perspective

I've been spending some time with M., an Albanian girl who used to work the streets. She's been in Greece for a couple of years now, and is finding it difficult to get a job (she doesn't have papers) that pays more that 20 euro a day. The average wage here in Greece is about 700 euro a month, which is nothing. Cost of living is high - and so is unemployment.

With the possibility of making nearly a month's wages in one night, it's easy to see why leaving the "security" of pr0stitution can be difficult. There is no guarantee that you'll be able to survive doing anything else. Add to that the social stigma - M. can't go back to her family in Albania because the shame is too great - and a plethora of other factors, and it's easy to find yourself in an impossible situation. Stuck.

M. and I bonded over a common experience - being in a foreign country where it feels like no one really cares about you. (This realization has hit me hard in the last couple weeks; it's been kind of disconcerting.) No family or community or structure - she is feeling it all, and I can completely identify.

It's an interesting perspective; ideally ministries would be run by locals who have a heart for it. (This is difficult in Greece, as volunteering and extra ministries aren't really a valued part of the culture - there has been difficulty in finding Greeks to take leadership in these ministries.) But if you think about it, for a ministry like mine, like Nea Zoi, like the refugee ministries here, in many ways we as foreigners are better equipped to work with these populations. We've been through the pain and discomfort of trying to learn the language, trying to get through legal hoops and paperwork, learning the system. We know how it feels to be an outsider, away from home, never quite comfortable. When someone pointed out that my public hospital experience was a way in which I can better relate to what these women face, I appreciated the perspective.

It's not ideal; I believe local people should run and lead ministries (where they're able to). But as foreigners we do have a unique ability to relate to those who have the same plight: foreigners reaching foreigners. Obviously our life circumstances are different, our standards of living are different, and frankly in many ways I think they often adapt better and more quickly than we Westerners do, out of necessity (no one speaks Albanian or Arabic in the general population here). But in general we have shared experiences as foreigners that give us a unique perspective that most Greeks do not have. It's an interesting concept.

just a day at the gym.

Characters:
Vasilis: A very friendly mentally disabled guy, quite round and always very happy. We have met before at the gym and I've seen him around Piraeus, but he introduces himself every time he sees me. English vocabulary: "beeouuutiful voomahn" and "let's go to the hotel california."
Kostas: The 50-something owner of the gym, great guy, has been very helpful with my knee and speaks English though tries to get me to speak Greek.
Angelos (because I refuse to call him "Angel" as he introduced himself months ago): Greek American, grew up in New York but now lives in Greece. Rides a Harley. Tattoo artist. Covered in tats and long stringy black ponytail (and I mean long). Big guy, probably in his 40s. Winks a lot, grins and sticks his tongue out. Has asked me to coffee and for rides on his harley, from which I have thus far escaped. Nice guy, just lonely.
Me

Today's dialogue (Italics were spoken in Greek):
I am finishing up my last few weight machines. Had already acknowleged Kostas and Angelos, and I'm listening to music, like always...
Vasilis: Hi! I'm Vasilis (reaches to shake my hand)!
Me: I'm Kelsey (I shake his hand. We've done this before.)
Vasilis: Pos? (means "how" as in "how do you call yourself" as in "What"?)
Me: Kelsey
(Repeat three times)
Vasilis: Aaaahhhh!!! (Light goes on, remembers I'm a foreigner.) You're from...Brazil!
Me: No, from America.
Vasilis: Aaaahhh!!! America!!! An American! (Looks around excitedly, starts to yell to everyone that I am from America.)
Me: Uh, no!! No! Wait, no!
Vasilis: Where in America?
Me: California.
Vasilis: Aaaahhhh!!! Hotel California! (sings) Let's go to the hotel California! Do you speak English?
Me (starting to laugh): Yes [first answered in Spanish, oops] of course I speak English.
Vasilis: You speak like Greek Voomahn!

Vasilis looks around, announcing to anyone who will listen that I'm an Americanida, from the Hotel California. He goes over to an uninterested man reading a newspaper at a table [WHY do people go to the gym to sit and read the paper and magazines?]
Vasilis: She's American! From California! Let's go to the hotel California!!
Uninterested man (barely glancing at me): Such a lovely place!

