by David Melton
I’m looking at Greece differently. Koine — New Testament Greek, was my minor in college. To this day I love to work on difficult texts by studying the original language. It’s a link from my own student days to now. Boston study trips will, no doubt, serve the same purpose for our students.
These are not glorified vacations but learning on steroids! And it’s for head and heart. Greg is a freshman, new to the faith, and excited about the Lord. He made me laugh as we stood on the long uphill stretch of the Via Egnatia, the ancient Roman road that led into Philippi. I was catching my breath (I hoped he would think I was just being contemplative) when Greg said, “This is the way they came. Up this road. We are tracking the Gospel coming our way!” He was spot on. With eyes and feet, we were as close to Paul and Silas as possible.
For Thiago, Greece meant “Revelation.” On the isle of Patmos, I’m not sure Thiago left our little hotel much. He sat on a veranda, on a mission to read the entirety of The Revelation “on location” (as we say in study trip talk). The hotel owner even pulled me aside and asked if Thiago needed anything, he just seemed to read, talk out loud (I’m sure he was praying), and at one point he actually cheered and clapped! Our host didn’t understand why a young man would do that instead of explore the shops and food stands. I understood. Thiago was experiencing the unveiling of the King of Kings, not so differently than John did! Greg and Thiago and others got it right. This was Greece as ministry education. The Boston way.
I hope you will read Bill Smith’s play-by-play (page 30) of our recent study trip with Boston students to Greece. He is a pastor and professor who traveled with us and gives you the highlights.