At the Crossroads …
Last evening I wrote that I had two ideas to share with you and then the first one got longer than anticipated so I left the second until later. Well, later is Saturday afternoon and I am happy to share once again.
This past week brought a realization which could only take place in this unique country in all the world, I think. You see, Cyprus is home to many of the world organizations, particularly mission ones, which seek to reach into Northern Africa and the countries of the Middle East. As such there is a real cosmopolitan air about this country, at least as I experience it each day greeting the students as they come to school, many dropped off by parents whom I am getting to know. Our attendance at various churches only confirms the diversity of ethnic backgrounds which merge here. In some ways it seems that I have been placed in some gigantic global blender and dumped out with representatives of so many nations right here within the environment in which Marian and I serve.
Let’s see how we can share this.
“Good afternoon, Dr. Sloss. Welcome! I sorry, my English no very good.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you. Do you have a student here at the Academy?”
“Yes, my son, he not very good in IA (our Grade 9).”
As our conversation continues I find that she is a doctor of Physiotherapy from the Ukraine. At once there is a bond as I explain that I have visited a very small part of her country on the very west. [Is this why God had me visit the Ukraine a couple of years ago?]
She sees the picture of Marian and me with our 8 grandchildren on my desk, picks up the photo and rhapsodizes about how rich I am. Funny to think that grandchildren make you rich while raising your own children often seems to have the exact opposite effect!
As she leaves and we shake hands the office comes to an unusual quiet giving me time to retrace some of the past few days and sense how diverse a population we serve.
Let me try and list some of them - Swedish, Iranian, Spanish, South African, Libyan, Greek, Cypriot, Korean, English, Ukrainian, Canadian, Lebanese, Turkish, Armenian, American, Egyptian, Israeli, Chinese, Filipino, Thai, Argentinian, Bolivian, Brazilian … and that’s all I can remember knowing specifically about their ethnic background. You now see what I mean about being in the global blender!
One of the wonderful things is that there is an equally interesting blend of cultures when it comes to faith. We have experienced: Greek Evangelical, Reformed Presbyterian, Greek Orthodox, Church of God in Prophecy, Anglican, New Life Fellowship (Moderate Charismatic), Seventh Day Adventist, International Church, Community Church, World Vision, YWAM, Sat 7, … Is such diversity a basis for pointing out the differences or an opportunity to see the diversity of the Gospel expression joined in a common thrust to share Jesus Christ as the Truth, the Way and the Life?
I smile when I see how my personal faith journey has given me the exposure and ability to know the differences of many of these groups and yet be able to dialogue with them. Many of you who have sat near me on a Sunday will know that I often carry a Complete Jewish Bible. I have one sitting on my desk at the Academy (I use it for the three assemblies we have each week before classes begin - yes, Bible reading and prayer!!!).
A lady who has a student at the Academy came to see me on Friday and wondered whether we would be interested in having a young Russian Olympic skater, Katyah, who has come to Christ, come and speak at an assembly. In our introduction she had stated that she was SDA, from Argentina. It was interesting to see how God directed our conversation because we soon were discussing issues of a Biblical nature. She had recently read something from Romans two and reached into her purse and pulled out the NT of the Jewish Bible. I smiled and showed her the one on my desk. We smiled and immediately had a degree of understanding which was deeper. I found out that she has advanced degrees in Philosophy, and Theology. [Lord, is that why you urged me to do graduate studies?] Her husband is currently in Lebanon doing some reconstruction work on a water system and will be home next weekend. She said she will invite Marian and me to come over and continue our conversation.
Like a child’s carousel, this world seems to be spinning faster and faster – would someone please ask the operator to slow it down a little and give us time to catch our breath?
Marian and I did not venture far today because we need to get some rejuvenation before the next week begins. But hopefully the next blog will contain the pictures and account of A Morning in Old Nicosia!
Bye for now.
David
On a warm Friday evening…
Two events stand out which I would like to share this evening. Grab a cup of tea, get comfortable and let’s share our week.
Good, my favourite tea - Blossoms of Spring - from Distinctly Tea in Waterloo - yes, right here in Nicosia!
Wednesday evening was the PTA (parent/teacher association) meeting which I am duty bound to attend. Some things, one just has to endure. As a spectator I watch how meetings are run with little opportunity to have input and so agonize over the Middle Eastern way in which such things develop - every one has an opinion on every topic and feels that their idea needs to be heard and so like some market hawker, they are all speaking (shouting?!) at the same time and think that they are being heard!
It was an opportunity for me to meet parents and I enjoy doing that so the evening was not a total loss. Since we had eaten around 4 pm after I got home from school, by 9:30 some hunger pangs were starting to suggest that more food was needed. After parking the car, I was walking toward the apartment and could not resist the pull of the small taverna across the street. The smell of barbequing chicken and lamb are too much for me to resist - I will surprise Marian!
I walk in, now recognized by the owner due to our three previous visits, and ordered a chicken souvlaki for take out and sat down to wait its preparation.
This is a small restaurant by Canadian standards with square tables covered in brown and white checkerboard cloths adorned with brown serviettes stuck into a glass to prevent them from littering the neighbourhood! The width of this restaurant is no more than 12 feet and its length, well where do you measure to - the edge of the building, the edge of the road - since at various times it seems to creep out of its confines and on to the sidewalk and to the edge of the road. Let’s say it’s about 18 feet long. You get the idea of the compact size, crowded with tables to seat about 60 people if they were all filled.
There is a set of stairs which leads to a mezzanine where people can congregate during the cooler months of the year, or if they want a really intimate spot away from most of the traffic both in and out of the restaurant. Back under the stairs is a door leading to the cleanup area and also the place where they make the most delicious village salads. If you are eating in the restaurant, when the salad arrives, there is ritual to conduct before eating it - sprinkle with salt, squeeze some fresh lemon juice from the three green lemons on the small tray at the center of the table - then toss the salad mixing the greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, feta cheese and olives. Heavenly!
But I am waiting for my souvlaki to cook in the very small area which is set aside to prepare the hot foods - no more than 8 feet long and in total five feet wide. This is the evening residence for the two cooks who man their various stations. One oversees the glowing red briquettes which fill a trough about 3 feet long and 10 inches wide. My two chicken souvlaki on bamboo skewers are turned frequently as they brown and absorb the unique flavour of the smokey briquettes. As orders arrive from the two waiters, new offerings are added to this altar of smoke and heat - two smallish Cypriot sausage are pierced by two flat skewers to prevent them from rolling away from the heat, a flat basket similar to the old fashioned wire toasters which were held over an open flame or open stove port is filled with lamb liver pieces which have been ceremonially anointed with liberal amounts of lemon juice and salt prior to their baptism of heat.
How’s your tea? May I pour another cup?
The second cook, like an airliners co-pilot has his own share of duties - man the french fry cooker, keep the seemingly endless supply of Cypriot pita bread warm and fresh for patrons to dip into various mixtures such as hummus, a spicy feta dip or tzatziki. The pace in this small culinary cave is astounding and increases in speed as the night progresses. What had appeared as a partly filled restaurant when I arrived is now filling up as the Cypriots are late diners. This taverna is known for excellent food and reasonable prices.
