Free cookies...

A tiring but good start to the new week. Monday is my busiest day with four different classes but it has been an encouraging start to my schedule. I was thankfully able to get my teaching materials prepared in the morning and all the classes seemed to go well. There was a fun moment today when I was getting one class to imagine our classroom was a restaurant. I had two children at the front one the waiter the other the chef, who of course had the bin on his head as a chefs hat! All good fun! This coming Wednesday all the teachers will be meeting to ensure that everything is clear with regards to the coming term. Please pray that as a school we settle into the school year well and for me that I establish good routines especially as I continue to adjust culture wise. I am enjoying my Greek lessons and had another hour today which went well.

Free cookies

On my way home from school I had to drop by a bakery to pick up some milk. As I ordered my milk I thought I'd buy a cake and quickly got chatting with the shop assistant. It all seemed to go rather quickly but I think she was impressed with my Greek (although to be honest I didn't do much of the talking). After I had paid for my milk and cake she kindly gave me some cookies for free! Possibly rewarding me for my efforts at speaking the language but also more likely a kind gesture to welcome me to Greece.

Tomorrow is the 'helping hands' refugee ministry and praise God my schedule has worked out really well with regards to fitting in serving with my church. My first lesson tomorrow isn't until 6pm and so I can stay with the 'helping hands' team a bit longer instead of having to rush back to the school for a lesson.

Please give much thanks to God for many blessings as I get to know the church family in Athens. I have been truly blessed through the Glyfada Christian Centre and now through 2nd church. Yesterday I had the most amazing time having lunch with friends after church, playing games and chatting well into the evening.

100% clay...

It has been an up and down week, so I was glad of a Saturday where I could rest, go for a walk and catch up on shopping and general flat cleaning. I am also thankful for time to reflect on what God has been teaching me over the last month. I think one of the lessons I have learnt is how our Father in Heaven uses all circumstances to shape and mould us into the people he has purposed us to be. We may not understand or even agree with the process, but what we can know with full confidence is that he is good, in control and will work with us to achieve the promised end product (to be like Jesus). I'm reminded of what Isaiah said:

Yet you, Lord, are our Father.
    We are the clay, you are the potter;
    we are all the work of your hand.
                                                           Isaiah 64:8

I look back at my time working in a primary school and see how it has prepared me for my job now, I can only wonder what my current job is preparing me for. What I do know is that all things are working in accordance with God's plan, he is the master potter and his hands are lovingly working over the clay of my life, shaping me and fashioning me into the vessel of his choosing.

One of my favourite places in Athens!
(Carrefour)

Our for a walk. In the distance
is Lykavvitos

      



















During my afternoon walk , I came across a demonstration on one of the main avenues near my street. I was unsure why they were protesting but they (whoever they were) had positioned themselves outside the police headquarters and were waving Greek flags. Later that day, I did some research online and discovered that earlier around 200 supporters of the far-right Golden Dawn party had gathered in protest over the arrest of their leader and three of their MP's. Earlier in the week anti-fascist protestors held a rally which soon became violent as they clashed with the police.

These are clearly uncertain times for Greece, and socially and politically it seems to be getting more and more unstable. I also get the impression from speaking with Greeks that there is a feeling of hopelessness surrounding the situation. Please pray that out of the chaos, uncertainty and this seemingly hopeless time, many Greeks will question - why? - and seek outside of themselves, to the One who is the author all life, the One who gives power to all rulers and authorities. That many would come to know Jesus the only person who offers true hope for now and eternity. The hand of God is at work in the nation of Greece, he is the potter, we are all the work of his hands.

Golden Dawn supporters protesting
amidst a heavy police presence

   

Ouch...

I'm not the only one who is experiencing the drawbacks of living in a climate where it seems mozzy's rule! Thankfully I don't have too many bites but they don't half itch! On a more positive note, today has been a really good day. I enjoyed serving at the church this morning, helping get the food ready and then serving the meal and drinks to people. The majority who we meet are really friendly and I also enjoy practicing my Greek on our guests. I think I've just about perfected 'good morning' 'with milk' 'your welcome' and other invaluable phrases when tasked with serving tea and coffee! It has also been a real pleasure getting to know people on the team. We can only pray that God would use our efforts for his greater purposes and that in some way people will see something of his love as they see his people serving together.

Getting ready to open

Open

I am looking forward to having more meaningful conversations with people once my Greek is at a better level. Not to say that my tea serving skills are inept, it is important to be able to know when someone wants cold water with their coffee instead of hot!

At school today I only had one class to teach and it was praise God a much better time. There is a real feeling of satisfaction when you teach a 'good' lesson. I put the word good in '    ' because there is always room for improvement, but I managed to deliver a clearer lesson and the children were far more engaged then yesterday. This class however will be very different to the others as there are only three children and they already have a good level of English. It is just nice to have a class where you haven't got to stop and do a reminder every 10 minutes on the importance of respect.

Still we press on and keep things in perspective. If you have a moment I would love to commend an article on the desiringgod.org website entitled - The Strange Glory of Ordinary Things. It really made me stop, think and helpfully put things back in perspective. Number one of what the original author calls the 'Ten resolutions for mental health' is:

At least once every day I shall look steadily up at the sky and remember that I, a consciousness with a conscience, am on a planet traveling in space with wonderfully mysterious things above and about me.
   

Two out of three...

