On November 3rd, we arrived in Cyprus, an island in the eastern Mediterranean. The island is divided into two nations. The Republic of Cyprus in the south is Greek speaking and a member of the European Union. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is a Turkish speaking, predominantly Muslim country. Because of the circumstances around the Turkish invasion of Cyprus that created the Republic of Northern Cyprus in 1974 only Turkey recognizes it as an independent nation diplomatically. The rest of the world considers Northern Cyprus to be occupied territory. Still, Northern Cyprus has its own elected government and its own police and military force. Northern Cyprus is still dependent on Turkey in a lot of ways, but Northern Cyprus continues to be recognized by Turkey as its own country. The UK served as a protectorate from the Ottoman Empire briefly. Because it was at a central period of modern advancement, there is a strong British footprint in Cyprus which is easily evidenced by driving on the left and electrical outlets. While time spent in Greek Cyprus was minimal, it was notably more commercial. Northern Cyprus is less developed, with more areas of natural landscapes.
This month, we are living with a Christian Cypriot couple who own the very first ecofriendly hotel in Northern Cyprus. Daily activities include weeding the gardens, cleaning the pool, tending the chickens, serving other hotel guests, harvesting olives, painting, fixing fences, filling pot holes, organizing scrap wood, repairing the roof, raking, tilling soil, building a green house, and assisting during educational Cyprus cultural events. Our goal in completing these projects is to come alongside the owners and help them with whatever it is that they ask with a smile and a joyful attitude. We want to lift some burdens and allow them to have more time to spend with people and each other.
While a large portion of our time is spent doing manual labor, we are also interacting in the community we live in as well as with international students who live in the city. Northern Cyprus is becoming a hub for higher education. There are thousands of international students and migrant workers from Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa here. We have the privilege of worshiping and studying the bible together. It is an honor to be able to spend time with one another.
I’m fully financially funded, but if you would like to partner in prayer I would love that.
My good friend and teammate Shea is in the process of fundraising for the next eight months. If you’d like to financially support her or follow her blog click the link to arrive at her blog site, sheahendry.theworldrace.org
Much Love, Catherine