Vasilis returns to me, Kostas approaching, seeing the commotion.
Kostas: Be good, Vasilis.
Vasilis: Let's go to the hotel california! Kosta, she's an American!
Kostas (sits down on a nearby machine): Hotel California? (An amused smile starting to spread across his face)
Vasilis: Do you know she's American? She's from California! Like the Hotel California! Let's to go the Hotel California! She speaks Greek!
Kostas (now laughing): Yes, she is American, and she speaks English...
Vasilis is full on singing Hotel California now and Kostas and I are laughing. Kostas gets up to help someone.

Angelos is walking [strutting] by.
Vasilis: Angeli! Hey! She's American!
Angelos (tough guy): Yeah, so what? So what? (winks at me)
Vasilis: Well, she is American, you are American, you should be together!
Angelos: (smiling) He says that we are both American and we should get married. (Turns to Vasilis) I'm an ugly biker and she's a beautiful girl, she'd never go for it. (Repeats in Greek as he's walking away.)
Vasilis thinks this is hilarious. HI-larious. Giggles for quite awhile.

I get up to move on.
Vasilis: Where are you going?!?!?
(Repeat several times as I finish up on the machines.)
Vasilis giggles periodically over the next several minutes and repeats Angelos' words to anyone who passes by.

I finish.
Me: Bye, Vasilis, have a good day.
Vasilis: But where are you going?! (looks devastated)
Me: I have a Greek lesson...
Vasilis (looking deep into my eyes, telling me sweet nothings. I understand the words beautiful and model but nothing else and I am trying not to laugh)
Me: Sorry, I don't understand.
Repeat scenario three times. He says the same thing each time with more heart in it.)
Vasilis: Bee-YOO-ti-full... I don't know how to say it.
Kelsey (avoiding holding his hand): Ok, thanks, bye Vasilis!
Bye to Angelos, bye to Kostas.

Later at my Greek lesson, I described the situation to Voula because I was amused, and Voula said she thinks she has encountered Vasilis before, on the bus. He asked her to have coffee with him. Ha.

My gym membership ends in July, after which I'll look for one closer to my new home. It won't be nearly as entertaining though! (I haven't even told you about Hercules or Giorgos the salsa dancer or anyone else.) I will miss my gym. :)

Henceforth, this is where you may find me on the weekends.

Sunday was a perfect day for the beach. Except, in Athens, you can take a short, cheap ferry ride and be on an island in less than an hour! We spent all day pretty much like this on our new beach of choice on Agistri:

It's a short hike to this beach, along the coast:It is surrounded by cliffs, so you have to climb down to get there. Agistri has free camping, so there are a lot of tents sprinkled around the island and plenty of people sleeping on the beaches. (This one reminded us of that movie "The Beach.") Britt and Nic actually slept there last night, and we may go back next weekend (at least for a day, if not overnight again).

Just one note of caution with some of these beaches...yowza!!!"clothing optional"

Found my new summer getaway place!! (I'll be keeping my clothes on.) (And using a little more sunscreen next time.)

Today...

Walked the loop I've been running around the hills and then climbed Philopappou Hill for some gorgeous views on this beautiful day!

6 months cont'd (for lack of a better title)

Funny, as I have been thinking about this and writing it this week I've been having some retroactive stress or something. Since I've been back from France I feel like I've been getting the minimum done and can't do much more. I think the last month and a half - moving, traveling, buying all furniture and appliances, figuring out how to pay rent, bills, etc. in Greek, not having things delivered on time, preparing for and teaching this class each week, organizational-relational issues and confrontations, added to just generally living in a foreign place - have added up to quite a bit of stress that I "successfully" managed to stuff deep down inside by not thinking about any of it. I guess yesterday, when I pretty much didn't leave the couch all day, means it's catching up to me!?

A visiting friend last week said, "Clearly you're under quite a bit of stress." Whatever, I don't get stressed, I thought. Nevermind that I just freaked out that you left my living room window open as we left the house for the day (don't you KNOW that people BREAK IN to HOUSES here?!?!). Ok, maybe a little stress. :)

Moving right along...6 months - wow, right? It's gone so fast. Feels like a few days and an eternity all at once.

