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. :)