Thirty four participants from the United States, Canada and Zimbabwe converged on Bodrum, on the shore of the Aegean Sea near Izmir, ancient Smyrna, to begin the Adventist Review Revelation Cruise 2013.  This special trip was organized by the staff of Adventist Review for its subscribers and sponsors to exchange thoughts with Bill Knott and Claude Richli around the theme of “Old Ports, New Destinations”, walking and sailing in the footsteps of Paul and the apostles.

Two beautiful yachts were chartered for the occasion to take us from the Turkish coast to the Greek islands of Kos, Leros and Patmos, then back to Turkey to visit the ancient cities of Miletus, Didyma, and Ephesus.

After a beautiful Sabbath spent in a vacation resort near Bodrum, the participants were transferred to the Bahriyeli, a Turkish gület (typical Turkish yacht with two or three masts), and the Caferoglu (pronounced Jaferoloo), where they closed the Sabbath with a presentation by Bill Knott, and sundown vespers by Sylvain Romain, former president of the Turkish field and later of the Albanian Mission, and a specialist on Middle Eastern culture, the Bible and the Koran.

Don Fahrbach, one of the participants, says that he has been earnestly looking forward to this trip. Now that he is here, he is amazed “by this rich feast of impressions, and this unique combination of spiritual messages, cultural enrichment, and fellowship in such a romantic environment.”

The ships, made of teak wood, have only about 10 to 12 cabins each, creating a very special environment on board, where love and friendship can thrive. Even after just one day, participants seem to be blending together into a great family of brothers and sisters.