Early rise this morning for the highlight of sunrise hot air ballooning over the ancient and amazing landscape of Göreme. Seeing the so-called fairy castle chimneys hewn by volcanic activity, rain, rivers and wind over thousands of years was simply awe-inspiring. The weather was perfect, all other conditions excellent, and the peacefulness of floating amid so many other balloons was simply fantastic!

The pilot took us both high and low, rising to 750m and then descending low through the valleys to see the rock caves dug out so many centuries ago. To view the ancient homes of ancient Christians seeking refuge from enemies, the tombs and the storehouses, the pigeon coops carved in the mountains so those tiny messengers from valley to valley could find rest, and the skill of the pilot negotiating the ‘chimneys’ made the morning so very special. There were many times when my heart was singing praises, and my voice was very close. But with 24 people in the basket it may well have been an intrusion! A quiet hum of ‘How Great thou Art’ sufficed.

The descent and landing was a real tribute to Volkan, the pilot. The support team meeting us at landing, had communicated their location and Volkan, with unspeakable precision landed the 24 person basket on the trailer of the vehicle for its return to base!

We then celebrated at our landing location with champagne, chocolate cake and certificates. We returned to the hotel for a more substantial breakfast before leaving yet again to visit some amazing viewpoints for photographs and then to see one of the many underground cities of this area, where Christians hid from persecution. Intricate tunnels, rooms, chapels, storehouses, ventilation shafts, wineries and kitchens, amazed us all. The tiny part that we saw was only 10% of that particular site, and there are many more scattered throughout this ancient volcanic landscape. We descended 77 metres, but our understanding is that the underground cities were much more expansive. Quite incredible.

Christians continued to live in these parts for the ensuing centuries, and the great Cappadocian Fathers, Basil and the two Gregorys hail from these parts. During our visit to Göreme [now an outdoor museum] we entered the tiny rock church dedicated to St. Basil. It was amazing to consider that we were in the location of the great man who defended good theology, opposed Arianism, and supported the Nicene Creed.

More and more carved out rocks were made into chapels and monasteries, with living quarters and eating quarters. Our minds boggled at the sheer determination and patience it would have taken to build these chambers, to live there, and to provide for yourself and others.

We praise God for his faithfulness in seeing that these early Christians were protected, were encouraged, and that they spread the faith.