Hurricane Daniel

 Storm Daniel developed in Greece and was named by the Hellenic National Meteorological Service. [It] caused record-breaking rainfall in Greece on 5-6 September, with a reported 750 mm falling in 24 hours at a station in the village of Zagora. This is the equivalent of about 18 months of rainfall. In Thessaly, central Greece, many stations received 400 to 600 mm of rainfall in 24 hours. Thessaly is Greece’s agricultural heartland, and so the economic impacts are expected to be serious. 

Last week we went to Larissa and stayed for a few days to see how the conditions were and how the Church could help.  We were fortunate to be taken around by a doctor and Civil Servant for his Municipality.  He knew everyone since he grew up in Larissa and has lived there most of his life.  

Clinic in Larissa with doctor

Park that follows the River Pineios  overflowed

Garbage overflow because the roads are closed

Flooded Highway  

Transportation for Those Needed to Cross the Highway 

There were people who needed to get to work but the highway was closed except for the Army that would transport the people across the flooded area.  

Refugee Camp gates to Enter

We drove out to the harder hit areas where there is a lot of agriculture and livestock that were all lost to the flooding.  One of the biggest jobs was the cremation of the dead animals: cows, sheep, chickens, and pigs.  We could smell the decay from the camp.  The camp was empty because they sent the refugees to other camps so they could clean and fill the camp with villagers that had nowhere to go.  

Housing at the Camp

The units are like moving pods.  They have water heating solar panels.  There was a gym, places to get your hair cut, and visiting areas.  There were no trees and it was far from any city. 

Parking Lot of Camp Looking Out Over Flooded Fields 

The next day we went out to a warehouse to see how they were handling the flood situation in Karditsa, a village that had been hard hit.  We sat on chairs in the front of the warehouse while a front loader would go back and forth behind us while loading and unloading bottled water and supplies.  They were in the process of evaluating what their needs were and the sweet young woman in charge said that she was putting in long hours to understand what to organize.  Her phone rang constantly.  She was so grateful that we had just showed up to see how things were going.  She called and made reservations at a cafe in the village and had a government official take us for a meal. 

Greek Cooking

When we arrived at the café, happy to have found a parking space a block or two away, there were few people.  When we finished our meal, our discussion and just relaxing which can take a long time, the place was full.  Our host ordered a salad that consisted of beets, boiled zucchini, and greens with lemon.  We had fresh sardines on tomatoes, fried zucchini with a garlic dip, grilled potatoes, bread, and a mixed variety of grilled meat with fries.  There are always fries.  It was very delicious and we barely made a dent.  I felt quite sad that he was not going to take leftovers home but he assured us that the cats would be fed.

We ate several delicious meals while in Larissa.  One was pizza with fries on it.  We enjoyed seeing all the bikes and scooters being used.  The sidewalks were wide for pedestrians but you never knew when a scooter was coming up behind you.  Our hotel looked down on one of the sidewalks and on an ancient amphitheater.   

 

Divani Palace hotel and  Ancient Theatre of Larissa

Now is the time we can bless others and 'lift up the hands which hang down'"  ..President Russell M. Nelson.      I am grateful for the people of Greece.  I have found them a happy, animated and giving people.  It has been such a blessing for me to see compassion in action as the Greek people assist one another.  

Partner Appreciation Evening

 We were asked to organize what is called a Partner Appreciation event for all of the NGO's that we work with in Greece.  We were grateful that Italy had done a similar event and we could use their experiences to help us in providing a gathering where the Non Government Organizations could visit and exchange ideas, etc.  Collaborate.  It was  about collaborating and taking time to express gratitude for all the things they are doing to help the refugees and displaced.  

We were not aware that everyone leaves Athens except the tourists in July and August.  We had record breaking heat combined with humidity during July.  I have never never never been so hot.   I have experienced hot in California and Vegas but never mixed with humidity.  I am grateful to have that behind us.  I know why they all leave and go to the islands where it is cooler.  So the timing of the evening was a bit of a challenge since many were out of the office.  It was suggested that we hand deliver the invites so we spent a few afternoons walking in the downtown to give these really nice invites that Kim had printed and no one was around to receive and admire.  Fortunately, there is email and we were grateful for the response.  

