She’s Here!!!!!!

Baby Joyanna Michelle joined us at 10:15am Cyprus time on Tuesday, July 28th.  She weighed in at 2.76kg or 6.1 pounds.  No length was taken.  Sarah and baby are both happy and healthy.  Praise to the King!

Mom and Baby Joyanna

Why We Need Him

In all honesty, I expect hard times.  Yet, up until this week, most things have gone so amazingly well that I was somehow hoping that we would escape the trials.  It’s okay to snicker here. I don’t really know how I could be that naive.  This week proved that tough times will come and will go, and the Lord will show us mercy and blessing.

This last week started with a lovely time of attending the church of some dear friends from SAT-7, Jane and Steve Williams.  It was an intimate time of worship and fellowship.  This was followed by a nice lunch together with the Williams.  Steve wasn’t feeling well that day and we left them with wishes of rest and comfort.

Monday started with a sense of accomplishment in getting our home in order after the move.  Most things of urgent need had been put away and only a few boxes and totes remained in some rooms.  I also had a sense of peace about getting acclimated to our new Cypriot surroundings.  It had been 7 weeks on the island and we were making it.  Not a bad start.  We were also thankful for the Lord’s provision of a home, car, health and safe travels.

So, then, Monday really begins to reveal itself with the inklings of a week of trials.  A project that I’ve been assigned to complete at SAT-7, which should have been quite simple, begins to get stubborn. Also, I found it curious that Jane and Steve aren’t in the office and I inquire about that.  It is inferred that Steve really isn’t very well physically.  More to come later on this.  At home, later, Sarah and I begin what becomes a week-long discussion about the state of our finances.  There are a few things that we would like to buy for our home that we decide to wait on (a microwave being one of them).

Crossing the Threshold

Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.  For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.  Praise the Lord. — Psalm 117

The Lord has not left us on this journey to serve with SAT-7 and He is still with us here.  Today, we’ve been in Cyprus for five weeks.  Dan has been serving with SAT-7 for four weeks and he sees how the Lord has prepared him to fit into this organization.  Since we’ve been here, the needs of the people in the Middle East to hear the Good News has intensified.  There have been government elections in Lebanon and in Iran.  The streets are not calm in Iran following the election and the government is now blocking cell phone usage, Facebook, internet and other forms of media.  SAT-7 broadcasts are more important than ever in this nation, as people are yearning for hope amidst the chaos.

Calvin and the Pool

On a personal note, we have been doing very well coping the last five weeks.  We’ve experienced days where the culture shock seems to be overwhelming, but at those times we seek the shelter of our bedroom at our friend’s home and we get through it.  The children have enjoyed many hours in the pool, as the heat has already been oppressive here.  We purchased a pass to the Nicosia Municipal pool and we are so glad to have a way to escape the heat many days throughout the week.  Twice, we’ve been to a beach on the northern side of Cyprus and yesterday we toured the Troodos Mountains in central Cyprus and visited Kykkos Monastery.  God has blessed us with some wonderful times as a family, which we appreciate after having a very busy two years getting here without a lot of quality family time.

Sarah has been coping with the heat as well as any pregnant woman in her last trimester can.  She is 34 weeks along in her pregnancy and this week a c-section will be scheduled with the doctor.  Please keep her in prayer at the end of July, when the baby will be born.  This is her third c-section and the recovery of the surgery can be challenging.  Calvin and Elisa are looking forward to meeting their baby sister. They are seeing and feeling the baby move.  In fact, a few times we’ve been able to make out a foot or knee – the kids are amazed at this.

Troodos Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea

What are some of our biggest shocks here?  Well, we are still not used to the price of groceries.  The price of a gallon of milk is approximately $7, which seems outrageous.  A loaf of bread is over $3.  There isn’t any food item that is cheaper here than in the states, so we are very careful shoppers.  Also, the packaging of food is in much smaller containers, so you end up buying less and eating less.

Life in general is slower-paced here.  The stores all close by 7:30pm, except on Wednesday when they close early at 1pm.  There have been a few times that we have not planned very well and we get caught by the early store closings on Wednesday.  Regular bank hours are 8am until 1pm, Monday through Friday.  A common term here is “siga, siga”, which means slowly, slowly.  Things get done here, but not with the efficiency that we come to demand in the states.

God answered our prayers about the work visa, and we were granted a one-year, family visa. That is a huge blessing, as work visas for non-EU citizens and becoming more difficult to obtain.  We have been in contact with several who have had to leave Cyprus because of this.

On Monday we move into our new home!!! Words cannot express how happy we will be to move in.  While we have enjoyed living with family and friends the last three months, there is nothing like “going home”.  Sarah’s parents are planning to visit for the baby’s birth in only four weeks.  We look forward to other visitors too!  Please come if you can!!!

He Meant It

You have heard it said, ‘ Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you:  Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.       Matthew 5:43-44

I believe this.  I think that I live this.  But, I have yet to know any true enemies.  I haven’t faced real persecution.  I haven’t been asked to choose between life now or life eternal.  My life has been an easy road.

I was reminded of this as I watched the documentary, “A Cry From Iran.”  This is the story of Haik Hovsepian from Iran.  This man loved people…loved Muslims. He didn’t just talk about it – he lived it.  He sought to save the life of another believer, to bring the message of hope and salvation through Jesus to the Iranian people.  His repayment was death.  Here is the trailer for the documentary – please find a way to see this film:

So, what do we do about this? The verse above is a clear statement about our response.  How do we love people who would murder a dear brother?  How do we love a government that restricts the rights of its people?  Haik Hovsepian knew how.  He went out amongst the people praying with and for them and serving them.

Did you know that we have a dear sister-in-Christ, from Indiana, that wakes up every day and prays for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to come to know Jesus?  She also prays for our family.  There are many from Iran living in other countries like the U.S.  Do you know any?  How could you love them?

Iran just had elections.  After reading the news article about this, could we pray for the Iranian people?  Brother Haik new the following and you should too – the people of Iran are hungry to know the Lord.  They are hungry for peace, love and freedom which are truly found in the Kingdom of our Lord.  Join us in prayer for Iran.  May His glory be revealed in and through the nation of Iran.

One Week In

This could be a long one.  What can happen in a week?  It seems we are getting a new understanding of what is possible, what the Lord can do and how He can prepare us for situations in advance.  He really has plans and a future for His people.  If you learn nothing else from this blog, please understand that He is a God of love and cares deeply for you.

We arrived a week ago last Sunday.  The flights went very well.  The kids were excited and yet very patient once the initial novelty of flying wore off.  Our flights took us from Washington D.C. to Vienna, Austria to Larnaca, Cyprus.  What a sight it was as we were about to land!  Looking down to see the island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea; knowing this was to be our home for the foreseeable future.  “There it is”, cried Calvin, a smile spread from ear to ear.  We exited the plane to a gentle warm breeze and the aroma of a certainly new place.