There is not much about my life right now that is remotely similar to the life I have at home. Time is different, work is different, rest is different, food is different (especially potato chip flavors), language is different, money is different, transportation is different, and relationships are different. Even during an opportunity to do something familiar like driving a car, traffic is different, the driver’s seat is on the right, and the gear shift is on the left. If you have ever broken your dominant wrist, and spent a few months doing everything with your non-dominant hand, then I am sure you can relate. An adjustment period is required, but eventually things begin to feel more natural.
This month, different feels natural.
There is another team living and working with us this month. Adding six personalities to a group inherently changes the dynamic. Despite this, our teams have meshed almost seamlessly, developing a working schedule for ministry, team building, and food provision. We are spending this month in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. (For more information about the history and culture of Northern Cyprus, see either of these blogs written by my teammates, http://sheahendry.theworldrace.org/post/a-country-that-doesnt-exist by Shea Hendry, or http://catherineread.theworldrace.org/post/cyprus by Catherine Read)
Cyprus is a beautiful country with a rich history and a breathtaking shoreline. The hotel at which we are doing the majority of our work overlooks the Mediterranean Sea to the East. It is the first sustainable agriculture hub in Northern Cyprus, and the owner practices organic gardening while teaching groups about the traditional culture and cuisine of the Cypriot people. We have the opportunity to help with the educational programs which include bread, coffee, and carob syrup making, along with traditional dress and dance programs. This week there have been large groups of five year olds visiting to learn about their heritage. Another major difference is how well behaved such a large group of young kids can be! The kids kneed their own bread and then we place it in a 400 year old stone oven. After lunch a king and queen are crowned with olive branches. It’s a pretty cute ceremony.
Alright, moving on to why this month has felt natural for me. I have gotten to work with my hands more this month than I have since I left! The hotel and attached vineyard were in need of some major care and maintenance. The second day that we were here, a heavy rain came through, and the roof of the hotel did not do much to keep things dry. I had to hide a smile as I thought about ways that I could be of use this month. Previous months have been challenging because evangelism and discipleship are not exactly in my comfort zone. This month feels like it was specifically designed to fit the skill set that God has given me. I have done many construction projects in my life, but I have never had the opportunity to work with ten extra pairs of hands. Each person on both teams has been eager to take on jobs that have been challenging physically and creatively. I say creatively because building and fixing things with limited supplies takes a tremendous amount of imagination and foresight. I have been impressed with everyone’s ability to work efficiently and cooperatively.
As the person with the most construction experience, I have had the privilege of overseeing and assisting on most of the jobs. Together we have been able to accomplish several tasks. At the vineyard we painted a tower structure, moved large piles of logs, organized scrap wood, built tables and chairs out of recycled wood, plowed a field, closed in a greenhouse (complete with a recycled door), moved and spread truck-loads of gravel, ran a chain-link fence with extra wire for stability, and harvested olives in the traditional Cypriot fashion.
At the hotel we have weeded the garden areas, fixed a wooden fence that was falling in, reinforced a chicken coop, cleaned rooms that are filled with dust, collected sand and concrete mix in preparation for filling in a stone sidewalk (which we will do next week), prepared the sidewalk for the cement filling, cleaned the pool, trimmed trees and bushes, and replaced the leaking roof.
The roofing was especially fun and challenging. We were limited to two pieces of low grade plywood to try and patch together a stable replacement for the old rotting structure. We also had no tar paper and only a few large rolls of shingling. When I asked if they had tar or anything to create a seal around the chimney, I was shown a blow-torch. So we made the most of it. We installed the new roof and had the added pleasure of working with a flame-thrower for much of the afternoon.
Yes, life out here is different, but the feel of tools in my hands is familiar and comforting.
Our hope is that by fixing up this place, it will allow for the owner and our host to create a long term center for area Christians to gather and that it can be used to educate people on not only the Cypriot culture, but about the love that God has for them. We are praying that the work that we have gotten done will ease a burden for those living here and free up time for them to reach people throughout the country for the cause of Christ.
Please go back and click the above links to learn about this beautiful country, and keep in mind that Shea is still in the process of fundraising, so please help her out if you are able!!
