Days in Rafina and Porto Rafti

After seeing our Patrons group off, we headed to Rafina, to the Hotel Avra for a few days of relaxation on the water. It has been wonderful. The boys have really enjoyed the beach-flippers,goggles, snorkels and collecting seaweed balls. According to the news we are having a heatwave, but have really not felt it out here. In the evenings we sit out on our balcony and there is a nice, cool breeze...and a lot of noise and activity. I love it! We're right on the Marina so we watch the ships come in and the folks unload. The tavernas are all open, with people stopping for a late-night dinner. There is much music, clinking of glasses and laughter. Last night after dinner at the taverna (King mackeral, tsaksiki, greek salad, crab salad, saganaki and fries) we took a walk along the boardwalk and then to a local park. The boys enjoyed watching the local skateboarders, and we enjoyed watching the grandparents with their grandchildren. Oh, how we miss Gabriel and Maria! Yesterday we spent three wonderful hours with Vicki, Yianna, and Mietek at Porto Rafti. They came out to the car to greet us as we arrived, served us lunch, cold drinks...and then we just talked for hours while the boys played in the pool. They are so dear to us and it was so good to hear how God has blessed their lives. Mietek is the frst Polish man at his church to buy his own home AND be blessed with three children-Naomi, Ruth and Jacob. The ldies kept hugging on the boys and crying. They both still had little pictures the boys had drawn for them, three years ago, hanging on the walls. The boys thought that was pretty neat. We have been very blessed with such good friends.

Cruisin' the Aegean Sea

We're in Santorini right now. It is a beautiful island creted after a volcanic eruption. Our cruise ends in the morning. We have enjoyed a trip to Ephesus, Crete , Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini to name a few. The boys have wonderful swords from Rhodes ( a great motivation to study the Crusades). Last night we were guests at the Captains' table--where we proceeded to discuss soccer and American football:)They were impressed when no one could think of the incredible quarterbacks name and I said' "Peyton Manning"? Never underestimate a reader of People magazine! We will be staying on at a beach house until we fly home next Wednesday. We have been so blessed to travel with this wonderful group of fellow believers that come from all over--Faulkner, Harding, Abilene, West Virginia, Greater Atlanta Christian, and on and on. The body of Christ with all its diversity and yet, all one.God is so good.

Church at Omonia Square

This evening we went to worship with our friends at Omonia square in Athens, Greece. They have a Greek service from10-12, a Bulgarian service from 1-3, a Russian service from 4-6 and then an English service from 6-8. We were able to see several friends from our years in Greece. It was wonderful to see those who are still faithful even in the midst of very difficult circumstances. The Lord's table was presided over by a Bulgarian, Greek, American and an Egyptian. The three men worshipping next to me were trying so hard to understand the English, but their first language was Farsi, as they were from Iran. Daniel, from Ghana, passed out songbooks. There were Filipinos, Sudanese, Russians--and several old friends from the States. The Lord's supper is always especially meaningful when shared with these brethren. We all hold the bread, and when everyone has a piece we take it together. It is a practice I enjoy. It was a wonderful time of fellowship, and but a small glimpse of our future in Heaven together, as a part of God's family.

An Evening at the Plaka

This evening we went out around 7pm for dinner at the Plaka, the outdoor shopping area near the Acropolis in downtown Athens, Greece. It has been absolutely beautiful here. There have been sunny days, but not too hot, and always accompanied with wonderful breezes off the sea. Terry purchased a small wooden chess set for the boys, who have been begging to learn the rules of the game. Soon after the purchase, we sat down at our outdoor table. For those who may never have visited this wonderful area, it is magical at night. The tables are covered by vine draped umbrellas, hanging lighted lanterns, flowers everywhere, twinkle lights, and Greek music playing in the background. As we enjoyed our meal of tzasiki, fava beans and onions, octopus and chicken souvlaki's, the boys played their first game of chess. The elderly Greek tavern owner (who loves the game) kept coming by to teach the boys important points to remember. Christian hung on every word, but Jordan was not quite as appreciative! It was a magical night, followed by a slow walk bak to our hotel. The Acropolis is beautifully lit up at night , and as we strolled down the street enjoying the view there was an elderly man playing a beautiful melody with his resin bow, and Christian leaped and twirled with abandon. Magical.

Onward to Rome!

We are leaving in a few minutes for our three week trip. We will be in Rome tonight and will pick up our group at the airport tomorrow afternoon. We are looking forward to sharing these times with these special individuals. Some we have known since college days, some we travelled with back in the early days of HUF, some are friends from our local congregation--and some we have never met. How blessed we are for this opportunity.It was more work getting the house ready to leave for three weeks than it was to move over here. Earl and Lora are going to be staying here part of the time that we are gone so I was needing to leave instructions for turning on the gas stove, taking the garbage down the hill, etc. To add to the excitement the pump went out yesterday afternoon so we had no water. Fortunately it was restored before bedtime.So now we are ready. The boys have their sketchbooks and pencils, Nintendo DS's, read aloud books, schoolwork (yes, we're still doing school, though we aren't doing schoolwork in Greece),and swimsuits.We're excited about seeing the Colosseum and Sistine Chapel, and riding bikes in the Borghese Gardens. Ciao, tutti!