Macedonia Day Eight

Saturday, September 21

This morning our team woke up early and checked out of our apartments and headed into the van for a three hour ride to the country of Greece. We will finish the day exploring Thessaloniki and then heading to the airport early tomorrow for our flights back home. For all of us Texans, it takes forever just to get out of the state of Texas, it's crazy to think that in just three hours, you can be in another country. As you enter Thessaloniki, one of the first monuments you see is the White Tower. 

The weather was amazing and our team loved the time in the car fellowshipping with one another and with our missionaries. We enjoyed walking along the board walk and having lunch and getting to experience yummy greek food.

Of course, one of the favorite sites is the marketplace in Acts 17 where Paul and Silas were dragged before the city officials. We read Acts 17 together as a team and reflected. Then we walked to the famous Arch of Galerius constructed in 305 AD.

After our walking tour, we headed to our apartment and enjoyed some time walking along the beach and reflecting upon our time. We enjoyed some ice cream and had a team debrief. 

Here's our reflection as a team: Missionary work is hard. The Redell's work and labor every day in a place with very rocky soil. We were able to help them make some good connections this week. We also experienced life on the mission field in Macedonia. We will read their newsletters and pray for the people with new vision and perspective. Our team unified together from two different churches that support the Redell's. We've all come out of the trip with a new heart for the Lord, new friends and a burden heart to pray for the lost, for Macedonia and the seeds that have been planted this week. Missionary work is hard for their kids on the field. The Redell's shared what an encouragement we had been for them this week to continue to on even when the work is hard. As we leave this place tomorrow, we leave with a new purpose. This trip will not be about a check box but continued connections with those that the Lord has put within our circles back home in Texas. We hope that we can come back again, if the Lord wills in the future.
Bog da blagoslovi!