We were able to have bags made from Ankaa.  They teach classes in sewing and make really cool bags and back packs from the raft materials that the refugees travel in and leave on the beach and other materials.  We gave them as thank you gifts filled with a 2022 Caring for Others pamphlet showing where the Church has projects around the world, some chutney made by Saffron Kitchens that hire refugees to work with them in catering food, and honey that we bought from a bee keeper that sells honey at the Litke ( outdoor market).  He showed us pictures of his hives.  We were very happy to buy lots of honey from him.  

Patchwork Pocket Bags

Tomato and Onion Chutney

Saffron Kitchen with salmon pinwheels, homemade tortilla chips with dip, egg salad rolls, meatballs with chutney and brownies.  They were delicious. 

Our Mission Leaders came from Bulgaria to represent the church and tell about the tithing and fast offerings that are given by the members of the church to help others around the world.  He connected our young missionaries with the service they do as part of their mission.  We have been known as LDS Charities and truthfully, many of the organizations did not know what LDS stood for and it was an opportunity to talk about our church.  

Our wonderful NGOs

2022 Annual Report of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Jesus Christ is the perfect example of caring for those in need.  As His followers, we seek to love God and our neighbors throughout the world....We gratefully acknowledge the selfless service and donation of time, funds, and other resources by Church members and friends as we collectively care for others. As we continue to love and strengthen one another through service, we invite all to join us in this important work. 

 Russell M. Nelson, Dallin Oakes, and Henry Eyring 

We were glad that everything turned out and we always love being with our partners.  They are such good people from all over the world working to help others.  We truly enjoyed having an evening with them all under one roof...our roof.  😊

Summertime

 

Parrot Outside on our Balcony

It is holiday time in Greece.  It is so quiet in our neighborhood.   It is the Dormition of the Mother of God/ Virgin Mary.  Greeks make a pilgrimage to the islands and with family to celebrate.  The islands have their own unique kinds of celebrations around food, drink and dance.  The stores close and it seems most of our neighbors have left for the week.  I am a little concerned about the parrot in the picture because one of our neighboring apartment buildings has parakeets and parrots.  I can hear them as I hang my clothes on the line because they keep them in caged areas behind the apartment.  

Our Relief Society organized a bus trip to Nafplio for the holiday.   

Waiting for the bus 

We stopped at Tolo beach, a small resort town near Nafplio and swam for several hours.   

The water was warm and it was a perfect day to be swimming. 

We got back on the bus to Nafplio where we took a short boat ride out to Bourtzi Castle.

Bourtzi was built to protect the harbor from pirates and invaders.  Then in 1473, it became a house for the executioners of the Palamidi castle prisoners.  Palamidi fortress was built by the Venetians in 1714. There are 913 steps leading from town to the fortress. 

Palamidi Castle up on the Hill

 Bourtzi became the residence of 2 governments in 1824 and 1827 and then a luxury hotel from 1930 to 1970.  Now it is a tourist attraction after renovations.  We got there the week of the opening after 5 years of being closed. 

 As we were coming back to Nafplio on the boat, I was watching a young family on the parking area with a little boy and a baby in a stroller.  The stroller had it's bonnet pulled up over the stroller and it caught wind.  The parents were focused on the little boy and didn't noticed the stroller quickly being carried backwards to the edge of the cement. 

 I screamed as the stroller dropped off platform and landed in the water with the baby.   The father turned, ran to the water and jumped in as the stroller started to sink.  It startled everyone on the boat as I assume no one else had seen what was happening from the boat.  As soon as the boat docked, people rushed to help.  It was so heart warming to see so many to the rescue.  The only thing lost appeared to be the diaper bag.  The baby was alright. 

The drive from Athens was about 2 hours through orange, lemon, peach, apricot, olives, almonds and grape orchards.  I was fascinated at all the agriculture and groves of trees and grapes.  It was a great opportunity to get to know the sisters in our branch better.  It was also a reminder of how beautiful Greece can be when you get out into the country side.  

We ended the tour seeing the Corinth Canal that connects the Gulf of Corinth in the Ionian Sea with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea.  

Corinth Canal 

It was a great day to be with our RS sisters and their non member friends.  The young missionaries had 2 contacts to follow up on while walking through the town.  That's a pretty good day in the life of missionaries!  

We continue to learn about new Non Profit organizations helping the refugees.  We went to see a mobile laundry van that parks in the same square each week to do laundry for the displaced.  They bring their clothes, and come back later to get the clean clothes. 

Ithaca Laundry
Other organizations have piggy backed onto this one with food and legal help at the square.  There was an 8 year old boy that brought his family's laundry in a cart.  He has done it all summer while out of school.  