Above the hood over the cooking surfaces is a world war II vintage bicycle and as I look at it my mind wanders. I know men who probably used such vehicles for transportation in the wars where they fought for right and good. I wonder what stories that cycle could tell? I can only imagine because most of those who participated in the hell which we call war seem reluctant to share the images with which they lived - some things are so horrible that we do not want to relive them. Truth is always purchased at great price and we owe a debt to those whose passion for truth allowed them to sacrifice for the cause which is greater than any of us.
As my gaze goes around the room, I notice small blackboard type signs with Greek inscriptions - what do they say? I can only guess since my knowledge of Greek is almost nil. Aha, but there is something I do recognize, a single word, but alas it is too little to tell me whether I am gazing at the writings of some ancient philosopher or some saying whose meaning is cloaked in mystery. Until I learn or ask, it will remain just that.
A large tinfoil container with some village salad rests on the counter waiting to receive its tempting order. Is it mine, or has some phone call ordered a pickup. In go two deliciously browned skewers of chicken and then the first cook passes it to the second who adds his blessing of french fries, adds a top, places it in a bag along with a pita wrapped in paper, joins the two parts of the bag and motions that this is for me. At last the tempting offering is nearing - as I open the door to the flat, Marian exclaims with a cookie in her hand, “Not five minutes ago I though you would come home with some food!”
We retire to the balcony overlooking the taverna and share of our evenings while thankful that we are able to enjoy this culinary treat! … Now off to bed because 5:15 am comes too soon and then we are back at school for another day of serving!
Would you like some more tea … ?
David
PS. The seond idea will come later!
May I introduce … Christos?
Does it ever surprise you the things that God brings into your life - many unexpected, most unplanned, and yet so wonderful!?
Last week as we entered the building there was an elderly man standing there and he asked if we were the new people from Canada. he introduced himself and said he had been told we were coming by Dr. Worsham.
After dinner tonight (4 pm after I got home from school!) we were going out for a walk, and wanting to support the small store across the street we went in and purchased a few things. Because we were going for a walk, and didn’t want to go back up the apartment, I was going to leave them at the taverna until we returned.
As I walked into the taverna, this man said, “Hello Mr. David! How are you tonight?” It was Christos who goes to the taverna every evening and just sits hoping someone will come along to talk and share in his life. I put our package down and said we were going to have a walk. About 45 minutes later we returned and Marian went up the flat while I sat down with Christos.
In Cyprus, time seems to move slowly and so did Christos as he spoke to me of life and what was important to him.
“Mr. David, I don’t want to harm anyone and I want to please God” were his opening words to me.
“What do you like to drink?”
“Do you have some grapefruit juice?”
“I will check.” In a few moments a glass of grapefruit juice arrived and so I knew that it was offered!
Christos, what did you do when you were working?
“I worked at several jobs - the forestry ministry, in the diplomatic community and finally as an attache to the minister.”
“That must have involved a great deal of traveling!”
“I know almost every square foot of this whole island of Cyprus! It is a beautiful place. And if you get to know the people you will find them warm, caring and interested in your life.”
“Did you travel outside of Cyprus?”
“Oh yes, I went to Greece and other parts of Europe. But I like Cyprus!”
I sat quietly and waited. He is an elderly man which whitish hair, a white mustache, skin whose wrinkles show the etchings of time with their deep creases and crevasses. His smallish round glasses in wire frames look look like something from another era. I am intrigued by his frequent return to spiritual comments.
“Every morning I get up around 06:00 and have some Nescafe with milk and read a chapter from the Bible.”
“Where are you reading now?”
“From Leviticus.”
“That’s one of my favourite books of the BIble.”
“Yes, yes.”
“Mr. David, I want to tell you a story … My great grandmother’s name was Evagelios. Her people were shepherds and they had a flock of sheep and goats. One day a cousin of my great grandmother stole some of the rams for her own flock. When my great grandmother found out they were missing she asked someone if they knew where they were. Someone came forward and said they knew where they were. When my great grandmother was going to get them she met her cousin coming to her to repent. My great grandmother said it was acceptable and that was the end of the issue.”
“Repentance and forgiveness!”
“But people aren’t interested in that today!”
“Do you have a family, Christos?”
“My wife died in 1979. We had four boys. I never re-married because any lady I was interested in was afraid of four boys - so I never married again.”
“David, we are friends! Sometimes I get discouraged because I come and sit here and no one wants to discuss. We will discuss and be friends. I will help you and you will help me!”
“The olives. The ones I see on a tree are very small. Do they get larger when the rains come next month?”
“Yes, yes! They will turn from green to black and then they will press them into oil. It is very good for you!”
“Do you know where they press the olives for oil?”
“i will find out and then we can go to the plant and watch them press out the oil.”
“Christos, can you help me understand the word doxa?”
“Yes, yes, it is the highest form of thought that can be expressed.”
“In English we have the world doxology and it means the highest level of praise that we can express.”
“Yes, that is it!”
“And what about the word John uses “in the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was God.”” Christos repeats it in Greek.
“David, I have a bible with the explanation of this in English - you inspire me and I will now go and study it.”
“Christos, I must leave since I have to go to bed early due to my early rising.”
“I understand. … We are friends, David!”
“Good night!”
HOME … for a while at least!
36 Achaion Street, Flat 201,
Agios Andreas, Nicosia 1515, Cyprus, Europe.
Home is a concept which we grow into without really knowing it. We are born into one and we have no concept of what it is. But with time, home comes to be extremely important to us as a place of safety, where we can let our hair down, and where we get nourishment, have fun with siblings and learn from parents or grandparents. Often, if our family stays in an area for an extended time, we come to associate home with a house. But in reality, that is not always true and for Marian and me, our home goes with us even when we change houses. Please, we are NOT turtles or snails!
Our current residence is a flat (apartment) on the third floor of a newer building - only a few months old. Our flat is number 201 and on the third floor because here the first floor is designated the ground floor and 1 is our 2 and 3 is our 2. So although we are on floor 3 we are in flat 201.
It has a living-dining area which is L-shaped. The whole apartment has very high, probably 10 foot ceilings due to the concrete structure of the building. This area and the kitchen is ceramic tiled as are the two bathrooms - one a two piece and the other full. There are two bedrooms that are floored with laminate flooring which is so popular now. As I just awoke from a rest in our bedroom I was looking at the ceiling and realized we sleep in a virtual cube each night! I am not superstitious but there has to be some mathematical consequence to spending so much time in such a unique place. Colour scheme - everything is cream coloured so it is easy to match our expensive furniture!
Did I say expensive? Well, the Lord knew that furniture was needed for this apartment and here is how he provided! At the Academy, the Polish embassy had been storing a whole room of furniture in a storage room rented from the Academy. I guess one ambassador’s great furniture turned out to be ugly for the next one! There were living room sofas, chairs, tables and office furniture. Dr. Worsham knew that the embassy owed the Academy some rent so he asked them if he could have all the stored furniture for rent that was owing. When they heard the offer they were excited and said that they would gladly give up the furniture! So, the Academy got about ₤5 000 ($12, 5000 CDN) worth of furniture in place of ₤300 of rent! Not a bad deal at all! So we are enjoying the reddish furniture in our living room. Thank you Lord!
