Just before we disembark our bus each evening there is a moment to debrief the day and prepare for the next day. One night a teaser was added that went something like this, “tomorrow we will make a special surprise stop.” Curiosity and interest immediately soared and so did the ever so discreet sleuthing. Figuring I might be easy prey, I was asked what I knew. Of course (thankfully), I didn’t know, and I suggested that even if I did, I probably couldn’t say what the “surprise stop” included. I mentioned, “we’ll all know what this ‘surprise’ is soon enough.” “But I’ve got to know—now!,” came the reply. We each have moments when we say we want to know what the next “surprise stop” is, especially when it comes to the big issues in life. Would we really want to know what was going to happen next? The sites we visited after our “surprise stop” that day was a lesson for me in the ways people toil to know what is in their future—and right now!

Miletus was a quaint coastal city and practically indefensible. Throughout history, every super-power conquered and controlled the citizens of Miletus. Today the Meander River has silted the harbor, pushing the ancient city center a couple of miles from the coast. From the Bible, we best remember Miletus as the place where Paul met the elders from the church of Ephesus on his way to Jerusalem for Pentecost. Paul was certain (“bound in the Spirit”) he should return to Jerusalem but he didn’t know what would happen there (Acts 20:22). That’s perplexing. Why did he remark that he didn’t know what would follow? Did he suspect something? Based on his own intuition, it appears Paul made the wrong choice. Although Paul knew what his “surprise stop” included and was even counseled by others three times against going, he went to Jerusalem anyway, and was imprisoned. Does how Paul apparently made his decision surprise you?

While on our way to Didyma the explanation about Alexander the Great defeating the Persians at Miletus was quickly forgotten. He was one more in a long succession of Miletus-conquerors. To honor Apollo for granting victory, Alexander restored and enlarged the temple at Didyma in order to revive the practice of the secret society which sought guidance for decisions from an oracle. An oracle aims to tell the future by observing natural events but gives credit to the power of the mythical deities. The procedure for discovering an oracle said is hilarious. Breathing fumes escaping from deep crevices within the earth intoxicates a temple virgin. In this hallucinated condition the virgin speaks erratic nonsense when asked a question by the priest. The priest then relays the always-ambiguous answer to the one who wants to know. There is a legend that Alexander the Great learned through the use of the oracle at Didyma that he would defeat the Persians. What remains today at this temple are a few of the gigantic columns and several column bases. In diameter, these columns are much larger than those we would see at the Parthenon in Athens or the Temple of Apollo in Corinth. The Didyma columns have silently stood many centuries as a witness to the innumerable means and foolish ways people seek to know about their next “surprise stop.”

Near sunset we were exploring a city also not mentioned in the Bible. Priene (pronounced like “pre-” “in” and a long “A”) is a city built on successive terraced slopes of a hill on Mt. Mykale. From the Temple of Athena, which is near the top of the hill, we enjoyed excellent views of Miletus and Didyma. Among the many ruins of Priene is a well-preserved bouleuterion. A bouleuterion is the council chamber where the men of the city would meet to discuss and act on the business and issues of their day, much like a local city council does today. The citizens of qualified cities were given authority by Rome to govern themselves. Only when local disputes appeared to threaten peace in the Empire would Rome step in and take over, often reducing the freedoms they once enjoyed. We are probably most comfortable with this style of “surprise discovery”—by consensus. But we are not unfamiliar with the use of the many other kinds of conjuring schemes in use even today. Nor are we above relying on our intuition or counting on chance for knowing what “we will know soon enough.”

By the way, that “special surprise stop” was another of our latest pop-culture fads that have all the marks of a religion. Thousand enter through their doors daily, lured by the promise of self-indulgent satisfaction. But no one ever seems to achieve this desirable status. Nor do the regulars care because they return for more daily. Their services include an open forum where the “fair” exchange of ideas, philosophies, and world views is encouraged. Without feeling guilty, the zealous happily donate far more than they normally would anywhere else. Nearly cult-like, they have a sacred sounding name that is even appropriate in this the “other Holy Land.” I didn’t need chance, conjuring, or consensus to decide that I would believe in them as soon as they begin dispensing answers to questions about the unknown while breathing noxious fumes! What was our “special surprise stop”? St. Arbucks, of course—look for one on a corner near you!

I had to exchange writing this past week for working on video and photo segments because the Talbot Bible Lands group is getting together Saturday evening for a “reunion.” Ultimately what I created will be included as part of their DVD.

My original intention was to very briefly tell about our trip. By brief, I mean limited to one page. I wanted to give an overall picture but just couldn’t cut out enough. So I had another brilliant idea to cover one week. Four pages, that’s not so bad (nor very long). Somewhere along the way, I slowed to what seems like a snail’s pace.

Meanwhile, there is other news in and around the church!

Pastor Rigsby has returned to his teaching schedule at Talbot. Pastor Tony Núñez is also teaching at Biola and continues work on his doctorate. Pastor Yoon returned from Korea a week ago where he led a Bible conference. He left for Korea the same day we returned from Rome.

“Growing pains” in the Spanish and Korean congregations continually challenge us in the use and scheduling of the church house. Saturday sometimes rivals Sunday’s use. Each weeknight has one or more group meetings.

The Spanish congregation had a desire to update the sound system we each use. Soon a new mixer and amplifier will be in place. Eventually the speakers will also be added. The last sound system was actually the church’s first complete system. I thought it interesting to note that it was first used in 1975—that’s 32 years. I don’t know what the cost was then but I think we must have squeezed every penny out of it!

The Korean congregation is anxious to replace 3 of the worst exterior doors in the building. Some of you may chuckle because you may remember, “we replaced those same doors just 25 years ago.”

For some reason Maria Garcia insists that we need a new vacuum! It’s not like she doesn’t have a variety to choose from. There’s a red one, a yellow one, a grey one, a black one, and a brown one. The brown one is that old Kirby which has been around here longer than me. Maria did have a purple one, too. When she used it in my office last week, the vacuum sparked, smoked, and emitted a lingering burned rubber odor. It was a nice show and all, but I suggested she retire the purple one right away. After we pay our property taxes next month, we’ll see about getting a new vacuum. I do think Maria is running out of colors, though.

Last Sunday morning we were greeted at the church house by 11 year-old Anthony Hurtado. He was there early because his grandmother was helping prepare the light meal the Spanish congregation would be enjoying after their worship service and before Sunday School classes. Reaching into the trunk of the car Anthony pulled out this huge football trophy. Anthony’s smile said everything and he wanted to share it with us. He played last season in the Bell Gardens Lancers community football program and was named the 2006 “MVP” on his team! As Anthony expressed his joy, I quickly cleared a spot on my desk, set the trophy on it and remarked, “this will look great right here, don’t you think?” I was teasing but Anthony wasn’t completely sure until he had his trophy firmly in his grasp.

I was going to say, “break’s over” but I’m off to look at some used office furniture (maybe that is a story for another time)!