Cyprus

 

“I carry victims’ faces in my mind as I brush my teeth and rinse my mouth with water whose purity I take for granted. I feel jungle heat on my skin as I move through air-conditioned corridors. I remember what starvation looks like as I sit down to abundance three times a day.   Elder Alexander B. Morrison May 1987

We spent 4 days in Cyprus checking in on Humanitarian projects...some that we had current projects with and some that we needed to close.  Cyprus is an island country located south of the Anatolian Peninsula in the eastern Mediterranean sea.  They drive on the left side.  I was holding my breath every time we got in the rental to drive to a different part of the island.  Elder Christensen did an amazing job.  I was in awe and never want to try it.  He was able to get us everywhere we needed to go.  It has a very different feel from Athens even with Greek written and spoken everywhere.  They were putting up flags in preparation for Independence day.  That is the day that day Greeks celebrate the start of the War for Independence in 1821.

Stringing flags of Greece and Cyprus

The days were filled with meeting Non Government organizations that are trying to meet the needs of the displaced population in Cyprus.   We saw many Africans and Syrians.  It was amazing to see diversity everywhere.  

Our cute grandson

We have a lot of diversity in our family and I am so glad.  We learn so much from each other.  This little guy has brought much joy to all of us.  It is still a challenge for me to hear Greek and not understand so it gives me compassion for those refugees trying to make a better life for themselves in a foreign environment.  I love looking into their faces and wondering what their story is.  

Fort in Larnaca

10,000 years History

One of the world's 20 most Ancient Continuously Inhabited Cities for the last 4,000 years 

Inside Catholic Monastery where Lazarus was buried 

200,000 collected salt and pepper shakers museum ...but it was closed. 

The Salt Lake

We spent a morning watching for flamingos in the Salt Lake but they were too far away to see.  On our way to the airport, we went past this lake and I saw the flamingos up close as we whizzed by.  I was still happy.  I love flamingos. 

The beach in front of our hotel

Fun way to collect empty water bottles

Agapi Cyprus Refugee Food Support

I was so impressed by this woman from Burma.  She has a thrift shop that she sells clothes very cheaply and uses the money to buy food for the refugees.  This was a really nice gathering place that a young man owned and shared with people to come and relax. 

Fish and chips  So Delicious

An experimental farm that is organic, earth friendly for refugees to come plant a garden

Breakfast in Cyprus

We have found breakfast to be different in Greece from the states.  There is always tomatoes, cucumbers, cheese, all kinds of breads, beans, breakfast meats, eggs cooked every way you can think, potatoes, fruit, dates, figs, nuts, and of course the best Greek yogurt ever. 

Sun Hall Hotel Square

District Council

This is the boundary where Turkey meets Greece on Cyprus

You need a passport to go past the little white office and then you are in Turkey.  There is a set of sister missionaries that just started living in the north area ( Turkey).  They teach refugees most often.  The challenge is that the converts usually move on from Cyprus. I am not sure of the significance of this "sculpture".  It is different just like Cyprus.  We were grateful for the opportunity to see and learn more about the Humanitarian projects and NGO's on Cyprus.  There are many needs as the flow of refugees increases.  I feel a lot of compassion for those that have to figure out the best way to help and serve the displaced and still keep the economy and tourism afloat.  

Fishing...a big industry for Cyprus

My final take...I was very happy to get back on the metro in Athens.  I gave it a kiss, indiscreetly of course.   I am very grateful for Kim's excellent sense of direction and fearless approach to going where we have never gone before.  We have been here 7 months and flown to 7 different places.  I have learned more than I ever thought I would when we submitted our mission papers.  I am doing things I never could have seen.  I have met wonderful, kind, compassionate people from all over the world and I want to be like them when I grow up.  That being said, I am thinking that I am getting pretty old to be doing this stuff. You are as young as you feel is a popular saying and I have to keep reminding myself that I am in charge of what I think I can and can't do.  

"Tomorrow is also beyond our immediate control.  Tomorrow’s sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds, but it will rise.  Until it does, we have no stake in tomorrow, for it is yet unborn.  This leaves only one day: 

"Today."

Your fullest joy in life will not be found living it selfishly for yourself.  The periods of greatest joy and fulfillment are found in the moments and motivations, when we are choosing to give to others.”  -Dr. Denis Waitley