It was my first real day of teaching today and it feels like two out of the three lessons were a success. The two which could have gone better is mainly due to the students being a lower level then I was expecting but also down to the class dynamics. Next time I will be better prepared for this and will try to make sure the lesson is tailored in the best way possible to suit the class. Lesson number one (which was 2 hours) was great and I really enjoyed teaching the class about letter writing. I would very much value your prayers as I settle into teaching the different levels. In other news, my Greek lesson went well and I am learning lots about the wonders of Greek grammar. It is helping me to understand more about why Greek is the way it is. Lots of homework to do over the weekend!

On my way home from school I was confused as to why the police had blocked off one of the roads. As I got nearer home it became clear that something had happened and when I arrived at my building I had a chat with my neighbour who explained that there was a mass rally this evening which passed through our street. Firstly it has now very much dispersed and we are all fine and safe! Please do however pray because it just highlights even more the growing political tensions in Greece. You will probably hear more about this on the news if it reaches the UK so I wanted to get in their first to reassure you that we are fine.  

Tomorrow I will be at the 2nd church again for the feeding ministry and then it will be round two of teaching. God-willing tomorrow I can make it three out of three!


  

Love the sojourner...

A sojourner, as described by Googles web definitions, is a 'temporary resident'. A more fuller definition might be - 'a person who stays or resides temporarily in a place'. And of such people, Deuteronomy 10:19 says we are to "Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt." These of course were words spoken to the people of Israel concerning their attitude towards strangers in the land, but I believe they are words that hold much value today. As a Christian, my freedom from sin and slavery to this world, should spur me into loving those who still find themselves very much enslaved. In fact, typing the word 'sojourn' into the biblegateway.com keyword search, reveals just how much the sojourner is upon the heart of God (why not give it a try).

Getting ready for lunch at
'helping hands'

As I write about all this, I think I am beginning to uncover the underlying feeling that has accompanied me as I adjust to a new land and people. It is the feeling of being a sojourner. A stranger in an unfamiliar land, standing out and never quite fitting in. Maybe even at times being misunderstood or being the one who misunderstands. Yet how much more must those who have fled their country be experiencing these emotions, for no one forced me by gunpoint to come to Greece.

Today I  joined the 'helping hands' ministry team serving lunch to over 100 refugees from Afghanistan. It was once again a very humbling experience and I think a really valuable one for it forces you to look beyond your situation and outwards to other people. Isn't this what we see at the heart of the gospel? A loving God reaching out to a lost humanity. Perhaps this reveals something of why God commands his people, yes commands them, to love strangers as themselves.



You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.           

Leviticus 19:34

Pray for me that I would do just that to all those I meet who are experiencing sojourning in a land far from home. And give thanks for those who have shown me such love during my first month in Athens. As I arrived home, my neighbours were having a drink outside and chatting. They invited me to join them and we had a fun time catching up and laughing at my poor attempts to speak Greek!

Spotted this on my way home
and had to stop and take a pic

It begins...

Well sort of. The schedule for all the classes will be ready on Wednesday so today and tomorrow are still very much see what happens days. I'm certainly learning the art of adapting at the last minute, for instance at 7pm expecting one class and being all ready and set up, I discovered that I was about to meet a very different class. Still all went ok and it has just been good to meet some of the children that I will be teaching. The school has a really fun and relaxed atmosphere and I also feel like I'm starting to get to know the other teachers more which is good. I had my first Greek lesson today which went well. It was an encouraging start and I was told that for only being in the country one month, I already have a good accent. I am really looking forward to learning more Greek and especially getting my head around the grammar (not easy)! Learning a language is however really helping me to better empathise with my students. I feel now I have a greater understanding for how someone learns a new language and the fears and struggles that accompany the experience.




 

This evening there was a funny moment when I was trying to teach my class how to play wink murder. Quite a difficult task when your children don't know the word wink or murder. I think we managed some kind of game and above all they seemed to have an enjoyable time. Please continue to pray for me as I settle into my teaching role at the school.

Tomorrow I will be joining the 'helping hands' feeding ministry team again for another time of outreach to refugees living in Athens. This is a really valuable time for we meet and serve the same people each week. Our hope is that in some way, they encounter something of God's love for them in Christ. It is also, as you can imagine, very challenging to meet so many people in need. Please give thanks to God for a dedicated team and pray that they would be strengthened and equipped for making Him known and sharing His love in whatever way possible!

Things are heating up...

And for once I'm not talking about the weather. Today has actually been a cooler day of about 23°C and it is set to stay in the mid twenties over the coming week. I'm referring to my daily schedule and rapidly noticing that very soon I will be extremely busy both with teaching and other post-school commitments. This week I met two of my classes which was an encouraging experience although it will take time for me to switch my mind into English language teaching mode. Spending a year working in a primary school, has meant that I occasionally forget that I am with non-native speakers and suddenly have to rethink what I am saying. Please pray for me as I meet my different classes and especially pray for me as I familiarise myself with the teaching material. I am teaching five different levels so at times it feels like a lot to get my head around. Tomorrow I will be teaching two classes and should also have a better idea about the coming weeks schedule.

Saturday afternoon entertainment...

It has been an enjoyable weekend and I was thankful for being able to spend time with friends on Saturday. One of the afternoon activities was playing 'ticket to ride' - (see picture on the right). In the evening some friends from church came over which was great. Meeting people from the church has been a real pleasure and I am very much looking forward to getting to know people better over the coming weeks and months.

