hiking

Nicknamed "the great wall of Malta" there is a wall or moat across the entire island. Built during the first world war, it was designed to keep possible intruders at bay.
Beautiful church in Mgarr (pronounced emjarr). We stopped in this city for a snack after our hike to the second highest point on Malta.
A watchtower overlooking the valley (don't worry, Mom, I didn't climb this one!)
Beautiful view of paradise bay. I wish you all were here! 

Lemon Picking and Answered Prayers

My good friend and precious brother in Christ, Jon, and I have been meeting together several times a week and seeking the Lord's face and contending for His glory to come to Malta. He is an answer to prayer in and of himself because before I came to Malta I was praying for a brother in the Lord who I could fellowship with and also one that would want to read through the book of Isaiah with. When we met a few weeks ago he suggested that we start reading that book!
Jon and I have found a field in the village where we stay, Lija, which is a good, quiet place to pray. In our walks to and from the field we always pray for a believer who lives in Lija that we could fellowship with apart from people at the University Residence.
Jon has found a great church for us to go to called Palm Springs. (the name partially comes from Psalm 92) At church this morning we found someone that lives in Lija and wants to have us over for coffee some time and go on prayer walks with us!
We've been going to this church for three weeks now and this Sunday one of the pastors, pastor Nick invited us over for lunch after the service. It was absolutely wonderful to have a home cooked meal and get to fellowship with this wonderful couple and their two children (ages 12 and 10). After lunch they brought us out to their "yard" which consists of a lemon tree, and they let us pick lemons to bring home! I believe this is a prophetic picture because at the University Residence there are probably about 20 lemon trees but there is a sign that says it is strictly forbidden for us to pick lemons there. What we can't get at the University Residence (though there are many) we can get through fellowshipping with believers across Malta (though there are few)!
Here are some pictures of our outing, and I pray this encourages you because we serve the Living God who hears and answers very SPECIFIC prayers! Amen and amen.




Mark, Carla, Linda, Pastor Nick, Geraldine and Jon 

The University

This is the Gateway Building, the entrance to the University of Malta.
A view from the back of the University. And I thought it was hard not to look out the windows in school in Chattanooga!
The breath-taking view of Valletta from the middle of campus.
One of the confusing walkways on the side of campus. 

St. Paul's Day Parade

The parade was held in the streets of Valletta.
Statue of St. Paul. He is carrying a sword because the apostles and disciples are usually depicted carrying the weapon by which they were martyred.
During the parade I was struck by the fact that the reason thousands of people were gathered was simply because one man was shipwrecked on their island. But what Paul did changed their history forever. How great is our God!
 

Marfa Ridge

This is an ancient "lighthouse" on the northern tip of Malta, Marfa Ridge.
Jon and I peering into the crystal-clear Mediterranean.

Random straw huts. 

more Mdina

The streets were narrow so even a few men could hold back entire armies. 

Mdina

This view is from the village of Mdina, an old military city. 

My new blog!

Hello all,
Thanks for bearing with me in switching blogs. I am using this in order to post more pictures for your viewing pleasure.