The kitchen has lots of cupboards for storage and Marian and I have not filled them up to any extent whatsoever! The cupboards go all the way to the top of the 10 foot ceilings, so we can’t even get into some of them. There are a few pots and pans, dishes and cooking pots and we are not anxious to go and fill up the cupboards with things we may only use occasionally. Just the other day, if you checked the blog, you saw the purchase of half a rather large squash! Well we decided to make some pumpkin pie with our squash and baked it in a bundt pan since we have no pie plate! We left out the crust since we don’t need the calories and you know what? It tasted just like at home - almost!
There is a front loader washing machine under the granite counter in the kitchen and no dish washer which is OK since there are just the two of us here. The dryer is on the balcony outside the kitchen where there is also a rack for drying laundry. Marian only uses the dryer to fluff up the wash, since the HOT sun dries everything very quickly.
The building we are in has five floors of flats and so it is a six storey building, if you get the earlier drift! The hot water is heated by the sun which is on the roof. As a consequence, in the morning for some hot water, we have to let it run for about three minutes until the hot water gets down this far! Not complaining, mind you, just letting you know the idiosyncrasies of this flat and living in Nicosia! When the water does arrive it is quite hot so we are thankful! The water here is really hard and forms lots of scum on the fixtures - do you clean it off since it will be there with the next shower? Much of the water in Cyprus is now produced from desalination plants and there seems to be no shortage but it is carefully used to irrigate any crops of plants which need the specific moisture to keep growing.
The two bedrooms - well what can I say? In ours there is a queen sized bed and a cupboard which we would call a closet but it is divided into one section for shorter things like shirts and skirts while a second section is for longer dresses and then in the bottom there are two drawers for sox etc. Very compact and yet efficient. The second bedroom has a similar closet and a large single bed.
We have computer access to the internet and while talking with Michael recently he sent some pictures and they were here within 30 seconds! That’s fast communication.
There are no curtains on the windows and we don’t feel they need to have any, unless we stay for longer than the one year originally suggested! No pictures on the wall - how do you hang pictures on a solid concrete wall without losing great chunks of the concrete which they landlord would not look on kindly? By the way, the landlord is British and works for British Airways so it is a rather long commute to pick up the rent! Seriously, I have yet to find out about how the rent is paid since the first month was paid directly by the school, I think! Rent is ₤320 which is equivalent to $800 CDN then there is a common fee of ₤15 = $38 per month. The utilities on top of that amounting to approximately ₤125=$310 per month so you get some idea of the expenses here. Yes, utilities are expensive throughout Europe and this is no exception. I will include a few photos and hope that together they will give you an impression of our home during our stay in Nicosia!
We have a television, and can get some Cyprus news in English each day at 6:45 pm, and in the mornings there is European news. If we want to hear Canadian news we get it off the internet, or read the KW Record on line. Marian checks every morning to see if David is still living.
Our flat faces south west , and from the corner balcony we can see the mountains of Turkish Cyprus to the north, and the Troodos mountains to the south-west. Across the street is a little supermarket next to a very busy Taverna, which spills its tables out on to the sidewalk every night of the week except Sunday. It is a popular place for the people to come and eat and meet friends to visit. They are still at the tables when we retire for the night. We are getting used to all the noise of our neighbourhood. We often hear sirens for the ambulances going to the local hospital.
We enjoy our corner balcony, and often eat our meals out there, as well as sit out there during the evening. It always has a nice breeze in the evening, and sometimes Marian needs a sweater to keep warm when the temp gets down to 26 or so! We bought a little thermometer to keep track of temperatures. During the day it is usually over 30* and cools down to 25* at night.
The good thing with a small apartment is that it takes a lot less time to clean it. Marian likes that!
Well, thank you for taking the tour and we hope that if you have time to visit that you too, will enjoy what God has provided for us. Thank you for your continued prayers, they are more powerful and meaningful than you will even know this side of heaven.
If I could make some very specific requests to help in your praying they would be:
1. That you pray for the spiritual safety of the students and staff at the Academy. Not all know the Lord and so there is the foothold which could become divisive quite easily and thus ruin all of the progress to date.
2. Pray especially that I will have the wisdom and discernment for all of the decisions which I have to make. It seems that so many requests come with a history of which I am ignorant and so do not want to fall into pits if they can be avoided.
3. Pray that God would bless us financially because it seems that everywhere we turn there are needs - computer access to the internet for staff; salaries for staff which I believe are too low compared to other institutions, paint for old classrooms, past loans which need paying, and on it goes. To give you some context which will help you understand:
This school is known as an evangelical one and so stands out from those which the Orthodox church supports. I recently heard from a Board member of the school in Larnaca which is not evangelical that parents had made some sizable donations: One for ₤250 000 and another for ₤30 000 and is going to make another one of the same size. If anyone did such things for our Academy, there would be church and political repercussions. Perhaps that explains why the great need for God to supply our needs out of abundance.
Thank you for standing with us and of sharing so bountifully in prayer, writing and friendship.
David
Agia Napa…
Since this is Saturday and I like to do something which gives me some relaxation and rejuvenation after the hectic demands of the week, we made our way to the south eastern area known as Agia Napa (Ia napa). You will remember that Cyprus is a divided island since the Turkish Cypriots hold the norther part of the island since 1974. So, our adventure along the coast could only go so far due to the divinding line.
We traveled about 1 hour from home on good multilane highways and soon saw the waves of the shimmering Mediterranean Sea. There was a strong southerly wind and so the waves coming ashore were quite significant. This caused some picturesque moments as the waves slammed against the rocks - some appear in the photos.
We passed through one area which is known for its potatoe growing and yes, Cyprus has marvelous potatoes - Marian and I had jacket potatoes for lunch today - we call them baked potatoes! The soil they are grown in is redder than that of PEI - it looked lumpy at this season of the year but does produce great spuds!
Leaving Nicosia (Lefkosia in Greek) we traveled toward Larnaca where there is the major airport and the turned east toward Agia Napa. This is resort city mega times over and since the signs were predominantly in English we assumed that this must be a vacation magnet for the Brits. We did hear some conversation that we understood and that was encouraging! As we walked along the beach, we soon noticed that we were not on a Canadian beach because here as in many parts of Europe, women have optional parts to their swimming attire!!! I am not sure whether this is an economic issues ( I could hardly believe that since there is so little in those two piece things anyway!) or a fashion statement! In either case it was frequent and obvious!
We stopped several times along the coast to take some pictures and enjoy the scenery which was breath-taking! The blue green of the clear water melding with the blue of the sky made one realize that when God creates, He is so generous! We then came to Cape Gkreko (greko) and we climed to the top where we had the most fantastic view - if it had been clearer, I think we would have seen Lebanon or Syria.
By now we were getting hot and happened to see a small cove which we drove to and enjoyed our first swim in the Med this trip. What refreshment and cooling.
