Goodbye for a Time from Cyprus …
This last number of months has been a true adventure for Marian and myself as we have had the privilege of exploring this culture and island! We have come to love what it has to offer! But as with all things in life, there are beginnings and there are endings and it is to the latter that we have come.
Here we have had the privilege of meeting so many new friends - Cypriots, Australians, Serbians, Armenians, British, Welsh, German, Russian, Nigerian, Ghanaian, Sri Lankan, … each has touched our lives and made us richer for the experience. As exciting as it is to meet new people whom we quickly classify as friends, there comes a time to say goodbye and that is the difficult juncture at which we find ourselves this week.
Ours has been the privilege to serve colleagues at the academy and to find in them the opportunity to instill confidence, hope and a future! How confirming to see staff, students and parents look with satisfaction on new hope that is placed within the educational environment! Staff have come to see their profession in a new light where the dreams of being valuable and influencing the lives of the youth with whom we work have become a little more of reality! May this journey continue for them as they continue to work here and instill the knowledge which is so important in life today. I am convinced more than ever that the balance needs to be kept between knowledge in the broader sense and knowledge of character in the narrower sense which finds its roots in the unchanging Word of God! It is here that the principles which guide a life of fulfillment are found and what a treasure to be able to deposit these foundational concepts in our students!
So, as we come to the last days, we bid adieux to those we leave in a physical sense - they will remain part of our lives as along as life lasts! But we are not finished, there is more to come, DV, and it is to that which we look as we leave. Where is God going to open another door of service? When he closes one, I believe He opens another for continuing service to the Kingdom of God.
Thank you all for joining us on this journey and we trust that it has been more than just informative, but has allowed you to grow and see that wherever you are, you can still be active and learning and being of serivce to God. Continue to invest in the things which outlast this life because there is a life to come!
David and Marian
Cyprus - Canada - Cyprus
Clicking on the image opens it in larger form.
Yes, that little bundle in the middle of the picture in the pink blanket is the reason Marian returned to Canada in March and is still there as of this writing. Ava Elisabeth Olivier arrived a little early but Jennifer and daughter are doing well under the watchful care of Grandma! Dad is learning to cope with interrupted sleep and the diaper routine so all seems well for getting things cared for!
I returned to Canada on March 30 to join the family for the Easter break of two weeks here in Cyprus. I have returned on April 13 to the warm, 20º C sunshine and blossoms which are almost overwhelming as you walk the streets - the citrus trees still have oranges and lemons hanging high on the trees and now the blossoms are out exuding their intoxicating perfume which I have to stop and enjoy! The olive trees are shwoing the small clusters of buds which will become this year's crop for oil and eating. Yet the old leaves are still on the trees!
It was good to see family, as always, but also to be at Bethel for Easter and to share in the celebration of our risen Lord. Today I learned that in Cyprus when you meet a believer for 40 days after Easter you greet them with “He is Risen” to which they respond, “Truly He is Risen indeed!” Hallelujah for the cross but more importanatly for the uniqueness of the resurrection. No other faith or religion can make such a claim as the historicly authenticated resurrection of Jesus Christ!
I took a walk to the monastery this late afternoon spending some time walking and then reading inpreparation for a course I will be teaching in September/October for Toronto Baptist Seminary on NT Survey. As I get my mind re-oriented to this course, I find it exciting to explore the wonderful revelation which God has given us in HIs Word. Classes will be held at the Carey offices in Guelph so students are welcome to sign up either for credit or audit (really inexpensive) and I think it is over 8 Saturdays. One thing I am contemplating is that there will be no test or exams in this course. I know the details of who wrote what book and when was it written are important but not nearly as important as coming to understand the ways in which our revelation is so consistently coherent.
I want students to write a paper per week with a longer one at the end. How would you write a paper on this topic:
Background: “Matthew 22:34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” ”
Write a paper of 3-5 pages on how all the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. Make sure to include Scripture references and note the word 'ALL' so make sure you answer that aspect of the question!