I think currently I am going through the 'missing England' stage and so being able to spend time with friends who have personal experience of this stage of culture shock has been really invaluable. It has nearly been one month now and I am sure that I will encounter many other thoughts and feelings as I journey through cultural crossroads. Please do give thanks to God for providing me with friends who can help steer me through moments when all I want to do is wear a thick woollen jumper and drive a car on the left-hand side of the road (in the rain).

Not meaning to sound too negative, these are all quite natural emotions for someone who has entered a new culture. To bring some balance and perspective there are many things that I give much thanks for. The provision of a job, home, friends, church in Athens. God's leading and protection as I've gone about my various 'stamp collecting' tasks. And of course knowing that ultimately He has a good plan and purpose and knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). All I need to do in that time is be faithful and love Christ (sounds easy). One part of the sermon that spoke to me today was when the preacher declared - Christ is not an accessory, he is the King of the world! Over this coming week, as I being Greek lessons, teaching English to my students, seek to serve and make Jesus known to my neighbours and those I meet through church. Please pray that I have a deeper and more wider view of Christ in my life - he is not to be an accessory to my life - he is to be King over my life!

2nd Greek Evangelical Church -
before Sunday morning worship

    

There's plenty to do...

These were the words of the chap I bumped into as I arrived at the church for the twice-weekly feeding ministry. We went to pick up the bread from a nearby bakery and as we walked and talked, he explained to me the various ministry needs currently in Athens. After we had prepared the meal, the overall leader of the team gave me an introduction into the vision for the ministry to the homeless and needy. It is a big vision but one that is required for such a big need. At around 12pm, over 100 people arrived to receive food and a drink. We were well prepared and in just under an hour we had handed out a hot meal, bread and countless cups of tea and coffee. I can now say that I have mastered at least one phrase in Greek (...with milk?). I really enjoyed meeting the team and will look forward to serving with them again. Please pray that through this ministry the people we meet might question our motives for reaching out and come to see that at its heart is the love of Christ - the one who reached out to us - and in our poverty (spiritually speaking) made us very rich indeed!

Now that's a lot of pasta!

Food all ready to go

People eating their meal outside

I hope to be able to share more about this ministry as I get involved each week. It has struck me that whether in Oxford, Athens, London or Hull, essentially the needs are all the same. People are lost, some may appear more lost than others, but deep down everyone is lost and there is only one person who can heal the waywardness of the human heart - Jesus. I remember before heading out to Athens I was trying to have a conversation with a very drunk homeless man, just before I decided it was better to depart he said something quite interesting, 'salvation or a sandwich'. I suppose if you gave someone the choice which one would they take? Hopefully as we reach out to peoples physical needs, such action will be a step closer towards them realising their spiritual need and the true living bread that far outweighs anything we can offer, and food that satisfies from now into eternity.       
   

Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you...

To be honest, these words from Psalm 63 seemed somewhat distant as I woke up this morning not feeling 100%. It was my first day of teaching and I was feeling weak, tired and certainly not ready to face a classroom of children. Yet what could I do? I did the one thing I should do all the time, I prayed. I reached for my Bible and read Psalm 63. After praying and reading the Psalm I can honestly say that I received renewed strength, a strength which carried me through the day. Not only this but as I entered the school and prepared for my class, there was a renewed confidence knowing that God was with me:

Because you are my help,
    I sing in the shadow of your wings.
I cling to you;
    your right hand upholds me.  
                                                Psalm 63:7-8


My students arrived just before 7pm and the class of 12 Greek children entered the room. I had lots of fun in store for them and it started with a 'getting to know you' style game. I had planned on playing 'I now know you a skittle better' although quickly discovered skittles are extremely hard to come by in Greece (maybe they are still waiting for their paperwork to be stamped). I adapted to this unfortunate 'sweet' disaster and created the game 'hello haribo'. Basically we went around the room said our name and then after choosing a haribo answered the appropriate question. If you happen to have some haribo in your hand right now why not have a go:

Hello Haribo!

One of the best moments of the evening was when we played a game called 'pass it on'. This is where the class stand in a line and then pretend to pass an item down the line. I encouraged them to really act it out and it was brilliant - especially the smelly sock and sack of potatoes! Occasionally they will have to pass a bomb with a countdown timer and they absolutely loved this! Especially when I put the timer on 5 seconds! Overall please give thanks for an encouraging start but do pray for my school owner to get a schedule finalised soon (it is a very hard job as you can imagine). And then I would greatly value your prayers that I would rest in the unknowns and keep remember Psalm 63.

In other news, I have now decided to have private Greek lessons and this will start next week with a teacher who has taught a friend of mine. Tomorrow morning I will be at the 2nd church to help with a feeding ministry to the homeless. Please continue to pray that I settle into the church and find how I can best serve during my time in Athens. Oh... and give thanks that I am feeling much better and that I go in His strength throughout the rest of this week!   

Looking ahead...

Which direction do you most often find yourself looking? Behind to the past, down at the present or ahead to the future? I confess that for me, it is so often the former that occupies the attention of my mind. Yet over the last couple of days I have become increasingly aware of the needs of the present, and the essential task of looking ahead. You will have noticed that much of my thinking (and frustrations) over the past few weeks has been on adjusting to a new city. This is all well and good, yet as I look back to the city I have left behind and around at the city I am now in, I am failing to see one of the most important truths of the Christian message - the city to come!

For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.

