So at the foot of the Athenian Acropolis, they had this water fountain and still I don't have any clue about it. Was it used to provide water to those arriving in the city, was it for the people to refresh before going to worship their gods? As we walked up hill to the great ruins Annette and I were amazed how these structures have survive wars and time. These temples were erected in 450 B.C. Today they tell the story of an ancient civilization that change the life of millions of people during history as much as it influences your life and mine.

 To us visiting these ruins was like taking a virtual tour of some Bible passages. Seeing and feeling that the word of God is much alive than we can understand. We walked in Paul's shoes sort to speak, not carrying his burden but standing in place where he might have been made us focus on his dedication and his condition as man. From the Acropolis one can see and visualize the distances that Paul might have walked. In the Bible we read he went from one place to the other, but I do not believe that we think all the distances that he actually walked. In those times there were no hiking shoes or any comfort, the selection was wear shoes or not to wear.

The Apostels perished, the civilizations pass away and their customs and their

greatness is also gone. Greece is one of the poorest countries in Europe, their Empire is in ruins. All that is left from their goddess Athena Nike is a sport wear  brand. The government of Greece is trying really hard to restore the ruins, much money is spent in research and hundreds of architects work to put all the pieces together to revive the Hellenic civilization. they have spent close to a century and still they have not improve much.

God's word is precious and is still alive today, not in ruins but clear and vivid; the promises are active and prayers are heard and answered for those who believe. Our God is real. Looking at the ruins I remembered Matthew 24:35 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away". - Jesus lives!

The marketplace - Ancient Agora, Greece

Ancient Agoras, up in the hill is the Parthenon

During our visit in Athens we were amazed by the city and we tried to imagine what it was like in the days of Paul. So we looked up scripture and we explored ancient Greece!One of our trips was the Acropolis but Paul did not go directly to the high priest of the days, he went to the marketplace or what is known as Thessaloniki, the Ancient Agora.On the hill of this picture you can see the Athenian Acropolis. The building on top is the Parthenon, the temple was build to honor of their goddess Athena and was a multitasking goddess today we call that kind of woman a working woman. Athena was the goddess of war, civilization, wisdom, strength, strategy, crafts, justice and skill in Greek mythology. A huge statue was build on the hill so that the people could see her from anywhere in the city.

the ancient marketplace Agora

Scripture

Acts 17:16-18

replica of the Ancient Agora

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. ¹⁷ So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. ¹⁸ A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.

idol

History

The Agora was the heart of ancient Athens, the focus of political, commercial, administrative and social activity, the religious and cultural center, and the seat of justice. The site was occupied without interruption in all periods of the city's history. It was used as a residential and burial area as early as the Late Neolithic period (3000 B.C.). Early in the 6th century, in the time of Solon, the Agora became a public area. After a series of repairs and remodeling, it reached its final rectangular form in the 2nd century B.C. Extensive building activity occurred after the serious damage made by the Persians in 480/79 B.C., by the Romans in 89 B.C. and by the Herulae in A.D. 267 while, after the Slavic invasion in A.D. 580, It was gradually abandoned. From the Byzantine period until after 1834, when Athens became the capital of the independent Greek state, the Agora was again developed as a residential area.

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Run the Good Race

 

Thanks to a very kind Greek reporter/photographer Nickolas Stivris who took our picture.

We have many stories to tell you, and more videos to up load for now this picture will have to speak for us. We ran the Good Race in Athens during the 28th Classic Marathon of 2010. We are most grateful to all of our small group members, Francisco, Andre, Christine, Jaime and Jennie. For our pastors, David & Milly Lema, Pastor Alex & Erin Diaz, to our families and Friends, Yin, my dear professors who hold me in prayers Prof. Mira, Prof. Wright and Prof. Medina, co-workers and all we met along this journey to Athens. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT.

The day of the race

On our way to the race 

The runners were everywhere around the city and from all over the world. At the airport, while I waited for Annette, I saw many of the runners come in from Brazil, Uruguay, Panama, Canada, Germany, London, Boston and more. People were wearing special t-shirts and family members where there too to support. They had Greek music playing and there was excitement everywhere in the area. Annette and I interviewed a few people before the race and that was super awesome. Check them out.