To me, the process which a student has to go through in answering that question will stay with them long after they have forgotten whether Mark was written before Matthew or after! Every time they read or thinkof those two commands they will rethink the way they answered that question in the paper for the course! By the way, if you want to try answering that question I will be happy to read it and give some comments - remember in auditing you do not receive a mark!
Marian returns to Cyprus on the 22nd and I will be happy to have her here with me again. Being separated is not good for long!
Blessings to all who read! There is a place below where you can click and then leave a comment if you wish!
David
All on a Sunday Afternoon . . .
Sunday we were invited to share the afternoon with one of the staff and their friends in the old village of Lazanias in the mountains about 45 minutes from our place in Lefkosia.
On the way, we were a little ahead of schedule so stopped in the village of Gourri which is also in the mountains, because I saw a nice church which needed some phtographic attention. Marian walked one way and I another, and soon she was walking down the stepped walkway (street) to lower and lower levels finding picturesque scenes at every turn and soon called for me to join her. This narrow street, never has seen the presence of vehicular traffic since it is built on the side of a mountain. But what a treasure to explore!
Marian saw a gentleman who was standing on the sidewalk and asked if lived there. He motioned since English was foreign to him in the down hill direction. As we stepped our way along ancient corridors of passage, we realized that we were mere footsteps away from the places people called home, and have for years. Around a few more corners and there was the man waiting for us and motioning us to come in.
What were we to do since we had an appointment in another village and we still had 10 minutes drive to go. We graciously accepted the signed invitation and entered through what can only be called a barn door- yes the sliding kind but of a much smaller scale than we would have in Ontario. Up some cobbled steps which showed the signs of countless feet over centuries of sojourn! On the right was the door to the stable which housed or had in the past, some beaast of toil - mule, horse or cow.
Straight ahead we saw what was the 'bathroom' - more properly understood as a toilet in an outhouse. Up a few treacherous steps and we were being invited into the home of this elderly gentleman. As we stepped through the low door which caused me to stoop over, we were driven back in time like stepping through the wardrobe in some C.S.Lewis fantasy! As our eyes adjusted to the light we realized that this was indeed home - we were standing in the bedroom which was located over the walkway through which we had just entered.
This was too precious to ask to take pictures - that would have been an intrusion into their private lives - but the smallish bed had a white layered canopy supported on a metal frame. On top of the ancient wardrobe was the spare bed - a bedroll for the grandchildren perhaps! A small table and a couple of chairs and many framed photographs made this palace a home for them.
The gentleman called to his wife, or perhaps his sister, we cannot tell since neither speak anything but Greek - which they did as if we were understanding every word. Through the door came this rather heavyset women with the biggest smile on her face inviting us to come into the room from which she had just come up the three or four steps. This may be a split level, but not of anything you can imagine. We are now over the stable, in the kitchen, washing room, and bedroom since over against the far wall was a single bed.
Food adorned the table, the bed and stove top - cakes, sweets, homemade semolina sweet, bread and pastries of uniquely Greek origin. We were given plates and asked to take whatever we wanted! Graciously we took some realizing that we were going to enjoy a dinner in a few minutes and still had some winding miles to travel. As we were ushered to the small veranda we sat under the leafless grape vine absorbing the warm sun rays as we heard the constant hum of bees enjoying the warm temperature to gather some nectar for this year's honey stores.
A picture, a glass of water and then a gestured indication that we had to go and would return.
Why such serendipities? Perhaps we were angels to them or they to us! Hospitality on a mountainside in a country where they refer officially to us as aliens. But God's people are everywhere and in one sense they did what we are called to do - give sacrifically without asking or seeking a reason - just give and allow God to give the blessing of knowing that we have shared with those we may never see again - such is the economy to which God calls us. I give here and they in turn give to someone else and on and on the giving goes, multiplied to those to whom God desires to show His goodness through our gentle acts of obedience.
As we climbed back up the stepped street, we were humbled to have been included so graciously and unquestioningly! Thank you Lord for this small lesson in giving!
