February 27, 2006

• Shannon Sends Greetings from Turkey :

  
  

  Shannon asked me to tell everyone at LifePoint “Hello” and thank you for blessing her with cards and letters. She will respond personally also. I have included some pictures here of her visit to “Snake Castle” near Incerlik Airbase.

  
  

  Shannon sent us some great Turkish coffee and “apple” tea, as well a s a few neat knick-knacks. She calls often and shares what she is doing (work on an airbase is hardly a world of excitement). But, she is happy and excited about making a life of her own and serving our country in Turkey. Soon she hopes to take a tour of “The Seven Churches” of Revelation. This will be a treat for me as I study much Biblical history and musch happened in this country. Much of the Christian faith had deep roots in Turkish lands. It is surprising.

  
  

  Here is a little about “Snake Castle”:

  
  

  Yilankale, or better known as Snake Castle, has a mysterious atmosphere and an evil reputation for snakes and sorcery, no doubt derived from its setting above the muddy waters of the Ceyhan River and the craggy ridge upon which it stands. This castle is rather near the American Air Base in Adana and is usually one of the first to visit.

  
  

  A jewel of military architecture, Snake castle is compiled of a series of three wards on different levels and super defenses at the gates of each. The access to the lower wards is through an Armenian double arch complete with hales for rock and pitch. The gate to the upper ward is deep between two fine towers and makes two right turns, once again making it impossible to use mechanical siege equipment. The upper ward has a chapel with a fresco, subterranean cistern with steps into it, living quarters and a narrow postern gate between two towers. In fact, these seven horseshoe towers (straight sides with round fronts) are a remarkable achievement.

  
  

  Nothing is known of Snake castle’s history. Although not documented as such, it was probably a royal castle at the time of the Crusades. The similarity of its architecture to neighboring Sis and Tumlu Castles leads one to venture that it was built by Leo II as well. Its demise is equally mysterious. There is no evidence of its having been besieged. Castle mentality was a strange thing…often a seemingly impregnable fortress would capitulate early in a siege anticipating a lesser fate than that which might befall them if they held out.

  
  

   

  
  

   

  
  

  

  
  

   

  
  

   

  
  

   

  
  

  This is Shane and some her friends saying “Hi” to America from Turkey

  
  

   

  
  

   

  
  

   

  
  

   

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

   

  
  

   

  
  

  She also sent me some pictures of sheep grazing to use in my sermons and for my website…….I wonder why she she sent this one…….>>

  • 7:51 am
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