I have had a hard time dealing with the humid heat.  Sweat drips down my back and face when we are outside.  We have found it a challenge to be productive but we are getting the work done and preparing for a Partner Appreciation evening.  I am grateful we have only one summer in Greece.  I am also grateful to be a missionary and to keep trying to do things outside of my comfort zone.  Kim has been  diligent with studying the language each day.  I am trying to be diligent in smiling.  There are perks to having a great companion. 

A Day in the Life of Senior Missionaries

 I am deciding that a blog is work.  I have not really wanted to write but I am anyway.  

On Kim's 70th birthday, he got up and went running.  I, on the other hand figured it was his birthday so I slept in.    He came back early and said he could barely walk.  He had pulled something on the back of his leg.  He was in pain.   Plans to celebrate his birthday were cancelled and instead he got an appointment with a physical therapist.  We were grounded for two weeks as he took care of his injury.  It was so hard.  Every day was a Let Me Out day.  It was Ground Hog Day for two weeks. 

Old Friends Sat on the Park bench Like Bookends

Can you imagine us years from today
Sharing a park bench quietly?
How terribly strange to be 70

Then our German Office people came to spend the week with us to meet our NGO's and talk about the projects.  Hurray.  Kim's leg was better and we went on a one day cruise to three islands.  It was the beginning of a heat wave here in Athens and we would sweat and walk.  We drank a lot of water.  I have never drunk so much water.  We had appointments in the middle of the day.  We would ride the metro and then walk.  I didn't die.  It wasn't so bad after all.  It was a blessing after so many days of sitting in front of the computer trying to be productive. 

Exploring Athens with our Europe Central Office Couple

Aegina Island 

Dancing on the Cruise

On Saturday, we attended our first baptism in the Athens building  since we have been here .  Hannah is the daughter of one of our American families.  It was a wonderful event.  That evening we had  Institute and then Game Night.  

Bulgaria/ Greece Mission Leaders:  Our new mission president, wife and daughter came to our apartment for dinner after church with the Assistants to the President.    It was a great opportunity to get to know them better.  Then we drove them all to the airport.  

New Mission Leaders

We had one last preparation day before transfers so we had Christmas in July for our activity. 

 We picked a name, bought gifts for them and wrapped them in very creative ways. Then we wrote notes to them and talked about our favorite Christmas traditions.  The next day,  we were busy taking people and picking up people from the airport for transfers.  It is always hard to say goodbye when you have just settled in as a group.  

Christmas in July...look at those happy faces

Today we had appointments with NGOs downtown.  It is still a heat wave but knowing that I had already done heat and walking, I bravely made my way to the metro.  We had three appointments in three different metro areas.  The bus took too long at one place so we walked and got there 10 minutes late and sweaty.  

One place we went was the center that the refugees register in Greece.   It was pretty amazing  to see people from many countries sitting patiently in the hot summer day, waiting their turn to speak with someone.  We met about 20 interpreters from places and languages I have never heard of.  I need to study my geography!  We were grateful for the opportunity to see the beginning of applying for asylum that we have heard about since arriving.   

Kid's Center while parents are filling out papers

July has been a mixed bag of events.  Slow then busy.  I like busy much more than slow.  I like Greece's winter more than summer.  I like being a missionary more days now than not.  It may seem really cool to be in such an amazing place and I know we are so blessed and that the Lord loves effort.  That doesn't mean it will be easy.  I have given up on learning Greek but Kim is working so hard to study each day.  One last thing.  The Greek women dye their hair.  You will see very few white haired ladies.  They love color on their head and on their nails.  There is no shortage of nail salons, hair salons,  bakeries with gelato, cafes, and pigeons.  Life is good.  

Nightlife in the Hood

View from our apartment balcony

I have been very surprised by the night life in our quiet neighborhood.  

It all began with the last week of school.  We didn't know it was the last week of school but it became obvious when everyone stopped coming to school at 8:15 each morning and all the announcements on the outdoor intercom were no more. 

The last week there were programs every night.  The first evening it was raining.  Everyone stood around in the late afternoon visiting under umbrellas.  It was probably cut short because of the rain. The next night, there was a live band, food and dancing until almost midnight.  The final evening of celebrations, there were balloons let off, a talent show, students playing electric guitars, dancing, singing,  presentations and fireworks. It lasted until midnight.  The most interesting feature is the sound system.  It was very good.  You could hear everything very clearly.