Hebrews 13:14

Both Oxford and Athens, great as they are, will not last. Yet more than this, the city to come is going to be incomparable to any man-made city. And with this in mind, as I look around at the current needs (and in Athens there are many) I have in the gospel the most glorious news of a future with a God who loved the world so much that he sent his only Son to die for our sin and who promises to fill us with joy in his presence and with pleasures forevermore. Please pray that my eyes would be fixed on Jesus and that I would have opportunities and boldness to speak about him. Yesterday I went to visit my neighbour and walked in on her crying. This was a tragic moment as I really wanted to speak to her but again the language barrier had other ideas. I ended up sitting with her and some other neighbours for a bit last night outside over a Greek coffee (just me as it's still a novelty).

Tomorrow is the first day of the school term! I am getting prepared and my students will arrive at 7pm for an hour and half 'getting to know each other' style of lesson. I'm looking forward to getting started but would very much value your prayers as this is a big unknown.  

Please pray:

- I would draw nearer to God as I look to Jesus and what he has done and is doing in my life.

- For perseverance as I do miss Oxford and Athens is a very different city indeed.

- For a good start to my teaching job and that I quickly get to know students.

New discoveries, new toy...

I am beginning to get to know my area in Athens much better and keep discovering new places of interest. One being an express supermarket (a bit closer then the big supermarket although not quite the same) and another being a gyros shop (gyros meaning 'round' - it's the spinning pork kebab thing although 100 times better then England). The latter of the two places being more important of course! Athens is a big city and so there is still a vast amount I have yet to (and probably will never) discover, however I am looking forward to uncovering some more hidden gems soon.

I think exploring a new environment makes you think a lot more about the environment you have left behind. Every city has its own history, a flavour which inevitably gets pressed upon its inhabitants. I suppose if you live in a particular place for a long period of time you begin to own that history and perhaps even take on its unique flavour. Maybe that's why adapting to a new place takes time and effort, for if you are used to having three sugars in your tea, nobody wants to suddenly change to only having one. A retraining of the taste-buds is required. Who knows, it might even be good for you.

My classroom! It will look a little
different on Wednesday!

     
As you can see from the above picture, I am enjoying my new toy (I mean... teaching aid). It is fast approaching the beginning of the school year and so today I have been practicing using my interactive whiteboard! Actually, it's more of an interactive projector but still great fun. Over the last few days, I have enjoyed planning the first block of lessons and ask that you pray for me as I get to know my students. This week will be important to make them feel welcome and also for me to settle a bit more into my job. I will look forward to reporting back on how the fun and the learning is going.

Fun filled day...

It has been a fun filled Sunday! This morning I went to the 2nd Greek Evangelical Church. I am really looking forward to serving and belonging to the community there. It was good to see familiar faces again (people I had met last time I was in Athens) but also really good to meet new people. The service at 2nd church is conducted in Greek but thankfully there is a translation via headphones. So long as your not worried about your fashion status, you can listen to the service in English via the translation booth. One of the things I especially enjoy is singing the songs (in Greek). This can be tricky (ok... very tricky), but occasionally there will be a hymn that is familiar so you can sing along to the Greek knowing the tune (hoping one day I will know the words too). The first hymn this morning was 'to God be the glory'!

The sermon today was focussed on the theme of evangelism and the role of the church to make disciples for Jesus! We then shared the Lord's supper which I always think is a good way to begin your time at a new church. I am very much looking forward to getting involved at the 2nd church and hope this Thursday to attend a feeding ministry to the homeless. Please continue to pray that I settle in, grow in my faith, and discover how I can best serve God and his gospel in Athens.      

2nd Greek Evangelical Church

After the service, I joined a group of people for lunch and we went to a nearby taverna. It was a great way to chat to newly met people, one such group being from America. They were in Athens with an organisation called 'Agape' hoping to reach out to students with the gospel. It was great fun getting to know them and of course, discussing the differences between football and soccer!

In the afternoon I had a restful and fun time with friends which led well into the evening playing games, chatting and just having lots of fun. Please give thanks to God for friendships made and pray that these would deepen over the coming weeks and months.

And so a new week is upon us. It is going to be a busy week as my school prepare for a yet unknown intake of new students. One of the good things to come out of my immigration office visit the other day was that during my wait, I planned my introductory lesson! Tomorrow I have a couple more administrative things on my agenda before the teaching fun begins. I will look forward to sharing more over the coming week and as always many thanks for your prayers!    

Rough with the smooth...

Driving from A to B on any road nearly always ends up with an encounter of both the rough and the smooth. There is the momentary bliss of a newly surfaced road, yet it is not long before the cracks begin to appear, and you find yourself navigating your way through potholes, road-works and bumps galore. This is the reality of any journey and as it happens, is the reality I am coming to experience in Greece. Thankfully, there have been many moments where I have enjoyed the 'smooth', and I trust there will be more to come. It is true however that there have been moments where the 'rough' has made the journey ahead seem hard and exhausting. To continue with the road analogy, perhaps being from a different culture, means I am more quick to notice the potholes, road-works and bumps. It may even be true that what to me is a pothole, to a Greek is well, just a hole. Maybe this is where the analogy breaks down! I do remember however on my CMS training a very useful quote about entering a new culture (I paraphrase):

When entering someone else's garden, what to you might be a weed, to them might be a beautiful flower.

Although I might not agree or understand how something is being done, I am not in England and so it is right for me to be tolerant and recognise that this is the way it is. Yes there may be times when it is right to challenge something, (today felt like one of those days) but there will also be times when I simply have to press on and steer my way around the bumps and potholes.

