To see the video, click the picture or click here.

We woke up early to board our first legitimate European train to Pompei via Naples, and we were more than excited to get out of the city for the day. We got to the Roma Termini, boarded our train, and left the station on time without a hitch. We arrived at the Napoli Centrale (Naples Central Station) and got a ticket for the Circumvesuviana Metro train that would take us to Pompei. While in line to purchase this ticket, we met some well off Americans who asked us to join them for lunch. They were a couple of college students and parents enjoying the countryside of Italy. They were pretty cool, so much so that they even paid for our lunch. Speaking of, this was our favorite meal in Italy, Naples pizza. It tasted like Pizza should and we couldn’t get enough of it.

After lunch, we boarded the Metro to Pompei and while we stood in a very hot and bad odor(ed) train for 40 minutes. As we grabbed a fresh breath of air, we walked off the train and said goodbye to our American friends who were a lot of help. After that, Josh and I grabbed a drink as we waited for our tour guide.

As we made our way into the vulcanized city, we weren’t able to grasp how big this was. We felt like we could have spent an entire day there just looking through all of the ruins. This was our second favorite place on the tour, aside from the Colosseum. After our incredible tour we stuck around and got to see some other incredible views. There isn’t much to write because we were just completely blown away by how well preserved it was. I don’t remember the name of our tour guide, but she was very sweet and very informative.

Unfortantely, we were not able to do Vesuvius (Sad Face). We just didn’t have enough time because we ate with our American friends who set us back; but we got a free lunch out of it so we couldn’t complain. Here is where things start to go downhill. We got back to our train on time, however, the train was less than punctual itself. We boarded the train at 7:15, which is the time it was supposed to leave…Two hours later, and a train switch later, we left for Rome. Apparently, another train broke down on one of the major railways, causing the whole train system to be delayed. Needless to say, it was a mess.

I felt almost sick by the time we got back. I was exhausted, annoyed, and all I wanted was some food. McDonald’s was not a good choice, but it was one of the few places that was open late at night. We took it back, ate, watched a movie, and went to sleep.

Spiritual Implications: We learned a lot today about the Pompeian people. More than that, we saw what happened to them because they weren’t ready for what was going to happen. A part of me wondered how many “Christians” are going to die because they aren’t ready for what is to come. I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future,  I don’t know how it’s going to play out. What I do know is that Jesus is coming back eventually, and we need to be ready. But more than that, we have a job and a task to complete while we are here on earth. If we fail to do our jobs, many people and “Christians” are going to wind up like the Pompeians because we failed to provide them with the Good News of Jesus Christ who has redeemed us, freed us, and set us free to live a life devoted to the One True God, Yahweh, who is the creator of all things! (As Pastor Shane would say, “That’s some good preaching, pastor”)

Another thing, the train delay really tested my patience. Part of the problem was I wasn’t feeling well and add that on to be exhausted, really pushed me close to going overboard for the first time. I can’t say I remained calm the whole time, but I didn’t fly off the handle. If there is one thing I have learned, it’s patience!

Hopefully I will have the other journal’s from Saturday and Sunday up tomorrow, but can’t guarantee it with the whole “pay for internet” thing. Same goes for pics from Josh and vids from me. Hope y’all are doing well. Some things happened, and are happening here, so please pray for our group. Various things, but specifically that this time in Israel would be a spiritual revolution for us 🙂