But for the plantlife in this area, there seemed to be that aching parched longing or groaning as Paul says in Romans, for water to cool the parched soil. As we returned to Nicosia and entered the city, the dark clouds framed against the mountains to the north told us there was rain on the way. In a few moments we had the first rain of the season and it was significant. I am certian that the plants will just thrive and rebound now that nourishment has returned.
Just by way of other topics, Marian has developed a real knack of doing village salads and so we enjoy at least one per day! Our trip to the market in the old city this morning before our adventure, was an education in how to hawk your produce! Shouting at every turn and lots of choice and prices are fine. We went into the agora (permanent market place) and found a spice man from whom we purchased some sweet curry and paprka! A few stalls away we found some fresh Halloumi cheese and as well taswted a couple of cheeses we will retun to buy - you know me and cheese! - one will be a very fresh sheep's milk cheese which is very much like ricotta while the other is sheep's milk cheese which has been aged at least a yeaar. Yummy taste to both of them!
I hope the pictures give you a few insights as to how our adventure went. No captions needed this time!
David
Whe-e-e-e-w!
It’s Friday evening in Nicosia and your day in North America has barely gotten off the ground. The seven hour difference means that while our day is playing out, you are enjoying the restful bliss of sleep! Conversely, when we are enjoying our late evenings we know you are rushing with the detail of your day’s commitments.
Friday is something we all look forward to as we see the week unfolding - it means that there are couple of days, to relax, recuperate and perhaps get some of the things done which have been calling for some time. While you contemplate your coming weekend, ours has arrived!
Marian has had an interesting week so I will let her fill you in on those details.
I have spent a lot of time with Donna Worsham, who is doing a great job of taking me around to different places, events and activities. It has been very helpful to me so that I feel like I know a few things, and I’m getting familiar with people and places and customs. She has introduced me to many of her friends. I went last Friday and again today to a Ladies Bible Study, to an Anglican Prayer Breakfast and the Greek Ladies Bible Study took us to the Marks and Spencer Cafe for coffee. While I was out one day, one of the women “lost” her wallet, so that was a good reminder for me to keep my purse closed and close to me. What a nuisance when something like that happens. One day I went with Donna to the other side of the divided city. You have to go through the green line, and show your passport in order to go there. Once there you find a city that is not as well taken care of as the south part of Nicosia. There is still evidence of buildings that need to be re-built, and it just seems to be kind of tired looking. There are lots of small shops, a Turkish bazaar where you can buy things from spices, nuts, handcrafts, fruits and vegetables to clothes, pashminas, shoes and Turkish delight. Since it is the Turkish side, it is very much like I remember Istanbul.
It is still quite warm, but the people are saying that it is in fact cooling down, and by October it will be quite pleasant. I am just learning to walk slower, and keep to the shade or use an umbrella. Plus drink lots of water-that is very important. I’ll close and turn things back to David.
I am surprised at what constitutes my days and weeks here. As principal of the Academy, I am at the school usually by 6:30 so that I am able to get myself organized before students and staff arrive. Mr. Dino is the one who usually is there before me and he is such an interesting individual. retired from the police services, he knows the city of Nicosia like the back of his hand! He is the bus driver - really van driver - which goes into the north part of Nicosia twice each morning to get students for the school. It is quite a sight to see all of the students - both primary and secondary arriving dressed in their beige pants or skirts and white golf shirts with the school crest emblazoned in wine and white. During the day, while waiting for the return trips in the afternoon, he busies himself doing the many odd jobs - fetching supplies, repairing broken things, watering the straggly plants - which never seem to end.
As I stand at the front of the school to greet them, I see many parents who drop off their charges, making it a morning ritual to greet and hear of concerns even before the day really gets started. Three days a week the students of the secondary panel meet in the auditorium to hear announcements and then a short devotional followed by prayer. What a mission field! To think that in front of me as I go through each assembly there are staff and students who do not understand what it means to have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Pray that they might hear not only the words but see living examples of His love working with them each day.
As I speak with students I like to ask them how school is going and they are uniform in their appreciation for the opportunity to attend the academy. Do you like it here? “It is the best school I have ever been in!” Such comments give me courage to face the myriad of challenges which seem to land on my desk each and every day.
We must persevere in spite of the discouragement of slow progress and overwhelming needs all rooted in the soil of financial restraint. Oh that God would bless us with the additional funds to do some of what I see as being so basic -
• A new NO PARKING sign which would replace the existing one held in place by a piece of wire on the railing above the primary wall. Someone has seen fit to damage the sign so that it rests, twisted and dangling uncharacteristically, too low so that it could be a source of injury for students.
• Paint to freshen the entry to the academy which would give visitors and students a sense of pride, and paint for classrooms which show their age of some 80 plus years.
• The list seems endless and at the staff meeting some of the staff used the term medieval concerning the lack of access to the internet. Yes, a few hundred pounds would make that a reality but we do not have it yet!
I am determined to count on God to take the little which I can scrounge from here and there and to multiply it beyond our imagination. Staff salaries are too low and I would love to see some encouragement in raising them a few more pounds per month so that they would see that their sacrifice and diligence is appreciated.
But there has been some progress this week. The photocopying room which staff use was the proverbial disaster and the young secretary suggested that staff never seemed concerned about keeping it clean. She would clean it in the morning and by afternoon it was a total mess with paper all over the place and trash in abundance. The fact that there are 18 four drawer file cabinets made the situation worse because it made the usable space so much less.
As I took stock of the situation, I decided we could re-arrange the whole thing and even though we could not replace anything we could make things more efficient. Now all the file cabinets are in two rows against the far wall taking up much less space and only separated enough to open a drawer. Now the photocopiers are easily accessed, there is a table where staff can work, chairs to sit in while waiting for the copiers to finish, paper cutters available within easy reach and in the middle - a large garbage can for waste!
This small step has received many positive comments from staff which suggest that the little effort expended has paid large dividends! Thank you Lord!
As the week comes to a close as far as the school is concerned, we will be saying a final farewell to Joe and Donna. In one sense it will be sad to see them go because it has been due to their efforts that the academy even exists today. Four years ago it was at death's door and now people are starting, once again, to see the academy as the place to have their children educated! Thank you Joe and Donna for the four years of diligence and thank you Lord for your vision and sustaining.
A verse which came to me as an encouragement this week was from Psalm 37. There I read these words:
“Trust in the Lord and do good,
settle in the land and feed on faithfulness.
Then you will delight yourself in the Lord
and he will give you your heart’s desire.” 37:3 (CJB)
As I contemplate that second line it seems that God has placed this for us. Settle in the land and feed on faithfulness. In other words it appears that we are to be content here for the time being and see the continuing faithfulness of God as we work here. It is that which we depend and count on because there is so little that we have to meet the many needs.
The beautiful setting sun out our west window reminds us that He is faithful and will meet the needs with which we are involved!
Thank you again for your time and your continuing friendship and faithfulness in remembering us in prayer. The exhaustion and tiredness seem less a burden because we know of your partnership with us in the Gospel!
