Today was another hot but less sunshiny day. A haze, due to dust storms from the Sahara, covered the city and activated allergies. But we worked hard and saw more progress:
- Bob and Jim finished patching a future classroom and then began painting.
- Lynnell and Sherry re-sorted multiple boxes of donations into new bins and also set up displays for tomorrow’s distribution. The new shelves built by Bob, Jim, and a volunteer from London/Jamaica made a big difference.
- Krystal went along with (2) staff members and a volunteer to teach English to Syrian teenage boys. The boys are living in an abandoned hotel and are under the supervision of the Cypriot government. About (10) boys gathered for a competitive game of Uno with the volunteers before the English lesson started. The director had asked us to teach the boys how to say “please may I have…” and then food items. I (Krystal) sat near the back and chatted with one standoff-ish student for the hour. Conversation went from light-hearted to serious, when he pulled down his shirt to show me a bullet wound in his shoulder and described running away. Another boy showed me pictures of his baby nephew, and shared how the baby and his family had been killed. I was surprised that they shared so much, but there aren’t any adults in their lives at the moment. I think they crave kind conversation and attention, even if it’s from a stranger. Please pray for these boys from Syria and their difficult journey ahead to find “normal life” in the shadow of such great loss.
- We went shopping at Jumbo for more supplies for the Center, and bought so much that we barely fit in the car. Lynnell was the strategic mastermind to get us and the purchases all into the car like a life-sized game of Tetris.
- Highlight of the Day: Amazing home cooked Cypriot dinner at Nick & Elena’s !!!! We had great conversation. The food was “authentic Cypriot dishes on steroids” prepared by our gracious hosts in their loving home. I don’t think we can say enough good things to do the evening justice. Thank you Lord for giving Nick and Elena a passion for Your Kingdom and a beauty in their hearts that spills over everyone who crosses their path.
- Just to keep you on the edge of your seats: Stray Cat Count = 116