4. Ministry. I must say it really helps me to sit down and write my monthly update letters. (Hmm, speaking of which, I need to get on that for May!) It reminds me how much we have going on after only six months. It's been a challenge finding our place here, figuring out what we're doing and what we're going to focus on and how to interact with others. I had always planned to spend my first year meeting people, learning how things work here, and learning Greek. I can safely say I've been accomplishing those things - so the other things are little bonuses. We're doing our Hands That Heal training for the second time and have had some other awareness speaking engagements and events. Raising awareness about human trafficking and prostitution is a big job here, and will take a collaborative effort. I've also enjoyed volunteering with Nea Zoi (New Life) doing outreach to the women and men on the streets and in brothels, and look forward to being more involved with them this summer. On the horizon...organizing a possible international conference, more trainings, and many other awareness events.

5. Culture. Oh, the Greeks. :) I used to catch myself rolling my eyes or shaking my head at people who did not conform to my American standards of how to walk correctly (straight!) on a busy sidewalk, how to stand in line, how to get things done in the most efficient manner, RSVPing, saying "thank you," planning in advance, not talking about people's weight and how much they make, etc. It's easy to lump everyone into the category "The Greeks" (in that tone) when you don't speak their language and everything is foreign. From time to time God brought human contact with real Greek people into my life to remind me that they are people too. :) Ha ha. But really, you just learn to roll with the punches. I have found myself adapting in funny ways - learning when it's ok to be 20 minutes late (and being 20 minutes late!), staying up late at a cafe with friends (I am still not sure if anyone actually works here), eating lunch at 4pm. Many things still baffle me and I know I will never fully fit in. I use that as license to wear flip flops (they don't) and speak English when I need to, but for the most part I do my best to adapt and keep learning. There are so many great things to learn, experience, and take part in, so aside from a few major anxiety-inducing events, it's been pretty smooth. :)

6. Long term plans?? Oh, wouldn't you like to know. I will at least be here through next March since that's when my lease on my apartment ends (actually it's two years, but we added a clause that I can leave after a year without penalty). I plan to come home for Christmas, and I'm at that point where I'm praying about staying longer here. There really is much to be done, and as things slowly start to fall into place and I can see a role for myself longer than one year, it begins to seem more like a reality. We'll see - keep it in prayer for me if you think of it. It involves raising more support when I'm back in the States, too, which is another factor. But really, I can see myself here for awhile and I'd like to try, if that's in The Plan. We'll see.

All in all, I think we're doing ok. :)

6 months

A taverna in Hania, Crete

Time flies...

[This got kind of long, so I've made it two posts, next one coming shortly.]

Some observations after six months (roughly - I've probably been out of the country about 4-5 weeks total during that time) in Greece:

1. Language - gah. That is about it. I just started lessons again this week after six weeks off due to traveling, visitors, and holidays. Greek is a lot harder than I thought. My Spanish is great - in France I was able to spend time with some girls from Spain who didn't speak any English and got along just fine. I thought the other language would help in learning a third, and it has been helpful, without a doubt, but the simple fact is that Greek is just HARD. I also have not grown up hearing it as I did with Spanish - all the sounds were unfamiliar. I can get by with what I know here, and have people telling me I do pretty well, but still have a hard time understanding when spoken to. The other problem is that everyone speaks English, and rarely will they speak Greek to you when they know you are a foreigner. Without being forced to use Greek, it's been difficult to be really disciplined to use it. Pressing on!

2. Community/friends. I've been blessed with several new friends over the last few months. I meet with two every week for a study of John, and have several others that I can call to hang out, get dinner, watch a movie, or sit and chat. :) One lives just two blocks from me and knows everyone in our neighborhood, so I'm slowly starting to get to know people here, too. One cool thing, I've decided to start some kind of something for the single women here (since there are so many of us and since I have this whole house now, might as well use it!). I'm planning on having a bunch of them over in the next couple weeks to talk about what kind of regular thing we could do. I have a few ideas. I'm excited about this, it's something that's been on my heart for a couple of months now. Church-wise, I've been going to a Greek church, and while the language stuff is challenging (they do have translation), I'm trying to be consistent and look for places to plug in. The pastor is great; he pastored a Greek church in Boston for several years (incidentally, with Barry Corey, for you Biola people). It's all coming along, slowly but surely. One bummer I've mentioned before is that there are many short-termers who come - you become friends, hang out a lot, then they leave. That's never fun.