Waiting...

As you may have guessed, there is a story behind the above ramblings. I arrived at immigration (not quite at 6:30am) but nonetheless this was my third attempt and I was determined to leave with my residents permit. Already feeling somewhat frustrated, I eventually arrived at the building only to be told by the security guard that I couldn't enter for another 30mins (why? I don't know). Doing my best to be polite and accepting of this rejection I turned around to greet a man who had witnessed my dilemma. After my 30mins I had met three men and one women all from Africa (Ghana, Sierra Leone, Somalia). I had exchanged phone numbers with two of them (one of the men is a Muslim and after talking a bit about my faith said he may like to meet to talk more), and I had invited one man to church on Sunday (he showed an interest). Praise God for his providence!

If I had arrived earlier maybe I wouldn't have met these people, if the security guard had been welcoming and let me in straight away, these conversations would never have happened. Please pray for these people and that I might be able to see them again. You'll be pleased to hear that after 4 hours of waiting I eventually got my residents permit! If I were to write about the whole story then there wouldn't be much to talk about so I'll save the finer details for another time.

Thank you for your continued prayer and support! If you can spare time to pray for the following it would be of great value:

1. a restful weekend - it has been a long and tiring week.
2. the people I met today - that God would work in their hearts and bring them to Christ.
3. preparation for next Wednesday - when my school term begins.

1 week to go...

This time next week (Greek time that is), I will have had my introductory lesson with my students. We are still unclear how many there will be in the class but the countdown begins! Today all the teachers met this morning to discuss the coming term and think about how we can make the most of the first day of school. There is lots to prepare so please pray that in my work I am diligent and above all do everything for the glory of God (Colossians 3:23). I am both excited and apprehensive. In other news, I have applied for a Greek language course at the University of Athens. It is an 8 month course where I will have two 3hr lessons per week. So long as my application goes through ok, I will start the course on the 1st October!

My oven-proof dish turned out
not to be so oven-proof!

It will be great to begin to improve my Greek. Today I again found myself in the middle of a group conversation thinking to myself, '...ok so I can hear the words you must and students, what are they talking about?' Thankfully a translation followed. Please continue to pray that I get to know my neighbours. When I leave in the morning I always see my neighbour who owns the flower shop - kali mera!

As I write this my neighbour who lives in a different building but whose flat faces mine has been rather loud towards someone. Now maybe this is a cultural thing, but I'm not so sure. Please pray about all this and that in less peaceful moments, God's peace will become known. I still have a lot to learn about Greek culture and also realise that God has placed me in an area of Athens where there will be lots of different people going through different things in their daily lives (me being one of them). Psalm 16:8 is very much pressed upon my heart.

Tomorrow is Friday and you know what that means? It's immigration office day. Now that I have all my paperwork I am confident that by this time tomorrow I will be the elated owner of a residents permit. It will be an early start but I trust it will be worth it - even if I don't receive a bottle of Ouzo.          

Phew it's hot...

A very hot day today and tomorrow the weather is set to get even hotter! We are expecting around 35° C. Not that I'm complaining, it's just hot! Having consistent weather however does make for a nice change, at least you know what your getting each day. I decided in the end not to go to immigration this morning - Friday it is! Thank you praying! I do feel like I'm gradually settling into life in Greece. There are still moments when you just want to watch episodes of 'the thin blue line' and talk about nothing but the Queen - whilst eating marmite. But I'm assured these are just moments. On the whole it has been great embracing Greekness and fascinating to learn about a country that is very much on my heart.

The sun setting over Glyfada 

This evening I joined the Glyfada Christian Centre to pray for the city of Athens. We went up a mountain overlooking Glyfada and sang songs and prayed for the people of Athens and Greece in general. It was a poignant moment as I looked out at the beauty of a country blemished by a crisis which is sorely felt among its people. If you speak to any Greek person it is soon evident that these are tough times for many. You also start to find that there isn't one clear answer for the way ahead. One person says this another says that, these are bleak times indeed. Yet as a Christian I can't help but have a different perspective, God is sovereign! Yes there is uncertainty, yes there is pain, but even in such difficulty, God is in control and has a plan which cannot be thwarted. For as Job declared, even after experiencing extreme suffering:

‘I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.   

Job 42:2     

Above all, the God revealed in the Bible and supremely in Jesus Christ is loving and good! And so we can trust (although it isn't easy) in his goodness and rest in his love. Stuck on my fridge I have seven statements about God's sovereignty to help me remember his hidden hand is at work. One I often look to is:

God's will is a great mystery, but I know that whatever He allows is necessary and for my very best in His eyes.

Please pray that for me this becomes an even greater truth in my life, but also pray that for the people of Greece, many come to know this truth for the first time, and turn to the God who loved them so much he sent his Son to die for them. Amazing love - sweltering you might say!

Humbling and heart-breaking...

This morning, I joined up with the refugee feeding ministry to help serve lunch to over 100 people largely from Afghanistan. It was encouraging to see such an established and much needed ministry among many who are experiencing extreme hardship. As I got to know people, and listened to their stories, finding out about what they have been through was both humbling and heart breaking. Many of these people have left behind their homes and families to seek refuge from a country torn apart by war. The ministry for these people aims to meet practical needs but also it is hoped it will be a vehicle for many to experience the love of God in Christ Jesus. It is overtly Christian and after the meal there is a gospel presentation which people are welcome to stay for. I am looking forward to helping each week and would value your prayers that I can get to know people. Please pray for the team in general as they minister to a whole variety of needs.

