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