Humanitarian Mission

 

This is us out walking early in the morning for exercise.  We go before the traffic gets crazy. 
We have been asked what a Humanitarian Missionary is.  We didn't know what they did when we put in our mission papers and did not check the box as one of our choices.  Who wants to learn new things when you feel like you are retired and ready to share your vast accumulation of knowledge?  

Each country and assignment has different responsibilities depending on what the needs are.  Not all Humanitarian missions are created equally.  We correspond with the Humanitarian missionaries we learned with in the MTC and our missions are different.  Our friends in Jordan have been involved in goats and bees.  Our friends in Zimbabwe have had school and water projects.  We are part of the Central Europe Office and most of the countries in our area are involved with the refugees.  We don't work directly with refugees but with the Non Government Organizations that are trying to meet the needs of the refugees.  

We belong to the Adriatic South Mission.  There are 5 countries in our mission: Kosovo, Macedonia, Greece, Cyprus and Albania where the mission home is located.  We have 3 main languages in our mission which are Albanian, Greek and English.  We did not study Greek before we came and are definitely found wanting.  Our mission leaders travel a lot.  

Last night we were in downtown Athens handing out cookies that had our Light the World invitations. 

Greek Cookies 

I don't remember what they were called but they are a solid ring that have cinnamon in them. The other kind was a biscotti with cranberries. They were very yummy.  We were mostly support while the young missionaries separated with bags filled with the cookies.  We have all had to leave our comfort zones as missionaries.  

As this year comes to an end, I am grateful that I have such a good companion.  I am grateful that visiting family online is so much easier than when my kids were missionaries.  I am grateful to be learning so much about the world and the way people meet challenges and make a difference for good. I am grateful to know more now than ever that Christ is the answer to our challenges and blessings.   I know that just being a good smiler to everyone contributes to world peace. 

Merry Christmas and May You Count Your Blessings