Our First Day in Athens!

Our first day in Athens! (Brittany's perspective)

Waking up in a new country is a odd thing. The car horns sound different and everything smells different. There is a possibility the smell though is from our traveling clothes that are laying in the corner of our room. Our trip here seemed to be never ending. It feels so good to finally be here!

Our day began later, as most of us slept in, and then we had breakfast as well as a team Bible study. We read through Acts 17 and talked about Paul at the acropolis. And then we got up and headed to where he actually stood. Of course, we stopped at many shops and stores in the flea market on the way. It was so crowded and noisy. There were tourist shops, sketchy antique shops, people selling fake name brand clothing and then one fantastic painting shop! I feel in love with all of this guys paintings. I don't know how many of his pieces I will come back with but it will be more then one. Oh! And then we stopped to eat and it was wonderful. I don't think there will be any food here that I don't like. We made it to the top! Looking over Athens was incredible!

The weather so far has been wonderful and warm. The hike was beautiful and we enjoyed our time in the sun very much. Being a little sunburnt definitely beats getting frostbite in Mt.Lake.

We continued our hike up Mars hills and saw all the ruins. We wandered around there for most of the afternoon. It was so odd to watch couples and families stroll around the ruins with so little interest. Realizing that this is just a normal Sunday afternoon is mind blowing. What is a once in a lifetime experience for most of us, is just a typical walk in a park for the people who live here.

 We made it back to the mission before suppertime and helped them prep for the upcoming party. The Persian new year is the 20th and they were having a sermon and supper for everyone. And by everyone I mean EVERYONE! We must have set places for at least 100 people and I'm sure there were at least 150 in the building. And that's not including the kids. The building was very full. It was like a crash course into the culture. I was hesitant at first as I was in the basement helping with the kids, but it turns out kids in any culture are basically the same. You still  have the trouble makers, the psycho ones, the sweet ones and the quiet ones.

Oh and then the ones that just love you.....

Both Bailey and Daniel had a little tag along by the end of the night.

The end of the party turned into a dance party. Dad(Bruce) dancing with his new found friends was definitely a highlight. I wish I had a picture but I don't! I am truly sorry, it was kind of fantastic.... not to mention very funny. After everyone had left we cleaned and then all the people working got a chance to eat. And thus, concluded our day.

 

 

This first day was really amazing. Exhausting but amazing. I have only heard a few stories, but the lives these refugees have lived is like nothing I could have imagined. The pain and the struggles they have faced is heartbreaking. I have been blessed greatly to live in America and to have the family I have.

 

There is so much more that I could write about, but I will stop for now and hopefully the team will let me write again!

 

Thank you all who helped in making this trip possible! And thank for your prayers!

~Brittany