3. Heath. More specifically, my knee: Well, I've been running occasionally, which is huge! Being consistent at the gym has helped strengthen my leg again which has made be able to run without pain, if only once or twice a week (don't want to push it). Elsewhere, it has been a bit of a struggle for me to find the sleeping/eating rhythm, especially without a regular schedule and having to learn things I can cook here. (Though I never cooked much before - pitifully, I miss Lean Cuisines!) I am tired a lot, which I realize is largely underlying stress that comes from being in an unfamiliar setting all the time. But I'm working on getting enough sleep on a regular basis, and it's a wonder what that does. :)

Ok, next time...Ministry, cultural stuff, and long term plans or observations! :)

Eurovision!

Last night Europe was gathered around TV screens in houses and bars and restaurants for Eurovision, Europe's biggest (and cheesiest?) song contest. I guess it used to be cool, but now it is like American Idol for European hopefuls. Each country sends their best rising star to compete. The prelims were Thursday, and then last night was the contest for the top 25 songs, in Moscow this year (the winning country hosts the following year).

This year's big winner was Norway - and please watch the unbelievable video above and tell me how this was voted the best song?! It was a landslide as the votes poured in from around Europe - each country has points they can assign as people text or call in their votes, and you can't vote for your own country. Norway kept getting the top scores, and we couldn't exactly figure out why!? Sometimes the goofy acts win, sometimes good songs actually win; I have heard that this Norway song reminds people of the Eurovision of old, back when it was the premiere song contest of Europe and people actually made careers out of their success (ever heard of ABBA or Celine Dion?).

Greece won a few years ago and consequently hosted the next year; this was right around the Olympics. I'll just tell you that this country has no problem with self image; national pride runs pretty high, and Eurovision is no exception. Our entry was Sakis Rouvas, who strangely already has had a huge career, already has been to Eurovision (and hosted it), and is past his glory days when he was hands down the most popular pop star in the country. He's pretty, shallow, and completely ridiculous amazing (I put his video below - of course most Greeks in the bar with us last night cheered loudly and thought his performance was the best of the night). The song, whose lyrics Sakis claims are "really deep" and "powerful," has been stuck in my head for about two months (along with the ridiculous dance moves - don't try those at home unless you have a chiropracter nearby).

But really? I'm in love with a fairytale? The WINNER? Eesh.

Raison d'être

Lyon river front

I wrote a bit on my other blog about the conference in France (copied below). As I mentioned, while there was no new information, I did enjoy hearing about others' work and ministry, what they've tried and what has/has not worked. There were many ministries in all different phases and stages. I wish there had been more time for meeting people and networking - although I have learned that I am not so good at the networking thing! I think it's definitely a skill to be developed. I don't naturally go up and schmooze with all the people in the room that I don't know (maybe it's a bad sign that I equate networking with schmoozing), so it's a bit of a stretch for me. It's like speed dating or something (I've never actually done that); you have to meet people and find out all about them, tell them about you, and make some connection that could be valuable to a future working relationship - all within a few minutes. Then on to the next person. So much pressure! I would rather find the girl I'm rooming with or the one I had lunch with that day and continue a previous conversation. Anyway. :)

Just a couple of thoughts from the conference...

One wonderful French pastor [he was SO DARLING] shared his testimony through a translator and I just loved it – he and a couple people from his church noticed the African women in their town “working the streets.” He felt led to invite them to an event at his church, and after ignoring the leading several times on his way home one night, he finally turned his car around and drove back to the women. He quickly told them about the event and sped off. Shocked when they actually showed up, he and a couple young women from his church began visiting them regularly on their street, bringing coffee and cookies. This has turned into a regular ministry and close relationships between he and his wife and some of the girls.

I was encouraged by a recurring theme over the week – “Start small.” I wrestle with the “smallness” of what I’m doing sometimes, but every ministry has small beginnings. I’ve had to remind myself of this a few times in the last 6 months. Even the large ministries that were there, with programs and rescue stories and volunteers galore, began with a few people who saw a need and tried to figure out the best way to meet it. Often they failed and often they wanted to quit. But, when God gives vision, he gives the means and direction – eventually.

Sacré bleu!

Friend in town...taught a class tonight...had to prepare all day = no blogging. :) But the class is done (until next week anyway) and it went very well - I'll tell you about it tomorrow(ish). For now, here are some pictures from France, if you haven't already seen them on Facebook. :)

Savoir-faire

Hellooooooooooo!

