Lindsey and I are having quite a time getting used to the Greek culture! It is made easier on us due to the fact that we are living in a beautiful apartment with American missionaries, the Morleys. Their hospitality and openness makes it easier for Lindsey and I to ask questions. It's okay to be unsure, just ask! The view from their apartment is beautiful-- there are white buildings everywhere, a beautiful cemetery outside our balcony, and these huge hills surrounding us on one side. And in Athens, no matter where you are, you are never far from the sea!
One of the things that is difficult to remember here is that humans never have the right of way. The streets are so crowded (everything is kind of crowded!) that motorcycles often drive between traffic and on the sidewalk, cars just zoom wherever they have room... and they do not like to stop for you! Quite a contrast to Orange City. This morning, we went for a jog and a garbage truck stopped an waited for us to cross the street! I was so surprised that I waved to say thanks. Whoops! Putting your hand in the air, like we would do for #5 or waving, is very offensive in Greece. Doing that with an extended arm is even worse... Luckily, according to the Morleys, the Greeks are used to Americans.
There is a Greek habit here. They will do a frown-like face and wave their hand near their head as if to say, "yeah, this is Greece, it doesn't matter." In stories, Kent and Myrna will sometimes say, "This is Greece," meaning take it as it is. It's hard to explain!
Our first day here, our mission was to avoid jet lag, so the Morleys let us settle in then took us to the sea to snorkel! After figuring it out, it was actually enjoyable and relaxing! However, Greek beach-goers are not very modest, and that's all I'll say on that matter! That day Linds and I were able to take a walk on our own through Ellikinos (the neighborhood). We heard music, and of course were drawn to it. We walked into a gathering of the Syriza political group! If you are keeping up with the Greek economic worries, Syriza (KKE) is the far left political party. There is another party, the Golden Dawn, that is quite violent and is often described in the news as "neo-Nazi"-- they are the far right. There are many parties in between that I am slowly learning about. No one knows what the turn out of this coming weekend's election will be, but keep this in your prayers!
We haven't done a lot with the Athens Refugee Center (ARC). Actually, we came on their weekend (they work on Saturdays, so Sunday and Monday are the weekend for ARC workers), so we have been acquainting ourselves with the area. This afternoon we'll leave for a refugee family camp. The ARC teams up with some other refugee organizations to put this on. Many people say that the camp weeks are the highlight of the year. It will be nice to get to know some refugees (and to begin learning how to communicate despite the various language barriers) before we join the busyness of the tea house!
Thank you for your prayers. Here are a couple of new prayer requests--think of these as your way of joining the ministry here through Lindsey and I.
- Patience and discernment with the refugees at camp
- Spiritual growth
- The Greek government and upcoming elections
Much "agapo,"
Charissa
One of the things that is difficult to remember here is that humans never have the right of way. The streets are so crowded (everything is kind of crowded!) that motorcycles often drive between traffic and on the sidewalk, cars just zoom wherever they have room... and they do not like to stop for you! Quite a contrast to Orange City. This morning, we went for a jog and a garbage truck stopped an waited for us to cross the street! I was so surprised that I waved to say thanks. Whoops! Putting your hand in the air, like we would do for #5 or waving, is very offensive in Greece. Doing that with an extended arm is even worse... Luckily, according to the Morleys, the Greeks are used to Americans.
There is a Greek habit here. They will do a frown-like face and wave their hand near their head as if to say, "yeah, this is Greece, it doesn't matter." In stories, Kent and Myrna will sometimes say, "This is Greece," meaning take it as it is. It's hard to explain!
Our first day here, our mission was to avoid jet lag, so the Morleys let us settle in then took us to the sea to snorkel! After figuring it out, it was actually enjoyable and relaxing! However, Greek beach-goers are not very modest, and that's all I'll say on that matter! That day Linds and I were able to take a walk on our own through Ellikinos (the neighborhood). We heard music, and of course were drawn to it. We walked into a gathering of the Syriza political group! If you are keeping up with the Greek economic worries, Syriza (KKE) is the far left political party. There is another party, the Golden Dawn, that is quite violent and is often described in the news as "neo-Nazi"-- they are the far right. There are many parties in between that I am slowly learning about. No one knows what the turn out of this coming weekend's election will be, but keep this in your prayers!
We haven't done a lot with the Athens Refugee Center (ARC). Actually, we came on their weekend (they work on Saturdays, so Sunday and Monday are the weekend for ARC workers), so we have been acquainting ourselves with the area. This afternoon we'll leave for a refugee family camp. The ARC teams up with some other refugee organizations to put this on. Many people say that the camp weeks are the highlight of the year. It will be nice to get to know some refugees (and to begin learning how to communicate despite the various language barriers) before we join the busyness of the tea house!
Thank you for your prayers. Here are a couple of new prayer requests--think of these as your way of joining the ministry here through Lindsey and I.
- Patience and discernment with the refugees at camp
- Spiritual growth
- The Greek government and upcoming elections
Much "agapo,"
Charissa
Hi Charissa,
ReplyDeleteThanks for blogging your adventures & prayer requests. We'll be thinking of you as you serve the Lord.
Karen & Paul Norton