What is an NGO?

 Intersos is a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) that assists victims of natural disasters and armed conflict.  

Intersos and MdM ( Medicine du Monde) 

I couldn't find what Intersos stands for but we visited them the first week we were here and again today.  The head administrator is a doctor and just returned from a month in Ukraine.  It was so interesting to listen to his experiences.  He said his visit was good and bad.  It was good because he saw the strength of the people and the love they had for their country.  The bad, because he saw mothers and wives say good-bye to their husbands and sons.  As Humanitarian Specialist for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints ( those titles just get longer and longer) we were able to get support for their food distribution to refugees in Athens.  

It was very interesting to sit between appointments and see the flow of different cultures and people go past us in the park. 

If you look past the two men walking, there is a father holding his daughter.  It was so nice to see him scoop up the beautiful young girl as she ran to greet him.  It was very heart warming.  It just reminded me how we all need that love of family and friends. 

This is the Victoria station.  We have a lot of NGO offices and refugees that live near here. 

These strollers are in front of Amurtel. ( Ananda Marga Universal Relief team, Ladies).They are an NGO that helps expecting mothers and new mothers with the care of their baby or toddler.  

There were people outside eating in cafes and drinking everywhere.  I'm thinking winter is over.  I think it lasted 2 weeks.  I can deal with that. 

Retail Shops

I enjoy walking downtown Athens because it is so interesting.  The shops are on the first floor of many apartment buildings.  People live in the busiest places and there is usually a store underneath them.  You don't have to go far in our neighborhood to find a tailor, dry cleaning, bakery, butcher, mini market and barber.  

Open Markets

On every street are stores that sell produce.  There was a distinct Indian presence in the neighborhoods that we walked today.  I don't know what a lot of the vegetables are.  

Ankka

Ankaa was the last place we visited.  These bags are made from the rafts left by the refugees when they arrive on the islands. They teach a tailoring and sewing class so that the refugees can get a job working at a factory or shop.  Latter Day Saint Charities has purchased industrial sewing machines. 

I am posting this so that you know we are not on vacation. 😎

Additionally to all the hard work we are doing, we are studying Greek.  That's no picnic.  

New Normal

This is our new normal.  "How can we determine what will be the normal things in our life and in our family?  In the scriptures we find a great model: in Mosiah 5:15 it says, "I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works." (From "Let Doing Good Be Our Normal by Elder Pino).  A very brilliant end to my day was on the metro as we rode home and I heard a young boy say, 

"Signomi, μαμά" and I thought, hey...I know what he is saying...Sorry, Mama!

Valentine's Day

 Life is different when you are a Missionary.   I love to decorate the house for Valentine's day and think of something fun to do, make or go experience.  Really, my favorite part is making valentines.  None of that happened this year.  No decorations.  No dinner.  No dancing. We did eat chocolate.  That is probably a very important part of keeping up the status quo.  Just saying. It was okay because we are in Greece, right? When we were in Rome, we were told that we shouldn't make our blog a travel log.  It sounds a lot like the advice we get on testimony meetings.  So good luck to me. 

Hadrian's Library

We visited some of the ancient Greece sites that you see as you make your way to the Acropolis. I took this picture because it reminded me of how important cornerstones are to an arch.  We visited the Roman Agora that was built around 27-17 BC.  The Agora is a central public space and the center of athletic, artistic, business, social, spiritual and political life in the city.  

We are sporting hats that we bought.  Our heads thank us.  It is so amazing to be in a place that is so ancient.  

$5 Haircut

We had the fun experience of going to a different part of Athens where some of our missionaries have gone to get haircuts.  It was fun to watch her cut a young Greek's haircut according to his specifications and he knew what he wanted.  Elder Christensen was happy to tip her because she is saving her money to go to the Philippines to visit her mother for her 80th birthday. 

District Council

Transfers and video making increased our numbers.  It was a good meeting where we discussed attributes that we would like to develop in our lives.  I wasn't sure where I wanted to go with that but when I considered the three I would like to have as I try to be more Christ like, I was surprised at the ones I wrote down.  Probably because I don't usually take the time to consider that question. 

 We always feel a little sad at transfer time because we miss these great missionaries when they go somewhere else.  The good part is that we get new great missionaries to serve with.  I have told the missionaries that I post their pictures on my blog but we have gotten newbies so hopefully either they will never see the blog and Elder Garrick that says he reads my blog, will check out if there is a problem.   Just checking Elder Garrick.  

Elder Bednar said in a talk 2012 Ensign:  The enabling power of the Atonement of Christ strengthens us to do things we could never do on our own.   This is an important reminder for these young and senior missionaries because it is a hard thing to find people that will listen to their message.  I am grateful for missionaries that work through hard things and just keep trying each day to make the world a better place.   