The 5k and the 10k race was at 9:30, the Marathon was to start at 9:00 a.m. at the city of Marathon. So around 8:55 a.m. Annette and I parted ways, she had to go to the 5k corral and I had to head up for the 10K corral. There we both met other people from different countries and we have many stories to talk about them for days to come! At 9:00 a.m. they announced that the marathon runners just started to leave the start line and there where balloons going up in the air, the people were so excited and roaring and clapping. It was amazing how a race can provoke people to unite in such way, they were cheering as if they were right there in Marathon at the start line, it was overwhelming. Then it was our turn to start the our race! Confetti was thrown in the air and more balloons were going in the sky here we go, good running Annette! Francisco, I wish you were here to see us run, thank you for your support and prayers, you are a true friend.

On Saturday after we both were enrolled in the proper race we walked to the Panathenaic Stadium. The stadium was built in 4^th century BC for the mystical ceremonies held for the Panathenaic Festival in honour of Athena, patron-goddess of the city of Athens. 

Then the Roman Hadrian had also constructed a Stadium where gladiatorial contests and shows were put for the Athenian public. In time this one disappeared as well and an exact replica was completely restored in 1896 ir order to host the first Modern Olympiad. In 2004 again it was used to host the Olympic Games, the archery event as well ad for the culmination of the Marathon run. It is impressive. Hopefully I can download the video before my internet time is over.

Annette changing Hellenic history

I met Annette two years ago, she has been always very eager of learning more about God and about his promises and commandments. The last two years I have seen her grow spiritually, she has blossomed like the most precious flower for Christ. She understood the meaning of baptism and took the plunge, she understood the meaning of servanthood and she took leadership roll in the children’s ministry at our church, she has understood the reason of discipleship and she attends a small group where she serves and supports her leader and she has a great personality that values friendship. Her friendship and love for her friend has driven her to come all the way to Athens to be here for me. After I have struggled with the running of my first marathon, I realized that it is not my race but hers. She has been running the Good Race for two years now and this is her first finish line, she is a disciple ready to be a leader and have her own disciples. What a better place than Athens to show her the world that Paul had to face and still present the Gospel with courage and commitment. So I rejoice for us being here in the midst of this celebration. She got so carried away from the energy among the runners that she too wanted to run, something that you don’t get her easily to do. But she arranged her own 5k Bib, which were impossible to get at this point in time. There was some person that enrolled for the 5k and last minute could buy the marathon Bib(number) from somebody else and gave his number to Annette. I am so proud of my friend and I cherish her friendship, I am truly blessed. Thank you Lord for Annette!

picking up my marathon package, bitter sweet moment

 On Friday afternoon we traveled Athens by Metro, from Larissa station to Syntagma and walked towards the Zapion Exhibition & Congress Hall where the Marathon Expo was taking place. When we got there it was so overwhelming to see all the runners, all the excitement of such event. It was particular difficult for me because I was not going to run the Marathon. I felt like I failed, I felt shame and I felt defeated. I was training well and I was eating and resting properly and I could not believe that I hurt my ankle and I was not able to complete the training. This reminds me of Galatians 5:7-10
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? ⁸ That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. ⁹ “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” ¹⁰ I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty.

I have been meditating on the word of God and trying to really give it a thought of what it means to run the good race. All during the visit here in Greece I met with several runners and most of them are also had an injury and they were going to run the marathon anyway. Many of them told me that I should do the same and run even when I have not completed the training. At one point I got excited and I asked myself why not, I was convinced that not running would mean being a looser or a chicken for not trying. So I was excited because I thought I would run it and I would still get my marathon medal. 