Post-lunch talk

This afternoon I attended a seminar at my school which was good although it did cement further my realisation that I have much to think about before term begins. It was however great to meet some of the other teachers and get to know them. One of the things I continue to find is that not speaking Greek can often mean I am left out of the conversation or just left a bit confused (nothing new there then). This isn't on purpose you understand, but being the only Englishman does limit me somehow. Another reason to learn Greek! Please continue to pray for my settling in and think of me tomorrow morning at 6:30am (that's 4:30am UK time). Who knows, this time tomorrow evening I might be have a resident permit! Oh... and that free bottle of Ouzo!

Maybe it was my hat...

Whatever it was, on my way home from Lykavittos this evening I was asked for directions twice! I answered as best I could in Greek and just hope I sent them on the right way. I really enjoy walking up Lykavittos and I have now discovered a route (without getting lost) which takes about 35mins from my flat. Today has been a fairly productive day and I was thankful for getting two more lessons planned in the morning. It is starting to get very near the beginning of term and tomorrow we are having a seminar in the afternoon from an English language teaching publisher. There does feel like a lot to get done at the moment, please pray for me and my school that we are prepared for the students when they arrive on the 18th.

At the top of Lykavittos

Also this week, I am also hoping to help out with a ministry for refugees, homeless and the poor. The 2nd church are serving in cooperation with the ministries 'share the blessings' and 'helping hands'. The aim of this ministry is to provide food, clothes and most importantly some thoughts from the Word of God. I am praying that in whatever way he wills, God will direct me and use me to serve his gospel during my time in Athens. In all this, please pray that I learn how best to balance my school commitments and also my ministry commitments as-well. Also there is of course my desire to learn Greek and the on-going quest of my paperwork. God-willing by the end of this week I will have my residents permit (going to immigration on Wednesday) and a bank account. Lots to think about, lots to get done, but please pray that I keep remembering those words of Jesus:

So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.   

Matthew 6:31-34

Καλή εβδομάδα! - (Kalí̱ evdomáda) - Good week!
 
 

It's not about me...

I was really challenged today to make a greater effort to pray and seek after God. Not simply to bring a list of requests before God (however this is important) but to see that the purpose of prayer is not about me getting all that I want, but about me getting closer to God. As I pray for that thing which is still yet to be answered, am I prepared to persevere, trusting that God will answer my prayer in his timing. More than that, am I prepared to see my waiting and persevering in prayer as a channel for deepening my relationship with God. I guess it's the same with any conversation. It would be pretty rude would it not, if all my conversations with people were focussed on me getting what I want. Sometimes I've noticed how quick I am to forget that the God of the universe, my Father in Heaven, has saved me not just so I can get to Heaven, but so I can get to Him. For Jesus before going to the cross prayed to the Father:

Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they KNOW you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

John 17:1-3

The gift of eternal life is the gift of knowing God. Is that really a great gift? If you have a Bible read Psalm 36:7-9 and I think you'll agree there is no better person to turn to then the Lord our God.

A Greek Orthodox church in Glyfada

Glyfada Christian Centre

This morning I went to the Glyfada Christian Centre as planned and it really was a wonderful time. It was great to see people again and although I have decided to make the 2nd Greek Evangelical church my home church in Athens, I am very much hoping to keep in touch with Glyfada. I do know that some of the ministry that I hope to be involved with will have links with Glyfada, plus I will be able to visit from time to time. It is great to see how God is at work in Greece and I am looking forward to settling into the 2nd church and starting to serve in whatever way I can. There is much to learn and I am sure over the coming weeks there will be fuel for prayers so I will keep you updated.

Grass roots! Watching some park football

Great evening for a stroll in the park

As you can see from the pictures above I had a pleasant time strolling through a nearby park. This was accompanied by watching some local football. I'd like to say the quality was representative of that of Oxford United, but now the U's are sitting second in League 2 still unbeaten, I'm pleased to say our conference years are but a distant memory. Correct me if any of that made no sense, I was trying to be poetic! Please pray for me in the coming week. I have still quite a few lessons to plan and on Thursday, there is a staff meeting at my school about the coming year. I would also value your prayers as I continue to settle and especially get involved with some of the ministry within the 2nd church. Hope you have had a good weekend, look forward to sharing more news soon!

My local metro station

Restful day...

It has been good after my long day yesterday to have a bit more of a restful day today. No 6am alarm for me! After spending the morning inside I decided to go to Carrefour (the supermarket) to stock up on a few things. It is a very handy 5 minutes walk from my flat and if all supermarkets across the world played jazz over the radio like Carrefour, it would be a very good world indeed (unless you don't like jazz that is). Earlier this evening I decided it would be a good idea to see my neighbours so I dropped in for a Greek coffee and a very limited conversation. I also met two more people who live in my building which was great! There was a funny moment when I was repeating their names (to make sure I'd got them right) and I pointed to the man and said άνδρας (ándras) which literally means 'man'. I obviously got lost in translation at some stage but it was a very funny moment! Please continue to pray that I get to know my neighbours. As you can imagine it takes a lot of effort because my Greek is very simple but it is well worth trying.

