Bible Land Tours (Mediterranean)(XI)

Neal Pollard

Especially since we lost the ability to visit Israel, I have been looking forward to visiting the country of Cyprus. Though it was a hurried trip, it did not disappoint me. Cyprus is mentioned so frequently in Scripture, Kittim (Chittim) and Elishah in the Old Testament (as well as Cyprus in the Major Prophets), then featuring prominently in the book of Acts–the first stop on the first Missionary Journey, the home of a disciple named Mnason, and an early stop on Paul’s ill-fated ship in Acts 27:4. It is also the native country of Barnabas, one of the unsung heroes of the New Testament. Our group was able to go to Paphos, where Paul and Barnabas converted Sergius Paulus.

There was so much more to see in the country, even more than we possibly had time to see in the course of just a few hours. What we dearly wanted to do did not work out, going to Fumagusta to meet the only known New Testament Christian in this country–Kith Nambale. He is a student in Eastern Mediterranean College who searched for the truth and was baptized by Rod Seaman earlier this year. Soon, Wayne Parker, a long time missionary is moving to Cyprus to work as a missionary. To me, it is always exciting where the gospel returns to places where it was in the early days of Christianity.

I have appreciated the daily habit we have developed of meeting on deck after dinner to sing and pray. It has drawn the attention of quite a few passengers. We also have sung on the bus each day as we have gone on our excursions. It is such a blessing when God’s people love to sing and take time to do so. It will be one of the treasured memories of this trip, a souvenir like no other! I have also appreciated how evangelistic John Moore is, taking every opportunity to teach and share the gospel with each guide, bus driver, and other non-Christian we have as a “captive audience.” He and Carla do such an incredible job in this ministry.

While I am sad that this was the last Bible land excursion, I am beyond thankful for each opportunity. It has enriched our faith and built our appreciation for especially the sacrificial service of the great apostle Paul! Like him, we are on a ship headed for Rome. We pray that our experience will mirror the ship he stepped onto in Acts 28 rather than the one in Acts 27!