Knocking at Church of Panaghia Kapnikarea

Last Thursday I had to submit an assignment for my class, Introduction to Ministry, I needed to submit a book review. It was about “Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome”  by Kent and Barbara Hughes. The book is all about the call for ministry and how people measure success and define if a ministry is successful or a failure. The authors then summarize that God did not called us to be successful but to be among other things faithful, 1 Cor 4:1-2 "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful". So I thought of what I read and what I was trying to do and it felt that I was not doing the right thing. It felt that I wanted my ego to be fixed and feel proud about still trying something that seemed both silly and foolish to do. Running a Marathon without the proper training. 

I had to believe that I will get the chance to run my first Marathon with all the excitement and sense of victory that come with it. Funny enough this is like waiting for the groom and abstaining from having sex before marriage. Don’t laugh that is how this is. I felt like if I was going to be around the marathon and run just the last four miles just to have the medal, I would be cheating and I would have no value for the medal. I felt if I did not run it would be like going to my wedding without getting married and finally if I ran/walked the marathon it would feel like having a sexual relation and going to get married afterwards, why? Well, how can you taste the marathon and have a great expectation of the second time around if the first marathon was not exciting and had not the component of fulfillment and accomplishment?So Saturday I went back to the expo and asked them if I could downgrade the Marathon to a 10 K and the answer was positive. I had peace and I was excited once again, I don’t have to prove anything to anyone and my ego was sentence back into his cage hopefully for a long time!

Thursday night, 3 days away from the Athens Classic Marathon 2010

The jet lag kicked in but we got hungry and we needed to find a place to eat. Everyone told us to have dinner at Plaka and we went into the city to explore it and reach the Greek Taverna for food. Like in every city, people do not know how to give directions, their directions are given with meters and measuring the distance in minutes. “ You walk direct for 3 minutes about 200 meters and then turn left”. 

We found a desolated square with nice restaurants and I wondered where are all the other runners or the people? We had a nice dinner and we got to see our first ancient ruin, on the left is the Library of Hadrian. Athens is beautiful by night and all the monuments are lighted up very well, it brings a magical touch to the city. On the right is the Parliament building at Syntagma Square.

Make a story with these pictures!

We have been in Greece for almost a week. And so much has happened.  Annette arrived last Thursday October 28th at 5:15 P.M. I spent a day by myself and it felt a bit intimidating being in a place where I do not understand the language. It has been a while since I last traveled to a foreign country and my sense of orientation is a bit rusty. Nevertheless I found my way back to the airport using public transportation to pick Annette up.  

By accident I thought Annette would be arriving at 2:45 p.m. so I had some time to spent at the airport. I discovered that they have a museum there too and I visited it. In the upper picture is what they believe Athens looked like centuries ago. And here on the right is a pictures of weights and the half round object is the lid of a bee hive and underneath there is a lamp, it looks like a candle holder but was not meant to have a candle but oil.

Finally Annette's plane was arriving, so I went down to wait for her. Before I knew I was surrounded by paparazzi, I figured that someone important was about to arrive. So I asked whom they were waiting for and they told me that Maria was about to come out. I have no idea who Maria was, she is a famous runner but I had no clue. They told me her last name but it was Greek so didn’t catch it. Annette came out and I was so relieved to see a face I knew.  Maria Menounos also came out and we understood that she is a famous NBC personality that occasionally runs marathons, she is Greek and a national super star. Many people came to the airport just to welcome her.

I also welcomed the delegation of Brazil as you see they were all wearing yellow and the delegation from Uruguay was also very festive with their colorful wigs. I saw people from all over the world, I got to talk to some of them too. The Marathon registration booth was right in the same arrival area. You can say that I welcomed everyone by name and shook their hands. Not literally but it felt like it.

I was there to welcome my friend Annette and I was so happy to see her face and knowing that she made it all the way to Athens. Welcome Annette, I pray we will have a great time in Athens, I am so happy to see you here!

The Spirit of the Marathon

The journey to Athens

Comment ca va?
I got on time to Paris but my flight to Athens way delayed due to the air traffic control strike. For some days now I have seen on television the people expressing their anger and discontent with the government but this morning I got to see them at the airport, marching and making lots of noise. When the plane landed at the airport I saw a Concorde fuselage displayed in the middle of the landing strips. 
The Charles de Gaulle airport is so big and high-tech and the people that work at the airport are very friendly, including their security personnel.  The temperature was 10 degrees C.