My local bakery just across the road

mmmmmm... honey rings

One of the things I've been learning upon entering a different culture is that you need to be pro-active in stepping out and just having a go. It can be very tempting to stay indoors, or only listen to or speak in English but that isn't going to help. My plan now is to get Greek lessons and see how much I can learn over the year. I was told by a Greek friend yesterday that I have a fairly good accent so it isn't impossible but it will take time and perseverance.

Tomorrow I am planning on going to the Glyfada Christian Centre in the morning although it feels that my home church in Athens is now likely going to be the 2nd Greek Evangelical Church. I'm looking forward to speaking with the pastor tomorrow about my decision and do hope in some way to be able to keep in touch with the people I have met. It is a decision made in light of the distance I live from the church but more so to do with my work schedule and fitting ministry around that. I know a ministry at the 2nd church which would work well alongside my teaching programme.

A few prayer pointers:

1. peace over choosing a church - pray I settle and that existing friendships deepen.
2. preparations for the school year - pray I get my head around what I am going to teach.
3. persistence with the language - pray I find a teacher and make progress in speaking Greek.

Green army! No... not Plymouth Argyle!
PAO stadium behind the trees

     

Καλό Σαββατοκύριακο! - Have a nice weekend!

A new phrase I learnt today from the receptionist in my school. It's a bit of a mouthful but once you get it, it rolls of the tongue quite nicely. Today has been a long day which began at 6am (alarm going off) and then began again at 6:45am (after me ignoring my alarm). As planned, I arrived at the immigration police and found my way to the EU department in the hope of getting my residents permit. It was another testing time as I was greeted by a man who clearly didn't enjoy his work (or gave that impression anyway). I tried my best to smile and be polite but to no avail! After being given another form to fill in I soon realised that I was in for a long wait. One hour later my number was called out and I greeted the man (desperately trying to make him smile) and eventually found out that I need to get another form and stamp and then come back next week! In my finest British accent I told the man how ever so grateful I was for his help and wished him a good day.

Interestingly I didn't feel frustrated with the situation, I just left with a greater awareness of how difficult it is for people seeking residence in Greece (especially those outside the EU). I was on the other hand quite excited about my new found hobby of stamp collecting, maybe one more stamp and I qualify for a free bottle of Ouzo!

This evening has been a good end to an overall tiring day. I met up with two friends from the 2nd Greek Evangelical Church and we went for dinner which was a really lovely time. We had many conversations about many things and spending time with friends in the evening is really helping me get settled. Please continue to pray for me in this, especially as I look to deepen relationships with neighbours and find a local church where I can belong. I am currently considering if it would be better to attend a church nearer where I am living.

Next week a friend from the 2nd church is going to show me some of the ministry that is going on during the week amongst refugees and the homeless community. Will look forward to sharing some news on that. Please pray that over the coming month I gradually work out a way that I can balance my teaching commitments alongside my desire to get involved with an area of Christian mission.

Καλό Σαββατοκύριακο! - Have a nice weekend!     

An evening by the Acropolis...

I've just got home after a really great evening having dinner with a friend by the Acropolis. It really does look amazing all lit up at night. One can just about picture all that Greek thinking taking place until someone stood up and said 'errrr... what about a democracy?' - 'hhhmm, yes, I like the sound of that!'. It has been great learning about Greek history and their certainly is a lot to learn. It has also taught me just how little I know about British history! I had another successful time at work planning lessons and hopefully by the end of this week will have all my lessons for week one at least in plan form. So far I've been leaving the school to go home for lunch but today I thought I would pay a visit to some friends who have just returned after visiting the UK. It was really great to see them and a real joy to catch up. I am extremely thankful for their support and help as I settle into living in Athens. They have very much been through the experience so it is great to be able to speak to them about making the transition into a new culture.

Athens really does look beautiful
as the sun begins to set

You can just about see the
Acropolis lit up in the background.

I'm looking forward to meeting up with them and other friends again soon! Please give thanks to God for friendships in Athens and pray that these grow over the coming weeks and months. Now, I'm writing this blog a bit later then usual due to my evening out by the Acropolis. It is currently a quarter past midnight (for Greeks however that is early!) and looming in the back of my mind is tomorrow morning. I need to make another trip to the immigration police. Thankfully I now have all my papers sorted and so it should be a simple (yes, simple) visit to the EU office to get my residents permit. Anyhow, this is the plan and God-willing I hope to leave around 6:30am (possibly earlier) to go and do this. Apparently the earlier you go the better. Will look forward to sharing news of this journey tomorrow (or if we're in my time later today!).   

A theatre next to the Acropolis.

Very thankful...

There are lots of things about today that I want to give thanks to God for. Firstly, please do keep praying for I am seeing answers to prayer each day. A prayer on my heart has been that my colleagues and neighbours would come to know that I am a Christian. How thankful and praising the Lord I was this morning when my first conversation with a colleague, ended in me discovering that he is a Christian! I also today (just in conversation) managed to say to one neighbour that I was going to church in the evening, then later in the day, to another neighbour that I was going to church. Please continue to pray about all this, but I am very thankful today for these conversations. These are little steps in the right direction and as one Chinese person put it once (I think) - 'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step' (how profound).

Recycling, the possibilities are endless!
Doing my bit for Greece. 6 bottles =

€0.02 (long way to go for my millions!)

 





I made good progress with my lesson planning today, another three lessons done (or at least in a plan). There is certainly a lot of new information to take in, but I am reassured by my director of studies that I'll be fine. The school have been extremely welcoming and I know it will be a place where I will be learning (maybe just as much if not more then my students!).