David
A Day in the Life of David:
The last couple of days I have felt much better about my role in the school. I seem to be rested and everything is not as new as before. I hope I am doing a good job because I see so many many areas which need improvement and I know that some of the teachers will balk and say, “But this is Cyprus Dr. Sloss and that is the way we do it here!”. To which I will respond, “If our students are going to live the rest of their lives in some village cultivating a garden for their livelihood, then I agree with you! But since most of them will be involved in higher education and then in jobs where there is international competition, then perhaps we better rethink how we do things!” So, I am being seen as one who is tough and demanding so I guess some things don't change do they?
I want the graduates of the Academy to be able to compete on the world stage which is much more obvious here than in Canada. Competition here is from every corner of the world! Europe, the Middle East, North America and even the Far East. Marshall McLuhan was right about the global village!
What did I have to deal with today?
1. Someone saluting me as he entered the school he said “Heil Hitler!” Needless to say he got a reaction which he did not expect! He even wrote me an apology later on which he had proofread by a teacher before submitting it to me! We have so many nationalities, that I could not let such an incident go unanswered. He was Armenian and I asked if would have liked someone doing a similar thing to him to which he responded - no, never!
2. Short meeting about the report I have to write for the Board about the relocation of the Preschool to our library building. I am expected to do all this running around and getting a price for the Board! Renovations, furniture, relocate the existing library - where? What do we do with the books, shelving, tables and chairs? PLayground equipment needs to be replaced. Some needs to have a safety barrier placed around it. Need new washrooms for the tots installed. How much? New safety latches on the gates so the little ones can't open them.
3. Had a brief meeting with the Administrative Assistant since we are under a short time line to get information for an excursion together for a couple of classes. This is the third try at it and I made the decision that we are going to try to get the price down by reducing the number of days we are away and also going to one city instead of trying to do two. _ Budapest, I think!
4. Out to do some rounds and see some students while they have their first break of the day for 25 minutes - discuss with some staff the agenda for Thursday's staff meeting which I placed in the mail boxes so that they can read before the meeting. Some of them are concerned at what my expectations are - they will adjust I am sure!
5. Over to the library building to see Marian who is working on some book repair and will volunteer there two mornings a week. This will help keep her busy and give her something to occupy her time.
6. Out to the primary school to support their new canteen (snackbar) venture to help these kids get healthy alternatives instead of the regular pop and chips!
7. Stop into a Bible class and sit for a few minutes to see how the students enjoy the subject and just to be seen in a class.
8. Down to the office to see a lady who is taking over some administrative training and then to go through some resumes to see who we can get to replace her.
9. Interview with a Bulgarian lady who is looking for a teaching job but whose English is so poor that we could not consider her.
10. Students stop me to ask if they can use some school rooms to practice their music after school. I ask them to see me later in the day so I can investigate their past.
11. Discuss with the head of PE if there is another place to store two of those large patio heaters which are in the copy room. He said yes and agrees to move them for me.
12. Stopped in the hall to ask if it is OK to have a parent merely send a fax message to acknowledge their permission to let their student leave campus during the day (only the grade 13's get this privilege).
13. Primary school principal arrives with a list of issues - we have a stalker in the preschool who entered the school today. How do we want to handle this? My response:
a. Engage him in conversation and call me on my cell.
b. when I arrive call Katerina to call the police.
c. Alert all teachers of this possibility and have them keep the children safe by closing the doors.
d. you look after the classes, I will look after the stalker until police arrive.
14. Nikki stops me and asks what I want for a list of requirements for the pre school relocation. I discuss the need and Friday deadline.
15. Another break and this one occupied by three math teachers who are struggling with the new curriculum. This short meeting ends and they return to class with the promise of another meeting to further discuss the issues.
16. Deputy SS principal arrives to discuss some issues - IIIA girl skipped double period of Business. How do you want to treat that? I want to see her to discuss the issue! I inform her of the new administrative assistant. I ask her to call a new English teacher candidate for an interview as soon as possible.
17. Talk with the office secretary about rearranging the copy room and she likes the idea.
18. Deputy principal suggests that many teachers are arriving late for class - that is the way it is in Cyprus! Not any more!
19. Student arrives with a piece of birthday cake because it is her 16th birthday. I congratulate her and return to my meeting!
20. Student who wants to do music arrives for my decision. “I am afraid you are not going to like the decision but I have no choice but to say NO. The reputation and damage done last year leaves me no other choice. Besides there would be no supervisor.”
21. Return call to a Board member who did some research for me on VAT refunds possibilities - not too good for us at this time but I will continue to investigate if it is in our interest.
22. Student who missed class arrives and deputy Prin. and I discuss with her her ambitions and frustrations. I think she left feeling I had understood her and that she needed to change her behaviour if she hoped to reach her goal of becoming a lawyer.
23. Students have left the building by now - 2:45. I am starting to relax - I have been here since 6:30 am with no break. I need to go to the washroom!
24. Some phone calls and organizing for tomorrow's start and then I leave for home at 3:15.
The day has gone well and I am happy that I could handle the situations! Thank you for your prayers! Keep them up!
David
Sory for the mess of that last blog!!! I guess it shows I don't know what I am doing or else the software doesn't do things the way I thought. What can I do? Just leave you to have fun pairing the pictures with the appropriate text. For some reason the text did not keep with the picture even though I took great pains to match them up before posting!
David
Excursion to Galata and Kakopetria Saturday morning!
NOTE: This is a first attempt at putting pictures up and captions so I hope they are sunchronized. If not try to connect them!
Hi everyone! It is good to get your messages and pictures. Here are some from this morning!
Here Marain is peeling an apple as we stop in the village of Galata. It is about 60 km west and slightly south of Nicosia. The apples are just coming in season and so we bought two kinds - delicious and gala. Notice that behind Mom that we are in the mountains as far as they go here - up to about 2000 m.
A Cypriot beauty who is seen holding a branch of the national fruit - olives. I have found some olives in a store which are less salty and so I really enjoy them for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
If you look carefully in this photo, you not only see the mountains but the terraced mountains suggesting that every available space is used for cultivation.
You know I like doors and this is one on the church which is a few pictures down the list. Note that the painting above the door was vandalized by one of the marauding nations - probably the Turks because as Muslims they have no tolerance of Christians and their art!
A beautiful specimen evergreen of some form which seemed so lush in the arid conditions which cover the island at this season of the year. The landscape is at its worst as we approach the end of the dry season. Rains should begin in another month or so.
Marian ringing the bell outside the old church. This is a world heritage site with all of its nearby churches. The one in front of which she is standing (no picture) is actually a church built over a church to protect it from further deterioration. It goes back to the fifteenth century and was built after the 14th century invasion of the Venetians.
Marian and the tank! Both seem to work well and are solidly built! The cart lacks power which necessitates a lot of shifting and turing off the AC!
Here's the little old church I mentioned. I have been in it previously and the art is magnificent but unfortunately is declining with age - like us!
Figs are a frequent metaphor in Scripture and this is an example of soon to be ripe figs. The fresh ones taste so much different than the dried ones and are certainly less sweet.