When my flight took off to Athens I could clearly see the fields and the beautiful combination of the autumn colors. Then I took a nap almost involuntarily as I was very tired.
When I woke up again I was amazed by the view of the mountains and then it changed to the Greek island scenery. When the plane landed in Greece it started raining and the temperature was 26 degrees C.

During the connection time in Paris I met a few couples from LA that were also traveling to Greece for the marathon, some of them have injuries in their knees and they are going to run anyway. They think I should just run, I told them I think they should not run...Then I met a lady from Brasil, she is here for the same reason and she was telling me of her plans for next year, she is going to South Africa! She also has an injured knee-cap. I took the local bus to travel to the city, it only costs 3.20 euros, the taxi was about 35euros. The Metro would have been a better option but they are on strike! Once in the city I shared a taxi with the Brazilian lady and got to my hotel, the taxi driver charged us too much money(20e) but he looked descent and gave us a tour as he was driving, so he earned it. So I learned that tomorrow is the biggest national day for the Greeks Ohi (means No) Day that commemorates the Battle of Greece during the second WWII. Read more here
Now is time to take a shower, get something to eat and work on my Greek!

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A taste of the Classical Marathon Athens, Greece, 2010

Run the Good Race 2010

Have you ever been to a race? It is amazing, if you have been part of a race you know what it feels like to be waiting behind the Start line. You are pumped that you are going to run and you have a time set in your mind of how long you plan on doing your run. if you have never been to one just look at the picture here and look how many people are just waiting to start the race.

Everyone has a story on why they are there, some run for fun, others are in a running group supporting a cause, others just want to accomplish a personal goal or just keeping themselves in shape. I run too, and I run because I believe that a race is very similar to our journey in life. But I am talking about the journey of our faith. In the months ahead I will prepare for my 1st Marathon. I have run two Half Marathons and now I am striving to do my first Marathon.

The Bible also compares a race with our lives, look what it mentions in 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
²⁴Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

This verse right here motivated me during my last 3 miles during my Half Marathons, usually at these last miles the body is very tired and feels like giving up. It feels the same when we have a relationship that is going nowhere, a job that will not give us a prosperous future, perhaps a tough sickness; you name it. There are times in life where we just want to quit. I have Christ in my life, so I have hope and faith to persevere and keep going as to get the prize.

The finish line is never as crowded as the starting line, at this point many lost the dream of winning, some give up and don't bother to reach the finish line and others are disqualified. If you were to compare your life today with a race, what kind of runner are you? Will you make it to the finish line? Tell me, what is your story?

Stretching

Before we run or after we run, we have to stretch our muscles a bit. Not doing so will more likely cause unnecessary injuries.

Now, if you have ever stretched your muscles you know it is painful at times, the more muscle you build, the painful the stretching is.

I have experienced that in our spiritual life this is kind of the same, the stronger we grow in Christ the painful the stretching becomes. I believe that when we are spiritually stretched, we become more flexible and will keep our heart fit to continue running the good race. But I guess this is the part we do not like at all and I have not found a way around it. We build stronger muscles and the stretching is painful. So, we grow stronger in our faith and the stretching(trials) becomes painful too, no way around it. To avoid the painful stretching we stop running; we stop growing. When we stop growing, the muscles become mushy; we quit running all together and we are no longer in the race. We lose discipline and focus. But, you are not a quitter, I know that, good for you, keep running!

Peter must have experienced this too, at least that is what I get when I read this verse:

If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. (1 Peter 4:12)

What do you think?

On my way to Athens Classic Marathon 2010

Today it all began, I am getting ready for this journey towards my first marathon, the Athens classic Marathon. What is this marathon all about? Well this is what the editorial of the marathon has to comment:  
"The Athens Classic Marathon is not just a sporting event, a hard race, a tough course of 42,195m. More than that, the Athens Classic Marathon is a bridge that unifies the legend with history; it showcases the strength of human will; it is a fountain of values, of social liability, environmental sensitivity, friendship and solidarity.
In 2010, we will celebrate in Athens the 2,500 years' anniversary from the Marathon Battle in a glorious event that will mark the future of the international Marathon movement."