We walk on this dirt path to the church.  Today we heard many bees buzzing!

These are almond trees along the path...can you see the old almonds? 

We walk past a lot of nurseries.  They are filling up with FLOWERS! Spring is around the corner.  It is still light at 6 p.m. Hurrah for seasons and change. 

Elder Bednar said: ...not to resist change. 

Embrace it. Learn from it. The essence of our mortal experience is to not remain the same. 

When the Moon Hits Your Eye!

Central Europe Office and Missionary Conference Feb. 2023

We had the opportunity to learn and be motivated by presentations, workshops and activities in Rome, Italy.  Everything was organized and planned by the office in Frankfurt, Germany.  They did a fantastic job of feeding us spiritually and physically.  We did a lot of walking, eating and learning from the other Humanitarian missionaries from Moldova, Spain, Hungary, Romania, Albania, Armenia, Montenegro, Italy, Serbia, Slovakia, Georgia and Macedonia.  

Rome, Italy

Who doesn't love a full moon?  This is a lovely night in Rome where we ate on a river boat.  Dinner came in several courses.  I think the planners of our Central Europe Office and Missionary Conference were afraid we might go hungry.  

The day that we went to the Rome temple, we were served delicious Syrian food in the Stake Center located to the side of the temple. 

Hummus Town

Since 2018, they have provided about 100 free meals per month (sometimes twice a month) to the homeless, migrants, and refugees in Rome.

Hummustown is a cooperative run and managed by its members. Its mission statement upon inception was to provide a decent income-generating income for the influx of Syrian refugees seeking asylum in Italy. It is a non profit organization, where profit, if and when it is generated, is reinvested in the running of the cooperative.

Rome Temple Trip 

Painting of the Rome temple in the Visitor's Center

Stain Glass Panels done by Tom Holdman and it shows every parable of Christ

Visitor's Center lit up at night...love the moon shining above!

Group picture...always fun to organize!  

I love that there is always water representing the living waters of Christ and his teachings

The opportunity to go to the temple was the highlight of being in Rome.  It is wonderful that Rome has a Latter Day Saint temple among all the cathedrals and grand religious edifices.  There's no place like home and the temple is home to me.  We were so happy to take Kim's family names and serve as proxy for them.  I am grateful that temples dot the earth and we were able to spend the day serving our family. 

Model of the interior of the temple

I never get tired of seeing the Christus and the reminder of the nail prints in the resurrected Savior!

Arch of Titus: Rome conquering Jerusalem 

I found it so interesting to see the scattering of Israel and think of now as we are trying to gather Israel.  It was so evident in the stories and experiences of all the missionaries that God is moving his work forward!

Classes 

We spent one entire day in the lower level of our hotel that was conveniently located in downtown Rome.  We never saw daylight.  The next morning began the same but in the afternoon we were able to tour many of the sites of Rome.  I appreciated the reminder by President Nelson that as we gain knowledge and experience, we will be able to more fully help others.  I have often wondered how I ever got put here in Greece with the skills that I have but I know I am being filled with amazing experiences.  There is so much more I know about the refugee movement throughout the world and the need for compassion and service to the displaced and vulnerable.  

The Pieta by Michelangelo

It was far away but still was so beautiful and moving.  This was in St. Peter's Basilica which was very impressive and full of reminders of Christ. 

St. Peter's Basilica 

Newly Arrived Missionaries for Italy

When we arrived in the Rome airport, we were able to see the mission leaders waiting for their new missionaries to arrive.  Later that night, we saw the new missionaries posing on the Spanish Steps.  I know how they feel.  The next day, we saw young missionaries again.  It was a group of sisters, eating gelato on their last day in Rome.  They seemed excited to be going home.  I have learned so much from our young missionaries.  They are a great blessing to Greece even though Greece doesn't know it.  

Trevi Fountain

This was my favorite after the temple.  There are many sights and sounds that are distinctive to Rome.  I was grateful that we had this opportunity to see a culture unique to Italy.  I love fountains and they remind me of Christ and how he is the living water...the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. 

We appreciate the opportunities that have been given to us to prayerfully consider those that we can help.  Yesterday we spent the afternoon with Catholic Relief Services. We talked about the rising influx of refugees staying in Greece and how to help them integrate.  They offer classes in Greek for the parents, tutor the students that attend Greek schools after school and provide opportunities for them to have activities with other refugee children. 

Catholic Relief Services

It is amazing to work with so many generous and compassionate organizations that want to help the populace of Greece.  We were at Monistriki Square afterwards and saw a group handing out food and coats.  It was a snowy, rainy and cold day and warmed our hearts as we watched.