Fireworks in the Evenings

Last night while taking our garbage to the bins at the end of the street, I saw that there were many children and their parents at the school being entertained by a couple that were making huge bubbles and doing tricks with them.  I walked further to the glass recycle bin and went past a small outdoor café where a group of men were seated around a table with guitars and other instruments that I don't know the name of and they were singing as others sat at their tables drinking and eating.  It was lovely.  They have had movies outdoors at the school that start at 9 p.m.  Athens comes alive at night time.  Even for the little kiddies. 

Here are a few more interesting observations from our neighborhood.

Trees pruned in the Fall...how will they look in Spring

Just right for our narrow sidewalk.

Construction on the Top Floor

Our apartment building

They have been working on the floor above it.  They jack hammered the floor and sent the debris down the chutes into a garbage bin and then hauled the bin off.  It was not easy to move a big truck around on our narrow road.  It provided great entertainment.  

Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3).

I have been so impressed with the all the families I see walking, biking, and eating together.  Every night, families gather at the school.  While the parents visit, the kids are playing soccer, volleyball, basketball, roller blading, biking, and tonight I saw hover boards.  The Greeks have so many things right.  Now, if they would just get a Costco.  

Love Without Borders and Natalie

 Once upon a time, our daughter in law Natalie, called and asked if we would help her find non profits that worked with children in Athens.  Her MPA group was coming to Greece in May and she wanted to make STEM kits for the refugee children.  It was some  time in November that we began to work on her idea and then suddenly it was May and she was here and we were meeting her at the community center for Love Without Borders.  This organization is run by a stewardess that flies around the world and takes paintings that the refugees have created and sells them.  In turn, she gives the money from the sale back to the refugee.  

We have gone to the Center for similar activities when refugee children have painted.  Art is a great communicator both for the creator and the viewer.  There were several stories posted next to the paintings to introduce the artist.  Many were heartbreaking as they explain their journey to go to somewhere and live without fear or violence.  

We got to doing some touring with Natalie's group afterwards and we decided guides are very helpful and help us appreciate what we are seeing more.  

The guide explaining Aristotle's Gymnasium 

Tylixto is a great place for yummy gyros ( you don't say the g) 

The Prison of Socrates

We were able to spend a day with Natalie and took her to a few places in Athens.  We showed her our apartment and she did laundry and left a sock unfortunately.  I think we have quite a few of Ty and Nat's family one sock forgotten here, in various places.  Someone should come up with a great idea to eliminate that frustration. 

Super Salad

A salad with variations at many of the places we have eaten at is this salad with pomegranate seeds, hazel nuts, various greens and goat cheese.  It is so so good.  

A Little Taste of Home restaurant

We ate dinner with Natalie's group downtown near the Agoras.  It was delicious with lamb, curry chicken, ravioli with truffles, and barbecue ribs.  

There You Go

This is an English Certification class for those wanting to get work.  It helps to have English proficiency.  One of the students fell asleep for short time.  He fishes during the day for work.  He was very tired.  It tugs at your heart to see what they have to go through to integrate into the country. 

Between the Platform

We went to showing of the documentary "To Whom it May Concern" .  It is about the refugee situation and the challenges they are facing.  I knew it would be depressing and it was. I would like one person to be in charge and unify all the ways to help refugees so it was consistent in all the countries if I ruled the world.  So many are lost at sea trying to get to other countries.  It is heartbreaking.  To get to the showing, we rode the bus and then everyone got off at one stop and the driver called to us so we needed to get off too.  We were happy to find the metro, and then to take another bus to get to the showing.  It was a true adventure. 

In my scripture study in John 13:34 it says:  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  35: By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.  

In my notes I summarized these verses by writing: We are Christ's disciples when we show love to others.  We will be happy when we serve others.  

I am grateful that we have this opportunity to find ways to serve those in Greece that are displaced, vulnerable, and in need.  We are not at the front line like some may think.  We work with Non Profit organizations.  We do paper work and filing.  We do meet wonderful compassionate people that are focused on helping others and try to support them with projects.  It is not what I thought it would be like and I have had several people make comments that they want to do what we do when they hear we are Humanitarian missionaries.  I smile and think that hopefully they will be able to serve and do those things that they think we do.  We are all a spoke in the wheel that moves the work forward.  I am grateful to be in Greece and learning things I never envisioned when I put those missionary application papers in.  You are right Robin.  I will never be the same.