On to Lazanias where we realized in a few moments that we had entered another historic village of only three permanent residents - two ladies 85 years old and one man 95. Our friends have a holiday home here that has been extensively renovated while still retaining the characterisitc traditional style. What a joy to share souvla with friends and to meet some new ones - from Poland a young tourist guide who is studying to be a lawyer, a young Cypriot who wants to study philosophy when he finishes his military term of two years, but he is hounded by the practicality of employment and wonders how to pursue such love of knowledge and yet have something saleable. Our conversation led him to ask me if God was able to create something which he could not undo. Fortunately I had heard this one before and so discussed with him the consequences of such a question and then our meal took us in different directions. Later in the afternoon as we were touring the local church he asked if I had an answer - why me Lord? I was able to share some insight and to continue the discussion.
Then off to the monastery to purchase some more olive oil - organic, natural extra virgin - and some beeswax candles which we use to light our evenings.
Lord, thankyou for the joy of friends and new discoveries! I am coming to understand why You went to the mountains! There the air is clear, you sense the smallness of your own humanity among the massives we call mountains! There the stoic hills stand guard as sentinels - motionless and moved only by the passage of time - it is there that You found solace for wounded spirits and sensed the closeness of the Father whose love you incarnated. You breathed the air of purity deep into lungs which had become parched with desert dryness and felt the salving healing of air made cold with the elevation! There you had no crowds to draw and demand your attention - just you and Father relaxing, refreshing, reorienting, recalibrating the needs to which you would have to minister in the coming hours. Thank you Father that you were there in the mountains today!
David
Below a picture of the couple with Marian, some street scenes on the stepped street, some flowers in bloom today as we traveled, wine pots which fascinate Marian in her new drawing habit, and a mixed scene of the tools, boots and gardening tools of the 95 year old man of the village. Enjoy!
Thoughts on a Sunday evening …
As we entered ‘our’ garden this afternoon, we heard the distant church bells tolling the faithful to come and worship! What a fond remembrance of the peaceful scenes now largely history in many parts of the Christian West. Yes, it is our garden but actually belongs to the nearby monastery which we frequent for some place to walk or merely meditate in the peaceful surroundings. It was good to see that the fruit has largely been picked from the citrus trees and the olives have long since been harvested. The new signs of spring are starting to etch themselves on the winter landscape as newly tilled spaces between the rows of olive and citrus trees keeps weeds and grass from encroaching on the fruitful season which lies in anticipation. Yes, the hedges are showing signs of growth after their brief period of winter dormancy in which many leaves fall leaving some trees barren while others retain them only to find that they are replaced with the emerging signs of new birth. Yes, our garden is showing signs of another season!
Marian and I part ways as she explores for the more subtle signs of rejuvenation and I find a place near the fountain just outside the monastery complex of buildings but within the garden enclosure.
As I sit and watch the fountains I come to realize the struggle which exists to present such beauty to those who would stop and behold. Each of fifty different fountains combine to make the man-made pond, blue with its tile, seem to welcome the observant passerby. Here each plume of water fights against the forces which would keep it earthbound in reaching toward some higher expression - each fount unique and changing with a myriad of forms as the water so soon released is brought back within the clutches of physics control. I am reminded that together the sound of rushing water drowns out the noise of nearby vehicles rushing to some destination while here is the place where peace envelopes the one who would sit and wait. Ever changing yet always the same - ever the same yet always changing - like God. Just when we think we have come to understand who God is, we are surprised that our definition does not fit, our grasp is only weakly able to hold a part of that which is infinite! God - ever the same yet always changing - ever changing yet always the same. How can we understand something which seeks to elude our human capacity to know, when we struggle to capture that which seems so close yet so far away?
As the thoughts echo through my mind, I reach for one of the books which I have brought for such a time as this - thoughts by Rabbi Russel Resnick, Messianic interpreter of things Biblical - and there I find that God has demonstrated Himself to be like the fountain which captures my attention in the fading afternoon light.
