Christmas Day 2015

About 9.00 am from Serifou 16, Cholargos,

About 10.00 am, from Acropoli Chapel

...about 11 am, preparations underway

About 12 noon, President Heder looking the part

1.30 pm with about 60 for Christmas day lunch

About 4pm, Saint Sofia children's Hospital,

 

About 7.30pm, Hayley, her team of volunteers (centre row) off to Lesbos and with Helen's socks!

About 10.30 pm, home,

A New Phase

Below, with Eileen, is Geurder, aged 17, and her son Gavin.

They are refugees from the Congo and are being looked after by the Greek government at an educational establishment in Ilion, Athens. Geurder ’s first language is French and although she is learning English and Greek, she hopes to settle in France -  one day. She is also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and has been all her life. Sadly though, her parents were killed and she has no other family who she can live with. But Geurder is not depressed or disheartened by her situation. She has faith and spirit that will help her on her way. It is people like Geurder, who since we arrived at the start of our mission have stirred our hearts and our minds.

If any wish to help in some small way, talk to our Helen who has just returned to England after spending a wonderful week with us. Below, the three of us at the Temple of Posieden on her last day here.

Tree Time

This week it was a Christmas Tree week. With Vera's help the one at the Institute Center went up, and with the help of IKEA, a new one went up at our flat too!

Thanksgiving 2015

Great time had by all. Great food provided by senior missionaries and the Heder's and there was a little story given by me.... details can be found here: From Scrooby to New England, 1620

Devotional with Elder Ballard

On Friday 20th November 2015 missionaries serving in Athens had the privilege of having a one hour devotional with Elder M Russel Ballard, one of our 12 apostles. For an 87 year old he was on a very demanding schedule. Visiting and holding meetings throughout Europe and Ireland he was also assessing the refugee crisis and after our meeting was flying to the Greek island of Lesbos. Despite his schedule, as always a missionary, while viewing the Athens skyline from the restaurant in the hotel where he was staying, he made friends with a waiter, acquired his name and address and promised him that two representatives of the church would deliver a copy of his book to his home in the next few days. That responsibility we now know has fallen to Elder Shaner. Watch this space for how this story progresses.
The picture of us was taken by Joel Mawlam, Christian's brother (husband of our daughter Elizabeth) who was accompanying Elder Ballard. He is currently employed as the Church photographer in Europe. The other picture is of Elder Ballard with the mission presidents daughters, Alinda and Marie.

Elder M Russell Ballard on Mars Hill, Athens, where Paul once preached.

Early morning, Friday 20th November 2015

November 21st Our First Seminary Super Saturday

Yesterday was our first Seminary Super Saturday activity. We bought pizzas and salads, picnicked in one of the Olympic parks, had a devotional and went to a matinee performance of Jason and the Argonauts, together with thousands of school children! The show was all in Greek but we followed the ancient plot okay and the props and costumes were very impressive.

From left to right: Marie, Alinda, Manasah, you know who, Nikolas and Josh.

Peaceful Protest in Athens 12 November 2015

Outside our chapel in Acropoli, on the day of a general strike, a demonstration of the people regarding the latest bailout plan for the Greek economy. It marched from Syntagma, where the parliament is down to Acropoli.