This is the last picture in Galata and as we were getting into the car I saw this nearby pine tree with this expressive bark - so deeply fissured which reminded me of some of the old faces I have seen - weathered and deeply grooved with the passage and ravages of time. This trunk seemed to speak of trying times in the mountains with the weather modulating from the cold snows of winter (there is snow in Cyprus mountains - 3 to 4 feet!) to the desert-like conditions at the end of the dry season. But through it all, it has developed a deep bark (skin) which protects it even in the severe experiences of weather to continue to grow and overcome!
Now on to the village of Kakopetria - bad rock - here a small stream used in past centuries to power a nearby mill rushes down the valley wall bring coolness and refreshment. The dude in the picture refused to move until a picture was taken!
Here the stream goes under a Roman style arched bridge to flow along the valley floor and reaches Galata where the oldest water driven mill in Cyprus still works! I like this scene for the mysterious invitation it seems to relay.
The next pictures are from the old village area as will be evident. Here, an outdoor oven, similar to the ones we have seen in Quebec are still used to bake the daily bread - Everywhere I go I see the Scripture come alive in new ways!
A narrow side street - no cars fit along this one - with potted plants and wooden balconies reached by steep wooden stairs closer to being a ladder than stairs - space here on the side of the valley is in short supply so every square metre is precious!
The sign at left gives the name of the street but for us it should be only a foot path since no vehicle can hope to navigate!
These next two shots are of the church tower in the old village - the church is still used and has been recently refurbished. I love the stark white against the deep blue of the sky here. The second shot uses an olive tree to hide some less attractive aspects lower down.
Look carefully here! This is the main street of the village. Notice the overhanging second storey porches and the three people in conversation on the street. This is a vehicle street - only one car wide! Reminds me a little of the York Shambles in England.
I stopped to take a picture of the bowl of figs and immediately from the left the lady came out. I guess she was watching behind a curtain. We bought some of the grapes which were soooooo goooood! They were probably grown on someone's trellis nearby! Mom also purchased a bottle of rose water - actually this lady made it and I think somehow she gets the water to smell like roses.
Here are some of the preserves which the same lady made - one of them, actually the dark on quite a ways away is actually green walnuts which have been preserved, shell and all! I tasted one in a restaurant and it was creepy - what you know is hard - the shell - through the preserving process has become soft and is nothing like the texture you expect. The flavour - sweet like the syrup. Below are jars of the preserved fruit in larger pieces and below that are what she called marmalades. Jams, I guess!
Another interesting street scene.
These are the type of grapes we bought and could have actually come from this arbor!
Some dude who found some water to wash off his sticky hands from the grapes!
Two flower - - - pots! Marian wants to bring one like on the left home - in her dreams!!!
The type of signs we deal with now - Greek and English.
Marian shot this one of a lady preparing barbequed chicken for the tourist trade which flocks to this town. I was warned not to try and go on Sunday as the narrow streets would have made navigation virtually impossible with the tank!
On the way home we stopped at a bustling grocery store where we picked up some things we needed. I am holding only part - about half of a squash which I anticipate will be like our butternut squash - at least I hope so! I asked Mom if she could use it to make a pumpkin pie but we don't have a pie plate! I will see what we can improvise!
Well. I hope you enjoyed out trip as much as we did! We are now home and had our lunch about three o'clock! It was very delicious - half a ripe tomato each, half a cucumber each, some purchased red beet salad (just a little) I had five large black low salt olives, and then a little chicken with vegetables which were left overs. While waiting for the left overs to warm, we toasted a Cypriot pita (oval rather than round and slightly different texture) and shared it with some tatziki! Such healthy eating! We are starting to enjoy it!
Any of the pictures is much larger but I downsized them to show you by email. Perhaps if you know a way to get bigger pictures while being small file sizes you could let me know. I know they are much better large! If you would like to see any of them larger, please let me know.
Until next time - our love to each and everyone of you!
David
SORRY THIS ONE IS OUT OF ORDER – OBVIOUSLY!!
Wednesday, September 6, 2006 – Athens, Greece.
Thankfully, leaving Toronto was uneventful with no question as to the weight of luggage we carried! We flew Olympic Air from Toronto to Athens and will finish the jouorney tomorrow with the same airline. Our flight was smooth and comfortable with a stop over in Montreal enroute. I am not certain how one is to classify airline food. It looks much like things with which I am familiar; I am told what it is, but there is still that lingering hesitation after one bites into it - how long ago was this actually living - I am beginning to think that someone needs to rethink what is served or allow us to bring along what we like.
Incidentally, since we arrived at the Toronto airport just around lunch time, we did pack our own tuna on fresh buns along with fresh raw vegetables and fresh fruit mixture purchased at Zehrs before leaving. How enjoyable and tasty in view of the forgoing comments!
I am thankful for the ability to sleep almost anywhere and so I was able to get a good five hours of sleep during the night - comfortable? Well, that’s another question! But at least I was able to arrive in Greece knowing who I was and why I was there!
We checked into the Sofitel Airport Hotel believing that an overnight in Athens enroute to Cyprus would allow us to accommodate some of the seven hour time difference. When we checked in around 11 am, Marian’s first desire, after a nice warm bath, of course, was to “sleep just a couple of hours, please!” As the more seasoned traveler, I had to tell her that if she did that, she would find she could not sleep at night and that would make things worse in Cyprus!
So, we bought Metro (subway) tickets to the centre of Athens and we were on our way. Forty minutes later we emerged from about 100 feet below grade - up three long escalators! - to the bright 31ºC sunshine.
One is immediately struck with the coexistence of the ancient and modern - remnants of marble columns lying scattered on the ground the way ravaging pillagers left them centuries ago within steps of the McDonald’s franchise! (The only thing I consider them good for in traveling is their washrooms!) All this is overshadowed by the dramatic presence of the Parthenon perched high over the city on the Acropolis. Since we had been here before, I had a slight sense of where things were but it was not quite accurate enough. I remembered a small shop which sold gyros in a pita of which we had fond memories both for the taste and the cost. Well, we started our journey on the west side of the Plaka (a warrens nest of narrow streets, touristy shops and outdoor restaurants catering to the ever present tourists) and since we were hungry, our hunger got the better of us after we had walked for about an hour and a half. Three o’clock may seem late for lunch, but in these regions (Greece, Turkey, Cyprus) lunch coincides with the hottest time of the day (so we were eating according to local customs - don’t we acclimatize quickly! We shared a salad and a serving of moussaka with something to drink and enjoyed the shaded environs protecting us from the sun. We paid the bill and moved on, only to find that after less than 100 metres, there was the small shop for which I had been looking! I still bought one for old times sake and it was delicious, however you can appreciate with our appetites already sated, we were not as interested as had been.
From there we wound our way towards the foot of the Acropolis and visited the theatre of Dionysius which gives a distinct insight into the marvels of Roman architecture.How many of our current architectural wonders will be standing centuries from now. Perhaps the idea of planned obsolescence is not so bad after all! I was amazed at the obvious attention to detail that the Romans used in designing their amphitheaters - single stones were carved to be slightly raised where the person sat at the front edge and then behind them the same stone was carved slightly lower where the people would walk. Underground walkways, obscured from the audience allowed actors to exit on one side of the stage and then to reappear on the other! Of course, the best seats in the house were specially carved chairs for those whose position in society warranted such privilege!
