Cyprus Adventure

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

posted by David & Marian Sloss @ 6:59 AM