Finally have an internet connection here. I will be home tomorrow when I will be free to share with you all the glorious details of my trip. The photo above, which I did not take, but this person did, is a famous restaurant in Lyon that I ate at with my "roommate" on our last evening in Lyon. I had one of the most interesting things I have ever eaten (and I have eaten a few interesting things in my day) ... asparagus flan. Gag all you want, but I actually really liked it. It was in the shape and texture of flan, but it definitely tasted like asparagus. It was the side dish to my lovely little slices of overpriced chicken. :)

The conference was good. I didn't really learn any new (to me) information on human trafficking as much as it was so good to be re-inspired and to be with people who have similar passions. I guess when you're working alone, as I often feel like I am, it's difficult to maintain the passion and enthusiasm. It was just refreshing to be reminded that people care about the issue, powerful things are happening, and there is support. I was encouraged by some of the leaders in the field who knew of me and let me know I am doing a good job!

I'll have to share specific things that struck me over the next few posts. My roommate, Irene, was from Switzerland. She has kids almost my age, and she is the director for several programs across Europe. We had a fun time exploring Lyon in our free time (which was scant, but we crammed it into our breaks and stayed up too late).

Thanks to a generous supporter & friend, I am in Paris for the weekend! I'm really blessed. I am a little anxious to return to Athens, as I have a bit of work to do before our human trafficking class starts on Tuesday night. My friend has several missionary friends here, so we've been able to spend time with some really great families over the last couple days. I've enjoyed that time almost more than the "Paris things." Almost. :) I'll share more about the trip this week!

that is NOT French's mustard!

Bonjour! It's a sunny morning in Lyon, France. Arrived yesterday and the conference started last night. There are Christians from 14 European countries here, all here to pray and discuss human trafficking in Europe. I'm excited to be a part of it!

On the plane on the way here (Lufthansa), I was fascinated by the German flight attendant - I had forgotten what natural blonde hair looks like! :) We have plenty of "blondes" in Greece, but it looks so different when it actually grows out of your head that color!

I was so tired when I got here yesterday that I went to Subway. Don't judge; I'll have plenty of time for French food. It was right by my hotel, my stomach was a little funny, and a good old familiar sandwich was just what it wanted. I got my usual, and pointed at the bottle that said "mustard" to top it off.

As I sat down to eat, I got out my conference materials to read through the packet. I took a bite of my sandwich...the mustard had a little kick to it! It was horseradishy or something, but it was a good flavor. By the time I was halfway in, I was trying to prevent my watery eyes from spilling over - the mustard was nearly choking my throat as there was (is there a word for this?) a very distinct piquant feeling - not burning, so much, as horse-radishing. By the time I had to take out the innards of the sandwich, drenched in mustard, for the last few bites, there were tears. Thankfully there weren't many people in there and no one noticed me crying over the conference speaker bios. Wow, my throat kind of closes up right now just thinking about it. Whew!

Anyhow, I don't speak a lick of French (besides what I learned from the educational Foux da fa fa video), but I'm pretty used to not understanding anything around me, so oh well. :) Bye for now.....

I taught a college class today.

So that was fun.

I am trying to motivate myself to clean and pack. Really, not too much to ask of myself, but I'd rather sit and stare at my papers and files everywhere than pick them up.

The thing about speaking with a translator is that either you have time to regroup and think of how you're going to say your next point (as you are being translated), or you have time to completely lose your train of thought (as you are being translated). Then they stop and everyone looks at you expectantly and you have nothing to say. :)

Anyway, the class went really well. It's all stuff I'd taught before. We made some great contacts, including several students signing up for our class that starts in two weeks. And, the college is going to offer independent study credit for it!

I also found out this week that the director of a large ministry here has signed up for the course. They work with refugees and he said he feels like his heart is being stirred for this human trafficking issue.

My prayer has been for seven people to come to this small group course; we have exactly that number who have officially registered (which means nothing in Greece). It starts the day after I get back from France, so it's just about here.

An unrelated note: I am just atingle with euphoria about my 3:45 am taxi pickup in the morning. I suppose the good thing is I'll be in France on the other side. Maybe my lack of sleep will help me fit in with the French attitude. ;)

to hold you over...

Ok, so I am slowly putting this house together. Nothing is completely done, but the living room is the most done, and it's where I spend all my time. And it doesn't fit in my camera. So here's a bit of it. For now. More later.
(That's a couch, with a back, that folds down into a bed, so feel free come and try it out!)