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
posted by David & Marian Sloss @ 5:09 AM
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