I don't want to go!

No, I don't want to go yet!  May 1st marks my 3 month tourist visa and I'm supposed to be out of the Schengen countries.  All Schengen countries are part of the E.U. but not all E.U. countries (like England, Ireland, Scotland) are part of the Schengen countries.  Poor Greece.  They're a mess and at a time like this when they need income they're stuck and have to make sure all passports show a person staying 3 months or less.  I've come to love Greece.  Not only for the history but for their love of family & warmth to crazy American strangers such as myself and the quirky way they do things.  Today I found out all checks, few and far between, are signed by the last name first, then the first name.  All legal documents are signed this way.  Odd, but okay.  They just do things different than we do and that doesn't make them/us wrong or right.

I fell in love with all the people working for Hellenic Ministries.  All of them speak Greek, most speak english and a few speak a little english.  I loved being on the finance team and serving under Stephan Calhoun, with his wife Mary making them a team who made sure I was okay.  I'm a big observer (airports are great for viewing people and their quirks).  I observed Stephan deal with very frustrating issues and never once lose his temper.  One morning specifically I went in and my heart was so heavy.  Sometimes I have dreams of my life before being single again.  I wake up and don't know where I am or if I'm married. One morning was particularly bad.  Most of the guys and some gals too ride motorcycles because it is economical and faster travel, Stephan included.  He came in and checked with each member of his team and when he got to me he saw a wounded soldier.  He asked me if it was the thyroid problem; I said no.  He asked me if it was the H1N1 flu; I said no. I told him I was grieving extra heavily that day and instantly he went from a genius CFO to a kind and gentle pastor, praying with me and encouraging me.  I was amazed and so grateful! One other victory I've had here is complete disuse of pain medication!  It has really made a difference in my clarity of mind.

I haven't written in a while because I've been helping in the office and in my free time I've been wandering around, spanning out from my neighbourhood. People and families don't come out to eat or socialise until after 9:00 p.m. I'm usually in bed by 9:30 plus I never had any reason to stay out (no dates).  Every where I went I spoke english.  Every one was happy to try their english with me and most of them did very well.  I had developed a nice relationship with my mini mart guy who made sure I always had my favourite juice in stock.  All he knew was greeting me with the standard "yasso!" to which I replied the same.

Then there was the video store rental man who I saw twice a week.  I was such a mess when I first went in there to join.  I didn't even know my address!  I began carrying it in my pocket, as recommended by my Dad. I also put an emergency number on it.  I had taken a picture of my passport and tried to show him.  His name is Michael, which is the same as mine, Michelle, in Europe.  He ended up with a hearty laugh and signed me up.  I pulled out my monopoly money (that's what the Euro looks like to me) and held it to him to take whatever i owed.  I never had any one try to cheat me.

Then there was Ellen who ran the patisserie where I got my baklava from (yes, I gained 10 lbs, boo hoo).  I finally got sick of it and stopped. I walked around the neighbourhood square that had restaurants and coffee shops all around the perimeter, a soccer field in the middle, a church (orthodox) on one end and the children's hospital at the other end.  It was a busy place and at night was when people came out and enjoyed one another plus their children loved playing in the square.

One morning I was walking to get some juice and saw two different people at different locations dumpster diving for something to drink or eat.  I couldn't tell if they had a drinking problem or what, but my heart grieved for them.  The economy and politics here is a mess.  Of course the U.S. is no different with our out of control debt.  The only difference is because Greece belongs to the E.U. they can't print their own money like we do.

Today I had an extensive medical workup and my EKG showed a slight problem.  One building had an internist, cardiologist and surgeon.  All surgery required bloodworm, chest X-ray, and seeing the three doctors.  When I get home I have to go see a cardiologist and have another EKG.  He did say it could be the result of the H1N1 virus.  After specific surgeries, the patient stays over night for observation.  That's where I am right now.  It was a female issue that I hadn't had the opportunity to do until the inexpensive prices here.

Greece is a socialist country.  All education is free, every one has health care (they must have a job though).  Many of the industries are state owned.  Each one of the doctors I spoke with today were happy to have an American to speak with and practice their english. Every where I went workers remembered me and loved to talk.  I thought I was having a conversation with my minimart guy only to realise in the middle that he didn't understand a single word I was saying; he just smiled. It was quite humorous!  

