Why TheWordTravels Is Here
The Galilean carried out His mission in the nearby towns and villages, and along the shores and on the Sea of Galilee, around the year AD33, possibly starting around noon, when He carried out His first act of kindness, which was the first “sign” He showed humans of who He really is and that He did not come from around here, and that He was sent with a message to show humans that we could live a way of life that leaned on the humane qualities in the very humanity that all humans possess.
The Way of life He showed us was “Being Human” to the best of our human abilities whilst turning away from the worst of we humans can do. He lived among us by “Being Human” Himself and while with us He actually showed us what it looks like to live everyday life: with love and kindness towards our nearest and dearest, as well as for the far away and the complete stranger; with honour towards ourself and what we stand for, and the same towards each other; with truth, and wisdom in the Word He was sent to deliver to humanity.
Facing the humanity in us and living by it whilst also turning away from the inhumanity in us and resisting giving in to it. One step at a time of doing our best and one step away from our worst
The work of TheWordTravels (TWT) began in and around this Christian church in the ancient city of Thessaloniki, Greece, on 20th April 2018, at around 12 noon. It started with us being turned away from the church by someone who did not know much about it who said to us not to take photographs; but then thankfully the caretaker George appeared and welcomed us and insisted we click away as much as we liked but also said it closes for lunch soon so do come back when the church reopens at 4pm.
George was our first encounter in Thessaloniki
Just outside we met Maria, of the church, who, I was about to find out, was demonstrating that same kindness as around Galilee, as she tried to help a stranded Canadian tourist start his car – even though Maria knew absolutely nothing about cars!! Once I walked over and offered a little help, and as I met Maria and got chatting, it became clear I had begun the time of the work of TheWordTravels, as Maria pointed us to where we should go next and what to do there. Maria was our pointer, a great kindness, in Thessaloniki. I was never to meet Maria again. Even though I tried when we returned to Thessaloniki in 2019 and again in 2022. But the work was started thanks to Maria sending us along the path we were meant to be on.
That day ended with us in the square of Aristotle where we met and were welcomed by lovely local Thessalonians including, cafe owners, tourist guides, random people who came to talk to us, as well as devout Christians who seemed drawn to us and talked about what had happened to us on this wonderful day in this old city known as Thessalonica 2000 years ago