It is Exodus 6 where we read words of God’s self-revelation which confuse and confound our understanding - “I am Adonai. I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as El Shaddai, but by my name Adonai I did not make myself known to them.” Yes, El Shaddai, the Almighty One, the All sufficient One - that is how God was known to the fathers of our faith! But as Adonai, the I AM, he had not been known? Scripture would tell us differently because the text testifies to the fact that this disclosure was part of the Genesis account! So how can this be true? We need to look deeper, as so often is the tease which Scripture places before us - glance and pass on or linger and seek to find that which appears to be elusive. Like the fountain where a passing glance says, “I have seen the fountain” while an hour’s lingering says I only start to know what is pictured here as a corollary of life.
A closer examination of the text in Exodus and Genesis does confirm that the words I Am, Adonai were known to the patriarchs so how can the scribe of Exodus be so categorical, certain and conclusive about his perspective? Therein lies the mystery which we seek to unfold!
Yes, the words had been uttered, but the experience of the patriarchs was not God in action rather as God the discloser and provider of things needed - guidance, direction, confirmation. But it remained for the experiences of bondage, of slavery for His chosen people to not only hear but ‘see’ what it meant for Adonai to say I AM - I am now what I was and always will be…! For God to say that he would make Himself known as Adonai meant that they would now directly experience his nature and activity in a way heretofore unknown to the patriarchs; to know in a way which incorporated something or someone into one’s life in such a way that one’s own behaviour is changed - this is the new revelation of God in His name - Adonai!
What lay before the children of Israel was the experience of deliverance, of redemption through no effort of their own. This would be to experience God in a new and as yet undisclosed way captured in two verses in Chapter 6 of Exodus: “I am Adonai, I will bring you out from under the bondage of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. I will take you as my people and I will be your God. The you shall know that I am Adonai your God who brings you out from under the burden of the Egyptians.” I will bring you out … I will rescue you … I will redeem you … I will take you as my people!
Herein lies something which is at the heart of our soon to be celebrated Pascha, Passover, Easter … these four statements become the four cups of wine which make up the seder supper. He is the God who redeems, who visits us in our times of need and lifts us to a position of favour in his sight. When we experience, rather than just know about this redemption, we gain an insight into God’s revelation of Himself as Adonai - I AM! When we experience bondage and subsequent redemption, our knowledge of God becomes a little more complete - ever the same, yet ever changing.
Thank you Father for the glimpse into the fountain! And as the power behind those plumes of water ebbs away and the fountain becomes the stillness of calm water, we are reminded that without you the noise of this world intrudes into the peace, the shalom which you have come to give us in abundance. And, as the lights of the fountain dim to nothing, the extinguished light allows the darkness to encroach on our lives. How we need your power! How we need your Light! May you use us to be that light and power in this world where darkness and the noise of life crowd you out so often. Come, you are welcome!
Green or Clean Monday, and the Theology of Icons …
(Remember if you click on the pictures you will get a larger picture to see things in more detail)
As Monday dawned bright and clear here in the Eastern Mediterranean, we looked forward to our first Green or Clean Monday. We had been invited to visit the village of Nissou which is about half an hour from our flat just outside Nicosia along the motorway.
We followed the detailed directions and turned into a small street to see our host, Nanette (our curriculum consultant at the Academy who is married to a Cypriot), waving wildly to attract our attention. Besides Nanette and Christos there was a large friendly dog, tied up to keep his distance and two beautiful little twin girls aged 7 - Elia and Miriam.
Soon we were on our way to a local hilltop which gave us a splendid view of the countryside for miles in every direction! To the north the mountainous spine of Cyprus which runs along the northern shore stood in majestic grandeur. Apart, that is, from the political statement made by the Turkish Cypriot flag which is prominently displayed in white and red stones on the hillside. To the west the Troodos mountains where we have enjoyed some wonderful tours on weekends.
The hilltop was to be the municipality’s venue for this celebration. They had put out tables and chairs for hundreds and then were dispensing free beans and bread for any and all - provided by a local caterer. Some came to set up barbecues to broil octopus and that fragrance was borne by the breeze across the fields. Others were setting out for their picnic lunch the ‘greens’ that they had brought or picked in the field - no meat on this day!
