New Shoes

When you get new shoes, it generally goes something like this: you find a pair that seems interesting to you, maybe try them on, learn about them. After buying and wearing the shoes you may be excited about them- people notice them, you look cool, and it's always refreshing to show some love to your feet. However, after a while the shoes may start giving you blisters or wearing down. The new-ness fades and the shoes become just another pair, no longer classified as your "new" shoes. But still, most favorite shoes look worn and may be past their prime. They've been donned many times and have been many places and have withstood the things that we don't want our feet to touch. Have you been grateful for your shoes lately? (I have... I've stepped in some non-water puddles, if you know what I mean.)

I have been in Greece for almost three weeks now. My time here is almost half finished. This "shoe's" new-ness is starting to fade as I get the feel for the routine. On Tuesday, Lindsey and I finished discovering the daily routine at the ARC. We have experienced the Thursday shower day, Saturday tea day, and Tuesday meal day. Up until this week, everything has been novel to me. 

Please pray for Lindsey and I as the work here begins to wear on us more without the protection of everything being new and exciting. I am not saying that I don't like the work-- no, I really enjoy it. But it takes a lot of energy to entertain and translating (or finding a translator). I hope you do not view this as complaining, because it isn't. As I learn more about the cultures, about the things that happen behind-the-scenes, about some of the stresses that the Helping Hands staff faces almost constantly... I learn more about listening to God and being a servant. A hard lesson, but a good one. And I'm pretty sure this will turn out to be a favorite pair of shoes, if you know what I mean. 

In Philippians, Paul writes about his persecution, saying that he knows he will be delivered through the prayers of fellow believers and the help of the spirit of Jesus. Join me in praying for Christians who are being persecuted. Many of the refugees who are Christians or are even seeking to know more about Christ are being persecuted. Some are just threats, some are threats that could possibly turn into realities, but they all hurt. Even children are whispering things to believers their ages. Pray for strength in these situations and pray for protection against evil. Pray for "sufficient courage so that now, as always, Christ will be exalted." (Ph. 1:20). 

On a lighter note, Lindsey and I were able to join some friends ("the Harding Interns") for a journey through the Plaka yesterday. It's a touristy part of Athens that has a flea market and some great restaurants. Being able to walk around, laugh, and get to know people better was a relaxing way to spend the afternoon. (By the way, European women must have smaller feet than American women because I can find a nice variety of shoes in my size here!) While we're at work, we don't get to see much of the Greek culture, so Lindsey and I try to get into the city every now and then. We've been able to visit the Akropoli Museum and will be visiting Corinth with a couple of our teammates on Monday, which will be an adventure of its own!

Here's to all the adventures!

This is... Greece?

Lindsey and I just finished our first week with the refugees. We worked at a refugee camp that is put on by the three main refugee ministries here (Oasis, Hellenic Ministries, and Helping Hands-which we are working with). Overall, the week was absolutely exhausting, comical, interesting and confusing, and rewarding. I was able to spend time with a lot of children, getting to know their personalities despite the fact that I couldn't understand what they were saying. The staff we worked with was also very hard-working, good-natured, and fun to be around.

I may be in Greece, but that doesn't necessarily mean that I am getting the feel of Greece. When I am at work, I am getting a completely different culture! Here are some things that I have learned about the Muslim/ Persian culture that Lindsey and I are getting to know:

- The men and women are often separated. Many of the women are afraid to learn too much about Christianity or to even become Christians because they do not know how their husbands will respond. The women won't swim or dance in front of the men, and even at meal times it is mostly separated. Lindsey and I were told that it is best to just not have physical contact or eye contact with a man because we do not want to send "the wrong message." To be a woman in this culture kind of means walking a tightrope of rules.

-  It is a honorable thing to be able to get the best of someone. For instance, children would often indicate that they need another piece of candy for their little sister or brother who is sleeping or sick. Often times, if you give in, they will keep that for themselves. Part of this is also due to the fact that these children do not have many possessions and often go without, so whenever they can stock up on things, they do!

The language that is the most common among the refugees is Farsi. It is the modern/more widely used version of Dari. I have been busy trying to learn words and phrases, as well as the new sounds (yes, a sound that they use is that throaty sound you make while hacking a loogie-- hard to get used to!). Many times this week I have recalled that learning a language as an adult means learning a handful of words per day. Learning a language as a child is a lot easier-- which explains why many of the children know more English than their parents. It isn't uncommon for the children to know several languages-- their home language, Greek, English, and maybe another.