I'm steadily beginning to know my way around and starting to see the assuring presence of the known. That is, walking to work and thinking, 'I've seen that before' or 'this is the right street' (that one feels good). It's all very comforting to know your way. I've definitely learnt that we so often come to take our surroundings for granted. The familiar too quickly becomes over familiar! Being thrown into the unfamiliar has given me a great opportunity for learning and a very valuable experience.  

One other unfamiliar I've been introduced to since living in Athens is my new church. The Church Mission Society pointed me in the direction of the Glyfada Christian Centre as a church where I could serve and look to get involved in mission. The experience of attending a church very different to what I am 'used to' has been a challenging experience but a good one. I was warmly welcomed on Sunday and this evening, as planned, I went to the weekly Bible study and prayer evening. I was again welcomed warmly and only after two visits I already feel like I know people at Glyfada. Again there were differences in style of the meeting but more importantly there was a deep hunger for God's word, a genuine love for one another and desire to worship God in every aspect of daily life. Please pray that I would settle at Glyfada CC and in all the unfamiliar and sometimes dare I say uncomfortable times, God would use these experiences to draw me nearer to Himself.
 



Time to start planning...

Arriving this morning at my school, I received another friendly hello (Ya su Jonathan!) from the receptionist. It has been fun to practice my Greek and learn some new vocabulary, although remembering this new vocabulary is another thing altogether! More tales of my Greek speaking adventures to come. I have now received all my class schedules for the school year! This looks quite daunting but my approach will be very much one week at a time. I have decided to plan all my week 1 lessons this week (that's about 15 lessons) so that I am as prepared as I can be going into this term. Please pray for me as I seek to do this. Also pray on for my relationships with colleagues. I would really like to get to know the teachers and staff at my school and hope that it will become clear soon that I am a Christian.

Time to start planning

This is also true for my neighbours who I am really enjoying getting to know. The lady from the flower shop who kindly taught me how to make Greek coffee yesterday offered to make me another this evening. As I sat there with my coffee and cake (and my phrasebook) I learnt a few more words. Occasionally she would spring a question on me -  what's that? - errrrrrr - it's a cake and a coffee (in Greek of course).

It's funny, I now know what it must have been like for all those English language students I met when helping with the Explore Bible study at Ebbe's. I remember thinking (no offense intended) that people learning a foreign language have an almost childlike demeanour, It might be due to the fact that having a limited grasp of the language means they have no choice but to converse in a very simple and slow manner. Not only this, but they are also far more dependent on the listener to help them as they desperately seek to construct a meaningful sentence. I can now see myself in this way. My attempts (often failed attempts) to speak the language has made me seriously consider getting lessons. I'm going to explore this a bit more and talk with some friends (English) who have been in Athens what they might recommend. Will undoubtedly have more Greek language stories to share in the coming week.

Another chapel on the way up
Lykavitos.

View over Athens. You can just
about see the Acropolis.

    



















Tomorrow evening I am God-willing going to attend the weekly Bible study at Glyfada Christian Centre. I am looking forward to seeing people who I met on Sunday again and it will also be a great opportunity to get to know the church better. Please pray that it is a good time both spiritually as I feed on God's word, but also relationally as I seek to make friends and find a church community to whom I can really serve and belong. I have been at St Ebbe's in Oxford now for just over 7 years and so as you can imagine joining a new church community feels like a strange process. Essentially we all know that God's church are the people of God (1 Peter 2:4-6)! Yet please pray that I do settle quickly into a local church and find a place where I can continue to grow in my faith.    

1 week in...

It is strange to think that this time 1 week ago I was sitting on a plane flying to Athens, now I am sitting on a chair blogging in Athens! My first week has been full of challenges but also many things to be thankful for. I have received a really warm welcome from my landlady, friends, the Glyfada Christian centre and today my school where I will be working. Above all I have been kept secure in the knowledge that wherever I go - God is with me! Over the last week I have felt a bit like an urban explorer making my way through the unknown.

I am now officially in Greece!

There have been many obstacles to contend with, the language barrier, unfamiliar surroundings, unfamiliar supermarkets, oh and not forgetting, the tax office! But praise God that slowly (very slowly) I am learning more Greek each day, my surroundings are getting more familiar, I now know that the supermarket has two floors! Oh and I am officially in Greece after tax office success! Give thanks to the Lord for answering prayers and please continue to pray for me as I adjust to life in Athens. God-willing by the end of this week I should have all my paperwork sorted and will be able to leave that to one side (for now).

Today was my first day at the language school and it was a really good time. After my success at the tax office, I got a taxi and arrived at the school in good time. I was welcomed into the school and spent the morning chatting through many things with the director of studies. I was made to feel very relaxed and it was good to get a clearer understanding of what I will be doing over the year. Lessons don't start until the 18th September so I have a good length of time to read and prepare for my lessons. I was actually getting excited last night as I pondered how I might teach some of my lessons. So long as I concentrate on the level criteria for my classes, I pretty much have free scope when it comes to teaching. I would really value your prayers at this time as this is my first 'real' teaching post, if I can put it like that. Please pray that I settle in to the school, get to know my colleagues and above all do my work to the glory of God!

Discovery of the week! Bread and milk
from the bakery across the road - €2.10
  

Monday is market day!

 This evening is a slightly milder 28°C so I might venture out for a short walk. Thank you again for all your prayers and I hope that everything is going well where you are.