On November 7^th, 206 Tours Founder and President, Milanka Lachman will be honored at the St. Paul Center Gala as she receives the St. Lydia Award! This prestigious award is given every year by the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology to a recipient who embodies St. Lydia’s faith, courage, and contributions to the Church.

Who was St. Lydia? She was a businesswoman who encountered the Apostle Paul while he was evangelizing in Greece. She is mentioned in Acts 16:14 which says, “One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.” Lydia was baptized and became the first Christian convert in Europe. She also had her entire household baptized after her. You can still visit the site of where she was baptized by St. Paul while on a Pilgrimage to Philippi, Greece.

Lydia is referred to as “a dealer in purple cloth” indicating that she was a successful businesswoman. She used her gifts and influence at the service of the Lord to help bring other people to Christ. Her openness of heart and “yes” to God’s call continues to inspire the faithful today.

St. Lydia has long been an inspiration for Milanka Lachman, who, like Lydia, answered God’s call to help others grow in faith. When she founded 206 Tours in 1985, Milanka was a single mother of two with no connections to clergy, no money, and no professional experience. Her “yes” in founding 206 Tours was like Lydia’s in that she heard the voice of the Lord and responded willingly although she did not know what lied ahead. Milanka reflected that, “St. Lydia has taught me not to question the odds, but to trust in the Master of all things, who is working through us, to do the accomplishments of His divine purposes!”

Like St. Lydia, the Lord has continued to use Milanka’s professional gifts and leadership for His glory. 206 Tours has now grown to become the leader in Catholic Pilgrimages providing exceptional experiences to hundreds of thousands of clients. Milanka’s strong leadership has built an extensive network of employees, partners, clergy, and pilgrims around the world. Her conviction in the transformational power of Pilgrimages fuels her passion to help others encounter Christ in the very places He has revealed Himself around the world.

206 Tours is proud to partner on Pilgrimages with the St. Paul Center and is blessed to have Dr. Scott and Kimberly Hahn as one of their valued group leaders. Today, 206 Tours travels to 33 countries and operates hundreds of departures every year. Since those humble beginnings, God has continued to bless and use 206 Tours and Milanka as instruments for His glory. This year, 206 Tours celebrates its 40^th Anniversary and there is no greater honor than for Milanka to receive the St. Lydia Award.

Purchase Tickets to Attend the St. Paul Center Gala: https://stpaulcenter.com/gala

View Our Pilgrimage Directory: www.206tours.com/pilgrimages

 

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