Greece was lovely: different than I thought it would be -- but still lovely.

Most notably, my unmet expectations of Greece were in regard to the country's weather, which turned out to be mostly cool and overcast during our time there (while Holland was enjoying clear blue skies and significantly warmer temperatures!). But even so, I can't really complain.

We especially enjoyed the opportunity to connect with old, dear friends who are working across Europe with Great Commission Ministries. They're all such warm, wise, welcoming people -- and I almost always come away from my times with them feeling refreshed and encouraged (regardless of the setting or the circumstances). And it was also great to have the opportunity to see this part of the world that is so deeply steeped in history -- and particularly biblical history... Names like Thessaloniki and Macedonia on street signs, not just in the pages of my history books.

Like I said, the time in Greece was lovely. The conference center where we stayed was right on the coast of the Aegean Sea.

And one of the particular highlights for me, personally, was getting to see the ruins of ancient Philippi -- the place that witnessed Europe's first conversions to Christianity, Europe's first baptisms, and Europe's first church plant (see Acts 16).

I was surprised by how accessible the ruins of ancient Philippi actually were. We could walk quite freely among them (and around them and over them). We saw the place that has been traditionally observed as the prison in which Paul was held. We saw the place where the early church met. And we saw the place were Lydia may have been baptized in the river outside the city walls.

We are very grateful that we had the opportunity for such an experience.

Now, of course, we're back in Amsterdam -- just in time to celebrate Easter. In some ways it's hard coming back from such an experience... But in other ways, it's wonderful to get back to the stories that are being written in Europe right now, as we speak -- witnessing the baptisms of three Europeans... worshipping again with our own church family, right in the heart of Old Amsterdam... and waiting to see what God will do in the years to come.