to build the Coliseum came from the victory of the Judea war (the destroying of the Temple). Hum! About the time it was to be finished, Vesuvius erupts which was right up the road from Rome. Coincidence?
I could go on and on about God opening my eyes to His history but the truth of the matter is, He is still in control today and still leading His people if we will listen and obey. This was evident to Jay and I as we boarded a train in Italy. A man sitting in the train asked us, in his broken English, "Are you going to Pompeii? "Yes" Jay said. "Get off this train." He replied. We didn't have time to question him, we got off the train as the automatic doors were closing. Sure enough, we were on the wrong train. "What made this man ask us?" we wondered.
"Thank you God" was our response. Even in a foreign land and through broken English God still speaks to His people. Will you listen? Will you obey? Or will you roam in this New Year? Deuteronomy 28.
From our home to yours we pray for each of you to have a very Merry CHRISTmas and a Happy New Year.
Love,
June and Family