Although we did not ascend the Acropolis itself, we did venture far enough up to see the place from where Paul preached his sermon recorded in Acts 17:16ff before the members of the Areopagus in 54 AD. As I stood there I could not help but feel awe at what Paul had done - he had engaged the very elite of Greek society, the intellectuals and decision makers of their day - in presenting Christ as the God whom they honoured as the unknown god. I also find it interesting that one who accepted the testimony of Paul was Dionysius who is believed to have become the first bishop of Athens.
Things went downhill from here, literally as the heat was taking its toll along with the tiredness of bodies deprived of sleep, so we took the short route back to the Metro station stopping to purchase a 1.5 L bottle of cold water on the way. We paid only 0.90 euros for that bottle which was so refreshing!
Back at the hotel we showered and got ready to have some supper at 7:30 - early by the standards of this culture since they usually only consider going out for dinner after 9 pm! We had dinner and ordered a 1 L bottle of water which cost us 5 euros!!!!
While at dinner, a couple sitting at a nearby table heard our English conversation and turned to ask us where we were from and we said Canada - so are we, from Calgary! – and a single man sitting nearby said so am I – from Toronto! The world seems so very small in some ways and yet in others the distance between people is becoming more distant in some critical ways. More on that in a future blog as this has gotten far too long already.
We are enjoying the lights of the area as the sun has set and as it rises tomorrow we will be welcoming the new adventure of Cyprus!
David
School starts – September 11, 2006.
PIcture the arrival of 300 students dressed in beige slacks or skirts and white polo shirts emblazoned with the the American Academy crest in wine and white! 230 of those students belong to the high school and become my responsibility directly while the other 70 are under the leadership of another vice principal.
The day began with all students in the auditorium where I was introduced by Dr. Joe Worsham as the incoming Headmaster. After some words of greeting it was interesting to challenge the students from the Word of God. The verses I chose which I felt were fitting for the beginning of the year were Philippians 3:13, 14.
After some further instructions about rules, they were off to class for the usual beginning of school routines. Besides walking the halls and poking my head into the open classrooms, I dealt with enrollment issues.
One man came with his son from Wales. They had been in the tourist industry there and due to the overbearing legislation concerning that industry - parts of historic walking paths are no longer open to tourists because they might fall down the cliffs into the sea! My, my I am so glad that someone has that deep concern for my well being! I am able to tell whether or not I should get too close to the edge of a cliff!
Anyway, his plane had touched down in Pathos at the west end of the island an all his luggage had been unloaded. The family then proceeded to Larnaca only to find out they were without their things! So, here is a father and his son wanting to enroll and not have any results or money to pay to get in. What do you decide when the policy this year is that no one is admitted without the payment of fees! I suggested that we process him and allow him to enter on the proviso that he get us some money within a couple of days. He said he appreciated that and would go back to the north (Turkish area) and get some money on credit cards and then return with it for me. I jokingly said, if there is no money, there will be no classes – he laughed and so we look forward to the best.
Sound the trumpet! Our phone was installed today and we can call out alright now. The dsl modem was also left but for the life of me I cannot get either computer to function with it. Frustration!!!! Hopefully this will be resolved within a day or two!
Marian helped out at the Primary school today making some sandwiches for the students since they go from 7:30 am until 2:30 pm and there is only two 15 minute recesses. It is a long day for me as I get up before six and today I was home about three thirty without any further food or water since breakfast. Don’t feel too sorry because Marian had a nice meal ready when I got home.
Thanks for the emails!
David
The First Sunday in Cyprus – September 10
The daily cycle of temperature is getting boring with pleasant mornings giving way to humid hot afternoons in the high 30’sºC. It is little wonder that that those in the tropics take afternoons merely to relax and refresh. The evenings tend to bring a breeze to our third floor balcony which is a respite to the heat. As we sit here at 9 pm it 26ºC and Marian just said, it feels almost cold. Will she run for a sweater next?
We attended the Greek Evangelical Church this morning and one of the teachers from the Academy sat behind us and whispered translations in to our ears. Yes, we did recognize some of the songs we sang - Trust and Obey, Come Now is the Time to Worship - but others were new in both words and music!
With such a small evangelical community in Cyprus - some 1,000 Cypriot believers out of a population of 1 million (works out to 0.1% only) this single church has about 100 believers. That is on this whole island there would be only 10 groups the size of the one we attended this morning. Just think that in the New Dundee area there are at least 10 churches which would have an aggregate attendance about the size of Cyprus’ evangelical population! Please pray for those here because they need encouraging to remain faithful and to grow in Christ.
We have learned that there is another church we should look into which is held in English so we may try that one next weekend.
I have already learned that Cypriots are not readers! This has significant implications for the Academy as well as the Church since I am convinced that we are called as disciples of Christ, to be constant students of the Word. One can only imagine how Christian disciples grow - solely through the word spoken in sermons? through local BIble studies? through socialization?
One student from the Academy was in church today and I asked what his favourite subject was and he said Bible - all students are required to take BIble in the Academy. I then asked if he had read through the whole BIble and he said he had not. So I challenged him to do that in the next year and that I would provide him with the outline so that he could do that. I hope he will accept the challenge!
One thing that Canadian society could learn from this one is that on Sundays, businesses are closed! Yes, you read that correctly! It is a day not only to attend church but also to meet with family and to go for walks.
Marian and I took a walk down to the monastery gardens, about ten minutes from here and walked through the spacious grounds - perhaps 5 acres. There is an olive grove, a citrus orchard with fruit just waiting for the rains to fill out, a large fountain, aviary, marble paths and hedged lawns which are a respite from the cityscape. We are thankful that this retreat is so close because it will encourage me to get more walking done and also give a place for relaxation and reading.
I must close as I need to retire - I need to be at school before 7 am to see that things are ready for the students so that means an early start.
Please keep the Academy in your prayers as it is a bastion of light in this culture. We have a busy first week of school, but in addition at least three evening meetings as well, so time is being filled up already. Marian and I will be having a dinner meeting with the past principal, Dr. Joe Worsham and Donna, and the chairman of the Board on Tuesday evening. On Thursday we will be having a meeting with the full Board and their wives, and then Friday evening is a farewell potluck at the church for Joe and Donna.
Although we passed out our phone and email addresses, we do not have connections yet so are waiting patiently for the hook ups which will allow us to post all these blogs as well as email some of you.
Please note that there is a place on the blog where you can email us or alternately a comment section where you can put a comment
David
Friday, September 8, 2006.
Another night of fitful sleep as the body tries to reconcile the divergence between past experience and the new reality! But we awaken to the fact that I must go to the school today for the first and only day prior to student arrival on Monday. While I am there Marian will be taken around Nicosia by Donna Woresham (Principal’s wife) so that she knows where all the best buys are!
The principals’ office is the only A/C room in the whole school and so I am thankful for this small refuge from the heat of the Cyprus summer! Yes, as we walked the 15 minutes to the school this morning, shirt and tie for me! we found that even early in the day such exertion proved to be draining and I arrived hoping that m y deodorant was up to the task! Just think of meeting all the staff if it hadn’t!!!