Our hosts and one set of grandparents (both had only completed education to the third and fourth grades but had lived very productive lives) had come well prepared with cooked beets, cooked potatoes, raw artichoke, pickled vegetables, pickalili (a British mustard style pickle), terramosalata (guess what that might be), black, green and Kalamata olives, hummus, tahini, tomatoes, cucumbers, kohlrabi, halva, broad beans, lettuce greens, breads, cauliflower with a salad dressing of some sort, cooked beans. What a cornucopia of food leaving all with full stomachs as we leaned back and allowed the sun to warm our satiated bodies.
Then it was off to fly kites on the strengthening breeze leaving the sky polka-dotted with kites of all sorts.
I did some exploring of an ancient underground church and its more recent replacement. The former gives us a hint of the danger in pursuing faith so prevalent throughout history and the latter the beauty which comes from freedom to worship unrestricted.
A pleasant day was had by all!
Thursday evening Marian and I ventured to the nearby St. Nicholas Church where we entered the church hall to join perhaps 35 who shared an interest in knowing more about this ancient form of worship. When I juxtapose the educational level of those mentioned previously and the churches desire to make sure that their parishioners know the Scriptural stories, we see icons have a place. This is an art form which has two additional prior and continuing medium - mosaics being the earliest and later frescos. Although the time periods of each of these overlap somewhat, there is a chronology from fixed art to that which is portable. Father John reiterated what he had told me in person that his own grandmother could neither read nor write but understood the Gospel through the various icons.
The explanation demonstrated the differences between western perspectives on Biblical stories and that of the iconographers - such contrast would take up many pages and proved interesting to see and hear. Just one small example. The resurrection in western art is usually pictured as a triumphant Christ in some heroic manner whereas the iconic representation is Christ standing on the gates of Hell and lifting Adam and Eve (representative of humanity) from the grips of Hell. Surrounding the rescuing Christ are those to whom He preached while in the grave.
After a cup of cherry tea, a tour of the church’s unfinished art work allowed us to see the depth of meaning which is constantly before worshippers in this church. The unfinished sections speak to the great effort needed to do this artwork and the great costs associated with the artist whom they consider the best in Cyprus.
As we walked home in the cool night air, we were thankful for our heritage in faith and yet realize that ours is one of many expressions of the Christian truth centered on the person of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour!
Be thankful for your experiences and do not let jealousy creep in. We do have our challenges!
David
Carnival, Staff Appreciation and The Filipino Church …
As Canadians we are not all that involved in the celebrations surrounding Carnival. Certainly it makes the news but is usually seen as some festivity which is from other cultures. Well, we find ourselves again is just such a culture! So, in keeping with the proximity of Valentine’s Day and Carnival, the Primary School hosted a party which was attended by lots of costumed little folk. Some of the pictures give a hint of the fun that was had by all - except perhaps the principal who was dragged into dancing on stage with some of the little children! I do not like the spotlight at the best of times and particularly when it involves something like dancing about which I know so little!
Here I am with Rev. Jim Roussos, a member of the Council of the Academy.
I had planned on a staff luncheon for last Friday as a way to encourage the staff and to have a little fun together in the period of the year when things get a little slow because of the weather and the challenge of children who have started to have enough of school. So we met at a local Italian restaurant for a buffet lunch which I think all enjoyed.
One of the staff, George, our Bible teacher mentioned in passing a while ago, that he had never had a tie. So this became the reason for a special gift of a tie to George. I was later told that he did not even wear one to his wedding! After, he came to me and said, “Now sir, you need to get me a shirt that I can wear the tie with!” Perhaps at another function.
I had also purchased a couple of flash drives of memory sticks at a good price and was able to give both of them to people who really were glad to receive them.
This morning we managed to attend the Filipino Church here in Lefkosia. The pastor’s two daughters are attending the Academy and are good students. Recently the church which supports his mission efforts drastically cut back on his salary and so he came to the school thinking he would have to take the girls out of school in the middle of the year since he could no longer pay the fees. The Board graciously said to keep them in school and pay on the tuition as he was able. This is the kind of support I would love to give when such efforts as this ministry are threatened with undermining due to lack of funds. Lord, provide!