My anaesthesiologist brought her husband, also an anaesthesia guy, to check on me before dinner.  She talked extensively with me about the terrible public education and some other problems.  She said she was fortunate to be able to send her 10 yr old son to private education, among other things.  She wants to bring him in to practice his english with me.  I'm happy to accommodate!  She was one of the best doctor's I've ever met.  All the doctors were very personable and none used the title "doctor".  Being a socialistic country, they had free medical education.  I'm not sure if their salaries are limited or not.

I tend to be a routine person.  I like routines, not change.  I finally came to that point after the first month.  And now I'm very comfortable in my little apartment.  I haven't been cooking at all.  I've been eating fresh fruit (great pears!), crackers, juice and some yogurt.  Sometimes I went to the square and found a greek restaurant that had pre-cooked meals.  Most the meals fed me for two days and it was all excellent.  Surprisingly a gyro costs 2E and was very filling; but a meal at the square is 7E.  At the office I discovered The Noodle, a chinese restaurant.  It was delicious but it cost 9E.  One of the other missionaries teetered on what to eat.

Every missionary has to raise their own support so their budgets are tight.  Andrew was the one who teetered; he is a Canadian and also a genius.  He managed the missionary's server and other tasks. There were 4 of us single women, all the rest were married, or their husbands worked and the wife stayed home to take care of the children.  I loved to see the children being taught Greek in school.  I' always wished I could've put my young sons in a similar language program.  When I went to Galatas for a weekend, another woman and her daughter were also there. The mother is french, the father is german.  she speaks only french to their two daughters and he speaks only german.  Both daughters are learning english in school. Oh how I wished I'd had that education.  I find it quite interesting that all these small countries in the EU have their own language and most learn at least one of the other languages plus english.

Well I haven't decided whether I will leave May 1 or go to Rome and stay a few extra days.  My doctor has said he would give me a note that I cannot fly to the US after surgery.  I love Rome!  I was fortunate to find my apartment which at such a bargain of $550 per month.  Food I would have to pay where I am so I don't count that as a missionary expense.  By the way, I stopped getting lost after 3 weeks!  I began to see some of the same people walking around and I felt comfortable in my little niche and at the HM office. I think I paid about 150E on taxi's in my job to visit all the HM ministries which were all over the place in Athens.

I'm so thankful for those of you who donated!  Even the $25 donation was a blessing!  I've never gone on a mission trip and here the Lord sends me for three months to Greece. I've always been an adventurer at heart and sure that I can do anything with the Lord behind me.  On my 19th birthday, i left Michigan in my little lime green VW Rabbit packed with all my belongings and moved to Tampa.  I got a job, found a place to stay and began my life. I knew I didn't want to put down roots in Michigan because of the grey winters. It was either Colorado or Florida.  I waited a year got my instate tuition and began at the University of South Florida. I loved Colorado at Christmas with my brother and his family.  I think I may consider moving to Colorado, LOL!

I'm so very thankful to have accumulated miles on American and United so I can get a $2,500 ticket home for 30k miles!  Such a deal.  I've done that by charging all my bills on a mileage credit card and then paying the card off when my income comes in.  I believe they call that mileage hijacking.  It's been very beneficial for me.

Time to say goodbye and I'll write again after I figure out my return schedule.

Bless you all!
Missy Plum

Hello, I'm back!  Still recovering from that H1N1 Swine flu bug.  It really knocked me on my butt.  Yesterday I was able to spend a few hours in the HM office but then got too weak and had to call it a day.  Thankfully my "boss" is very understanding and has learned to keep his peace by rolling with the punches. I'm so fortunate to have him, and his wife.  Together they make a wonderful team and she has helped me when I've been so sick.  I had no idea how serious the H1N1 virus is...people are dying from it.  Back in 2012 I came down with pneumonia while out of town.  I'd never had it before and just thought I had bronchitis.  I spent 5 days in that lovely hospital.  Ever since then, if I start to cough deeply, I run to the ER.  I don't want to mess with that again.  I think I was able to recover faster than normal was because the first day I felt really sick I made it to the ER and spent 4 days in the Athens hospital.  It was very nice and all the nurses were interested in the American in room 532. It was another of those experiences along my journey that I don't regret, and was very comfortable there.