Throughout my life, I have gotten used to people wanting to know what race I am (Korean) and if I know about the culture/language/my birth parents. I did not really expect that when I came to Greece. However, there are four different distinct looks of Middle Easterners. Caucasian (from Alexander the Great's conquer), the darker color of the more tribal regions, the typical picture of a Middle Easterner, and Asian-looking (from some long-ago Chinese invasion, I think). I was surprised to see the range of races represented at the camp!

It took a few days for the campers to get comfortable and to feel like they could ask me questions. Then it was as if, one day, they all decided they had to know where I was from! I would say America, but then they got really confused. They are used to seeing Caucasian Americans. They would continue to ask me where I was from until I said Korea. Then they wanted to know north or south? Trying to explain that I was adopted and am an American was difficult-- especially with the language barrier. I would often ask one of the translators to help me, but they didn't know the word for adopted. I was once described as an orphan who was found by and taken in by a family in America. (Thanks, Ma and Pa!) The mother who was told this felt really sorry for me!

Eventually some of my refugee friends realized what I was trying to say. They told me the word was "farzandee." These girls have been so good to help me learn Farsi!

I am so grateful to have gone to this camp. The grounds are beautiful and it is right next to the sea. I have been able to make several friends among the refugees-- many of whom I will be seeing over the next few weeks! There are the three older girls who help teach me Farsi and who painted my nails one day.  There is the family of four girls who were unsure of me at first, but who would play games with me and joke with me by the end of camp. There are the pre-teen girls that I worked with during the children's ministry time. 

There is the little boy who is not very accepted among the other children-- he attached himself to me very early on in the camp. His older sister, who was in my pre-teen group, has also become a good friend. The parents of these siblings thanked me for befriending their children. The father spoke in front of the camp; he spoke of what they had fled from and how they have really experienced a different, more full love in Athens and at camp. They have two older sons who have been able to move on into Germany. "F," the daughter, showed me pictures of their life in Afghanistan. The children looked healthier and less worn by life, they were in their own home and their faces were fuller. They were surrounded by family, and in one photo F pointed to several people. She would say what country they have been able to flee to-- Germany, Australia, Canada... Imagine being separated from your loved ones, not sure if they would survive the trek or if you would ever see them again. I feel honored to be trusted enough to see those photos. 

The language barrier may be frustrating and it does make getting to know people more difficult, but through the barrier we are able to see each others' characters more and are able to teach and learn from each other. It was something that I was nervous about. Thank you for your prayers. I can now put the language barrier in the "hallelujah!" column! Other blessings are the staff at camp and Helping Hands (really, I wish I could tell you about them, but this post is already a long one!), the opportunity that Linds and I have to see two cultures in Greece, and the friendships that have been made the past week. 

Prayer requests:

- for continued energy, strength, and wisdom

- Greece as they start to build a stronger gov't and economy

- for the Helping Hands, Oasis, Hellenic Ministries staff and the work they do

- for the lives of the campers/refugees-- that they may see a difference in the lives of the Christians they encounter, that they feel the love of Christ, and that their fears of turning from the Muslim faith can be overcome by they power of God

Thanks again for your love and support. Please send me updates on your lives and prayer requests!

Much love. Ho-wa-da-fes! (Goodbye in Farsi)

Geya soi (YA-ses)-- Hello!

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

On your mark... get set...

The past few weeks have felt like a time of waiting. I have worked a little at the Frosty Trete (if you ever happen to be near Bedford, Iowa in spring/summer/fall, stop by- it is totally worth it!) and did some babysitting.  I have spent time with my family and visited the zoo with some friends. But tomorrow, my waiting is over because Lindsey and I will be travelling to Athens. I keep reminding myself to take deep breaths!

So far, Lindsey and I know that we will be helping out with a refugee family camp the first week we are there. We've been told that we'll work with the children (which is perfect for me!) but it will definitely be a challenge with the language barriers. The refugees speak anything from Farsi to French to Arabic and more! But from what I have read, the family camp gives the refugee families a chance to be a family with a week of stability--no guessing where the next meal will come from or where they will sleep that night. I am excited to start the adventures there!

It's been a blessing to keep up with my SOS teammates through their blogs and our prayer line. If you think of it, please keep them in your prayers! Thank you for wanting to keep up with this blog. Please join Lindsey and I  as we pray for...

- continual spiritual growth

- Greece's economic situation

- the refugees- especially those that Lindsey and I will meet

- The Morleys and their team in Athens

- hearts that are willing to serve in any situation

- travel-- we'll spend over 24 hours in airplanes and airports!

I hope you are enjoying this beautiful summer day. Before I sign off, I have one more request. I want to keep up with people while I am in Greece, so please feel free to send me a Facebook message or e-mail with the latest happenings and prayer requests! 

As Glozelle would say... peace and blessin's, peace and blessin's.