The Cross-Cultural Experience Requirement

"This course will be a three-week cross-cultural immersion designed to take advantage of the specific geographical, social, economic, and demographic situation of the region studied."  That is what our Academic Handbook says about this "class" that we are required to take for Graduation.  We think simply living in Southwestern Pennsylvania should be enough, given all our time spent in the workforce and dealing with the infamous Pittsburgh Left.  But, alas, TSM disagrees.  On top of paying for Seminary, we thought this would be a ridiculously difficult burden to bear and one that we have spent much time contemplating how to get out of....

That is, until we saw there was a trip to Turkey....

This may not be sufficient reason to go...but then again....

Of course, seeing the Hagia Sophia will be a highlight

We will be visiting the Cappadocian caves where the monks used to
hang out and pray and read and make baskets (?)

 Hang out with some Brothers and Sisters in this beautiful city:

Gettin' to know some of the Turkish people and visiting their markets for the color and the smells!!!!

 Getting a lesson in architecture at the Hagia Eirene...

These are just a few of the feasts that have been prepared for us as we travel across the ocean for a couple of weeks.  We ask that you would be lifting us up and that we would have eyes to see, ears to hear those things that God has for us to learn and the encouragement we can bring to the Turkish people that we meet.
We will be the Journey of Nine Companions (yes! we are "The Fellowship") and we are all so excited to be on our way and to get to adventure together.  We will not be able to update the blog while in Turkey, but be prepared to behold some photos when we get back and hopefully a few words once we are over jet lag.

"Turkish delight on a moonlit night!"

If you wouldn't mind lifting us up this Wednesday when we leave, we'd really appreciate it!

O God, our heavenly Father, whose glory fills the whole

creation, and whose presence we find wherever we go: Preserve

those who travel in particular the Nine Companions; surround

them with your loving care; protect them from every danger;

and bring them in safety to their journey's end;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen