I suppose that since the Acts students left almost 6 weeks ago, I should update the blog with more current photos. Except that there aren't any to post! Which would lead one to believe:
1. We were so overwhelmingly exhausted from the ACTS program we stayed in bed for a whole month
2. We have lived such a boring life for the last 6 weeks
3. We are more busy than ever being a part of our culture that we don't have time to post anything!

Actually, it's a mix between 1 and 3. We have enjoyed a relaxing and busy month at the same time. We were able to slow down a bit but are also preparing for a really busy August. We have already spent some quality time with our friends this week. Monday, we went bowling with our friends from the English club. (Since I have already posted bowling photos-I didn't want to be redundant). We also had a young couple over for dinner that we have been wanting to get to know better. Hopefully, after the end of Ramadan, we will be able to get together again.
We will also be taking my tutor and her family to a beach on the northern shore for a day trip. They don't get to go out of town or on vacation because he is still out of a job, so this will be a real treat for them.
At the end of this month we will be joining other individuals in our region at a mountain retreat outside of our city for a conference and R & R. Maybe by the time Sept. rolls around I'll have more than enough to post on this blog for all our bloggin' fans (all 3 of you! )
Until then- if it's photos you want-you will just have to be satisfied with revisiting all the older posts. Enjoy!

On the weekend prior to the students departure we took a boat trip to the sea. The American students had asked several of the local university students to join them as their last time to hang out together. It was great fun but the water was SOOOO cold!
Yes, I did jump in but there are NO photos on this blog of that event
(and hopefully no one else's).

Brian and the guys

Playing the "gossip" game posed a little challenge in 2 languages but they got it right at the end every time!

By the end of the trip we were all exhausted but some were still shining like the sun!

Last outing at the beach-saying goodbyes never gets any easier!

On the student's last Sunday with us, we went to the beach for our worship time. It was certainly one of the most beautiful place of worship I have ever attended on a Sunday! We did have a time with praise in music and a message from the Word. Afterwards, we ate like any normal fellowship does.

A few of the students (even the girls) wanted to climb the cliffs to dive into the sea. They did it! I decided that flip flops are not the proper gear for rock climbing!

Best Sunday school activity ever-burying kids in the sand! Everybody had a great time!

The past five weeks we have been involved with the student summer exchange program for our city. Our first weekend event was a trip to Ephesus. These guys were great and it's hard to believe this photo was taken the first week they arrived. Now that they have returned home to the states, I have some time to update the blog with some of the activities we did while they were here. It was such a blessing to work with young people that have a heart for the nations. They were a great encouragement to us and we will really miss them!

Scenes from Ephesus. Pictures can not convey these images well nor can they express the significance of this Biblical city. Neither can I. We would recommend that you find out for yourself by planning a visit soon. It's worth every penny!

I think this is a memorial to one of the city's leaders but I can't remember. There was so much to take note of (without the aid of pen and paper) and so many interesting facts.

The famous goddess Nike-can you find the "swoop"? I wonder if the sculptors from Ephesus ever thought this fresco would inspire a million dollar empire....

Some random tourist on the marble "main street" of Ephesus. The entire street was lined with columns and statues. It even had street lights! This is one of the few cities that lit up the streets for evening pedestrians.

Marble is everywhere here. The streets are even paved with it!

Marvelous Mosaics! They had an eye for detail! These floors must have taken a lot of time because the tiles are all laid individually. This"corridor" was about 80 feet long (maybe longer) and 8-10 feet wide. Make sure you click each photo to get a closer look!

Can you tell what this is? Hint: you have to use it everyday!

Where the local residents gathered to gossip and .....well.......
Can you imagine your neighbor sitting next to you doing this activity? !!!

In case you haven't figured it out-these are 2,000(+) year old toilets! No wall dividers in this public restroom! There was also a bath connected to this facility. I guess you got to know your neighbors pretty well back in those days.

Clearly, this is the most recognizable image from Ephesus. This is the famous library. The outside is far more impressive than what lies behind these magnificent columns and statues. The facade has carefully been repositioned into the structure that is seen today. The actual "interior" of the library is so unimpressive, I didn't take any photos.

This is the area of the market where the merchants of the city sold their goods. It is said that Paul most likely made and sold tents in this market.

The road to the Theater in Ephesus. Thousands of years after the message of Christ was spoken here, there is little to remind visitors of Paul's words.

We found this little stone on the shores of this country. Thought it was really cool considering we had recently watched Louie Giglio's talk on Laminin. If you haven't seen it you can watch it on GodTube. The image of the cross is here!

This is Kayakoy. Once a busy village, now deserted and decaying. After viewing the images, you will be able to read our impression and some of the details concerning this town.

Kayakoy church- interior and courtyard with pebble mosaics.