In our meeting he asked if I would come and speak and I said I would be happy to do so but would not want to do it the first time I attended. So Marian and I were there this morning and what a marvelous service! Almost completely made up of women - perhaps only 4 men there - due to the fact that these ladies are here to earn money as house keepers earning about $375 CDN per month most of which is wired back to the Philippines each month to support family there.
The church tries to give the ladies (25 - 45 years of age) a busy Sunday to keep them away from the temptations which are so prevalent for ‘single’ women here in Cyprus, even though many are married and have family in the Philippines. The service was a wonderful outpouring of praise and thankfulness for the faithfulness of God. There was some modest tambourine dancing at the front as you can see in the picture and then pastor Marcello preached admitting his nervousness of speaking in my presence!
After, there was lunch for all and then today they were off to the mountains to have some experience in the snow which has fallen on the Troodos in the last few weeks. Thankfully the snow will be captured in reservoirs when it melts in a few weeks so that the shortage of water is alleviated in God’s faithfulness. He is so good!
Well, that does it for this week and hopefully the cough will be gone before the next week is and then I will recover some of my strength and joie de vivre! It's been a long month!
Blessings to all!
David
Dishes, Death and Decoration!
As another week draws to a close, we are thankful for the opportunity to serve here in Cyprus! Yes, there are difficult challenges but God is faithful and we seem somehow to keep going even when mountains refuse to move.
Today was a dreary day in Nicosia, but we are not complaining since the day long rain is so needed. This has been a dry winter and the lack of water to fill reservoirs has implications for the hotter days of summer. The wind was from the north and I am told that this wind brings the needed rain.
Marian and I were downtown about mid-day and were surprised to see so few people on what is usually a very busy main street. Then we noticed that many of the shops were closed so we have to decipher what is cause and what is effect. But we did enjoy some lunch and then as we walked through a department store known as Debenhams, formerly Woolworths, we saw some interesting dishes which I like. Square plates, and bowls - I know that will change your definition of bowl, but that is life - what you thought you knew is being challenged all the time, isn’t it? The first display had a large sign saying 50% off - buy 6 for the price of 3. That was OK but just a few metres away was the open stock sold as singles which were 70% off making the individual plates and bowls cheaper than buying the package which we did not need in the first place - go figure!
On Tuesday I was coming out of the copy shop in the ground floor of our building and one of the cooks from the taverna across the road, which has the best pork chops, by the way, stopped me and asked if I had heard about what had happened to Christo. You see I met Christodolou some five months ago and we often had conversations over at the taverna while he enjoyed a drink. We often talked about the BIble and what he was reading. He often got up at 5 am and read several chapters from the Bible.
Just before leaving for Canada in late November, I went to say ‘Goodbye’ and asked him if there was a gift I could bring back from Canada. He asked for a complete Bible commentary which I brought back and gave to him. When I saw him a couple of weeks later I asked if he had time to read any of it and his reply will stay with me the rest of my life, “It is a very good book - very didactic!”
Christodolou is with the Lord He loved and served. In fact, his name means servant of Christ and he exhibited that in his life. It is with sadness that I reflect on our short friendship but thankful for even that.
Friday was a day of celebration as we honoured one of our students for his accomplishment in the Pancypriot Cross Country Run in Paphos last Friday. I am enclosing a few pictures to give you an idea of our student body at the secondary level, the runner, Nicholas and the presentations which I made to him. I also did a slide show of the pictures I took and put some music to it so that was as some said, “Very professional!” and, “I really like the music!” Good to hear that there are others who get tired of the common music of the day!
Next week is already starting to look busy with appointments which leaves little time for the necessary planning into which I am moving for next year. I am thankful for the help and support of one staff member who is very capable in these terms and so that is a big help! We are attempting to do some educationally unique things here in Cyprus and so hope that this will be attractive to those who learn of our school.