It was another registration day and was good to see so many parents enrolling their children. I am anticipating that we will have about the same number of students as last year - about 300.
I am thankful for the staff who ease much of the detailed burden of the organization from my shoulders. I have a secretary (Nikki) who answers the phone and does general secretarial work; there is Katarina, an administrative assistant who looks after most of the monetary issues and seems to know everything and everyone - I well need to keep in her good books! Lastly there is Judy who is the Deputy Principal for the Secondary panel and who knows most everyone who comes to the school. In the Primary division there is Suzie P. who looks after the day to day running of that section. I cannot forget Mr. Dino who is the man who drives the school van to pick up students each morning and also does the many needed odd jobs around the school to make sure everything is in working order.
We had a faculty meeting for the secondary panel and I was introduced and given a few moments to speak. I did cram a lot into that short time and afterwards most of the staff came to me and told me their name and the discipline in which they work. There are only 6 men out of the staff of about 45. Many of the teachers are young and have little training for the job so I look forward to being able to provide some much needed instruction and encouragement.
I am told that Cypriots are not readers. I hope I can change that for the staff and students because I am convinced that reading is a requisite skill in our cultures particularly of we even hope to have people who are conversant with a Christian worldview.
Not all the staff are believers so would you pray with us that in our lives and work they would see the genuineness of Christ’s love and the reality of relationship with Him.
I am finding the stretch between breakfast prior to 7 am when I get to school and 3 pm when I can have lunch quite challenging! But, I will accommodate and perhaps find that it is beneficial to getting off some of the excess poundage!
About 7:30 this evening we sensed that the temperature had eased and so went for a walk into the old city. It was interesting to explore some of what is becoming familiar in the old Venetian era cluttered city within a city. We saw a restaurant which we will have to try sometime offering flame cooked chicken - Cyprus’ Swiss Chalet, perhaps! But tonight we opted for a small take out place where we had a chicken gyros with tadziki and onions on a Cyprian pita - now the question is how does it differ from a Greek pita? The Greek one is smaller and cooked with oil. It was a delicious shared supper and then a short stop at a bakery to pick up a few sweets to share completed the evening on our porch with the north breeze bringing another day to a close.
In some ways we are at home, even without so many of the familiar things and family, of course, but there is a deep and settled shalom which gives us confidence that this is the place where God has led. As we have our eyes opened to the task before us, join in prayer that our lives will reflect His love and the commitment to make Him known through the work we do here.
Tomorrow is almost here so I will say, Good night to all, friends!
Athens – Larnaca, Cyprus.
I’m certain you’ve had one of those nights - bone tired from lack of sleep, but still sleep only comes in short duration - two hours and then you check the clock - is it time to get up? Then restlessness while you wait for sleep to overcome your mind and body. That’s our description of last night in Athens! When the morning is to be gin at 04:45 in order to make your flight, your body seems unable to let go and let the wake-up-call do its work!
Morning did arrive eventually, and we were off on the final leg of this journey to our new assignment in Cyprus. The flight was only 75 minutes long and so there was hardly time to do much reading other than to read the morning paper and reflect on the critical nature of the Cyprus situation - it is a divided island since a Turkish invasion in 1974. Koffi Annan, outgoing secretary general of the UN stated while visiting Turkey yesterday that he hoped the incoming SG would have more success with this issue than he had been able to accomplish. So, Cyprus is an international embarrassment in some ways.
We were met at the airport by the bus driver for the school and Joe’s wife Donna and brought to our new apartment about which I will let Marian fill you in. But before she does that, a few observations.
Cyprus is nearing the end of the dry season and so it appears at its worst - much in need of rain. Near Larnaca there is a salt lake - an inland lake which is completely dry at this time but will soon be replenished with the rain runoff and then will become a shallow salt lake where migrating birds such as flamingoes will rest en route from Africa. How did birds know that this island was a resting place on their journey across the Mediterranean Sea? We will have to get some binoculars and visit the lake in migration season.
As one travels from Larnaca on the coast towards Nicosia which is at a higher elevation 54 kilometres from the coast, on observes hills which are virtually treeless exposing their underlying off-white rock. When questioning as to why there are so few trees, one is told that the centuries of marauders who have transgressed this land have taken its trees for ships and timbers for homes leaving behind the barrenness which we see today. The question which enters a Canadian’s mind is: why don’t they re-forest? The simple answer is that they would have to be irrigated in order to survive and that is extremely difficult on a diverse and large scale in a country which depends on desalinization plants for potable water, one immediately understands the priorities and consequently the absence of much forest.
We have just returned from our first shopping expedition - no, Marian was NOT suffering withdrawal! Our apartment needs a few staples so we visited a nearby bakery and purchased some bread, milk, jam, and coffee then ventured to the small grocery store across the street. Zehrs it is not! Space is at a premium so aisles have never and could never tolerate a shopping cart, especially the large ones which Zehrs uses. Here we purchased serviettes, some apples, onions, beans, oil, sugar, laundry detergent, honey, clothespins, eggs, yogurt, butter, cheese (you know I love this) - Haloumi is native here, so guess what will be on my breakfast list? Now guess the price for this basket of goodies and you could b e a winner of a trip to … Sorry, I couldn’t resist! Twenty Cypriot pounds which is the equivalent of about $50 CDN. So, considering, it was a little on the expensive side. We are not complaining but thankful for the opportunity to be here!
Phone is to be connected in the next few days as well as internet so you will receive this late and when we can get connected.
Now we are going out to the old city so Marian can see some of what I saw a few weeks ago. It is five thirty and the heat is passing so we can go in more enjoyable temperatures.
David
The last responsibility was completed today with speaking at Elgin Memorial Church in Stratford followed by a visit to Miriam Sararus. Miriam is a New Dundee resident whose body no longer keeps pace with her clear and active mind. What a joy to share a few moments with her and to reminsce about times much longer ago than we can remember. Her reports in the local Ayr News were always thrilling as she was able to find out all the happenings of families in the village. The demise of her weekly column comes as a disappointment to all who know her - how she would love to still be physicaqlly able to bring those articles in once per week which gave a reading onlife in this small vilalge! As we left with tears in our eyes, she reminded us of her prayers following us in this new venture. Thank you Miriam and may God bless you!
The living room is overflowing with four yawning suitcases like the mouths of birds in a spring nest waiting to be filled. How much do we pack? What will the weather be like during our stay? Is this good enough to take, David? The piles keep growing and the wonder is whether it will all fit.
One down and within the weight limit! So far so good! … Now a second one with this response from Marian, “O good, we can take even more!” David quietly wonders who will be the pack mule who has to carry the said bags with all of the MORE in them!
The good byes are very difficult and yes, the tears are there. Marian commented today, “Its just time to get there!” As we follow the Lord, the easy part is saying we are willing to follow. The difficult part is saying goodbye to friends and family and all that is familiar, to go into what is largely unknown. But we do so with the underlying confidence that when God opens a door, it is an opportunity for obedience. In accepting that obediently, we move forward knowing that He is the ONE who will provide in every aspect of life as our needs surface, so will HIs answers and gracious supply.
David