Two weekends ago I rented a car and drove to Galatos which sits on the Greek mainland on the sea front.  I found a lovely room through airbnb that was up on a hillside with amazing views.  It was relaxing and peaceful, just what I needed.  I took a cab to Avis, got a little rental car and drove to Galatos.  The day I was to leave I got all packed and ready to leave when I realised the battery was dead.  I wasn't going anywhere!  I'm so used to my car back home that has auto lights.  I forgot to turn the lights off and voila! a dead battery.  My hostess called a neighbour and two guys came to help.  Next problem was we couldn't find the latched to open the hood.  The guys read all the manuals and couldn't find anything. Finally one of them thought to google it. Smart guy!  The latch release was under the front emblem when you turn it sideways.  It was the craziest thing I've ever seen.  So, they got the car started and off I went on my 2.5 hour voyage back to Athens.

Along the drive back I decided to listen to some playlists I have on my phone.  What I didn't realise was quickly that would drain my battery.  I always travel with an external battery back up, but it ate that up in 30 minutes.  Coming into huge Athens I had no map and no idea of how to get back to Avis.  I drove round and round the Parliament building and old downtown.  I really have had enough of being lost!  I finally pulled into a gas station where the owner give me preliminary directions. I was getting back in my car when a taxi drive was just paying for his gas.  I went over and asked him if he would let me follow him to Avis but first I needed an ATM to pay him.  That was the best 6E I've ever spent!  I got the car returned, caught a taxi to my flat and dropped on my bed after the almost unbelievable day.  All along the way I was praying and asking God to help me.  That taxi driver was in the right place at the right time and I was so grateful!

A couple weeks back a friend on Facebook started a conversation on the refugee crisis and asked me for my input as I am here on the ground.  I was still in the hospital and said I'd get back after I was well.  I really didn't want to get involved in a conversation with people who had no clue what they were talking about.  I gave the basic info.  I'm proud to be with an organisation that is on the ground helping these people.  There are many NGO's (non-governmental organisations) that are working together to help these people.  If you sit down and hear their stories you may weep like I did.  How could any one turn away people who are being slaughtered in their homeland and are completely defenceless.  I don't want to talk politics, I want to meet real needs from people who are fighting for their lives.  I was talking with my sister about this issue and she said it reminds her of the Jews that fled nazi Germany.  I'm not going to compare that horrific atrocity Hitler brought about; there's no way to compare those two other than human suffering.

Before I came February 1st to Greece many of my friends were concerned about a hidden agenda, like perhaps it's a trojan horse.  It wasn't until I crossed paths with these families who are broken down and in deep need.  While I was at the inner city site for helping these people, I learned from the director that they're doing bible studies with the men and about 40-50% are converting to Christianity.  Apparently they've been so brainwashed and not allowed to think for themselves, mainly led by fear of those mad men trying to destroy these people.  It's sickening to see what they've gone through and like the Jews, the world just watches it, thens go back to whatever they were doing, maybe saying a prayer.  I still can't get over 40-50% of muslims running for their lives converting to Christianity once they've found help.

I'm not here only to do some needed accounting, but to do whatever else the Lord leads.  Helping these people is also a needed.  Every time I've tried to make it to Monday night when HM (my NGO) feeds the homeless and needy, something gets in my way.  This flu has really intruded in my desire to help more.  I have to leave May 1st, which is the 3 month period allowed for a tourist visa.  According to the Schengen rules, I can be in the European Union for 3 months, then must leave the EU and can't come back until another 6 months.  I'm bummed about that because it's only 3 weeks around the corner.  I'm definitely going back home to see my youngest before he heads west working in Alaska and hoping to find a job in Idaho where we have friends who have welcomed him.  He may not even come back for Christmas, but I think he will.

I'm praying now about whether I want to be a full time missionary or what.  It's really nice because if I'm not feeling up to it, I can rest and no one will judge me.  They're thankful for the help and appreciate whatever I can give. For now, I've been working from my flat but I'm feeling tired and think it's time I rest.

Blessings to all,
M