This is my first marathon and I will follow the Hal Higdon's Marathon Novice training. Today I ran the first 3 miles of the 15 miles that I have to run this week. As I made the first step I felt the rush of knowing that I am running for a purpose again. Somehow I know that it will be tough and perhaps painful but I won't stop until I have achieved the discipline and developed the perseverance to accomplish this goal. It will be very hard, it is an up hill course and a very tough one perhaps even for well experienced runners. 

Of course it crosses my mind that perhaps I won't b able to finish but I cannot allow those thought to penetrate my mind or else there is no purpose in attempting to be part of the race. After all my strength and my courage don't come out of my own but through the one who is greater than I, my Lord. Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

The purpose; to inspire all around me with my faith and to share my passion by running the good race, modeling how to run and how to cheer the runners. Everyone can run if they search for the needed discipline and develop the perseverance then anyone can do anything they set their mind to.

For now I need to eat well, rest well and drink a lot but most of all I need to enjoy the journey towards the day of the race. I hope you can join me in this beautiful chapter about my first marathon, it won't be exciting if you are not part of it. My joy can only be complete if my friends are with me in this great adventure.

Lets Run the Good Race together!

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Phillipians 4:13

Praise God for the gift of Life, praise God for friendships, praise God for opportunities to meet new people and share our passion together.
 This group has been meeting for 8 weeks and it has been a blessing to share life and Christ through running. Every week I look forward to meet with the group members and to run as a group. We all agree that we would prefer to sleep-in longer but once we are up we are pumped and ready to go.

What do we talk about?
Well, we do pray before we go running, we talk about coffee, morning person, not a morning person, we complaint a bit, we laugh a lot, we talk about food, about the small group leader, we share Bible verses, we talk about the picture we take at Pier 7 that is our opportunity to talk to a stranger and ask him/her to take our picture and we talk about the breakfast we have after the run.

What do we learn?
 We meet new people from different backgrounds, different states, different countries. We share our culture, we share our faith, we share our struggles, we share our joy, we share our sorrow. We learn to compare life with a running race. We encourage and challenge each other to grow our relationship with God.

Where do we run?
We run and walk through the historic Coconut Grove. Sometimes we will run in other areas when the opportunity present it's self. We did the Miami Aids Walk a few weeks ago, it was Derek's & Min's idea, they do this walk every year. So as a group we joined them to walk for a cause.

Who runs?
We all run because we wish to improve our physical condition, but we all want to find out how can we combine running and growing spiritually. We build relationships and friendships while we run, we are no professional runners but we are committed to train our discipline, perseverance, endurance and open our hearts to teach and learn from each other.

           The first time we met to Run the Good Race, we were just 3, Jeannie who sign up as the first member, Francisco, who signed up second and of course me. Every weekend we go out with expectation seeing the presence of God in our hearts, tuning our minds with our soul, enjoying nature around us and the spectacular views that reminds us that God thought of every detail to make our life and days colorful and joyful. Each week we come back together

My passion about running is relatively new. It was my friend Francisco who shared his two passions in life with me; running and his love for Christ. He taught me how to combine the two and shared his perspective about the similarity of life and running a race. With scripture he taught me how to be disciplined, increase my perseverance and how to stay focus but more important: to enjoy the running, to enjoy life through trials. I discovered joy through sacrifice, both spiritual and physical. I ran 2 half Marathons and several 5K. Now it is my turn to pass on to others that same passion. I thank God for Francisco's dedication and willingness to share his passion of running with me and with the group. What he started one day as an individual has now touched and opened opportunities to encourage others.

Thanks to Christ for sending the Holy Spirit to dwell among us. Thanks to our Lord for his living word that guides us to Run the Good Race : "Run in such a way as to get the prize". 1 Corinthians 9:24.

What is your passion? and how does it impact others?