What a great God we have.

I really feel that God has placed me in Cyprus for some reason for these three months and he greatly blessed me this evening with the company of two people from lebanon. There names are George and Joelle. We meet at GEC on sabbath day, they weren't there my first week. Joelle had to come to Cyprus for an operation and her brother came to visit her. We met up this evening and had tea and they where a great blessing and encouagement. They really encouraged me in the work and spurred me on.

Me, Joelle and George

Needy Country

As I near the end of my second week on this island, I am beginning to realise the great need that they have- in a spiritual sense. Church worship numbers are small. Elderly(being careful what I say) people being the norm at church with average age between 50-60. The youth in the congreations need leaders and example who will spend time with them. A lot of them are 1st generation Christians (they dont have Christian parents) therefore they miss Godly examples in the home, and do not have the priviledge that us western people do.
The youth have a lot of potential, they show a great love and care for one another but with few great role models.
This week a have had the opportunity to meet up with a number of different people and get to them, namely Phil and George. These are two great young guys who love the LORD greatly.
On a Sabbath day I attended two churches one the TCCF (Trinity Christain Community Fellowship) which is American RP (english speaking), and the other GEC (Greek Evangelical Church) which is greek speaking. I experienced speaking in tongues(depending on your interpretation) everyone was singing psalm 23 in greek and I sang it in english was really exciting!! These two services are helding in the same buiding one at 9.30am and the other at 11am. After TCCF there was a prayer meeting, it was during this time I took the young kids (5 in total) and we talked about the sermon which was Ruth chapter 1.

Church building entrance

The church hall.

On mondays I will attending the American Academy School in Nicosia. This will provide more structure for my week to add to the work load I have. I will be sitting in on the religious studies classes and P.E classes.

There is a 24 hour bakery which is 10minutes walk from the flat and I can inform you that is really good!

With Matt Jess teaching in Larnaca we have decided to take every possible Saturday that we have to tour the island. We started with going to Ayia Napa and to the Sea Caves which are 45mins drive from Larnaca.

The colour of the sea was so so blue and clear and really salty.

Bungee jump that we didn't do

The locals in Cyprus keep on saying that the weather is going to get better, I don't understand. It is constantly mid 30s(degrees) and sunny. They really really look for rain. It is too warm for them. They would like it 5-10degrees colder.


Prayer Points
-Give thanks for God's Grace.
-Give thanks for being able to get along side people.
-Pray as I travel to Nicosia on Monday
-Pray for the young people I will meet this week. George, Phil, Maleesh and Thomas.
-Pray for a man called Alan I will be meeting on thursday.
-Pray that I will continue to be disciplined in my reading during the week.
-Pray for Philip Moffett as he travels to Cyprus on thursday for 2 weeks. He is preaching in TCCF on the 10th.
-Pray that Gods Glory will be accomplished.

Settling In

Greetings from Cyprus.
I have been in Cyprus for nearly 1 week and have been trying to adjust to the heat. Everyday at some point it reaches 30degrees. It is quite warm compared to home.

On tues the 14th I sent off from Coleraine for a days journey to Larnaca. My flight left belfast at 6.30am and I arrived in Larnaca 7.30pm GMT. Cyprus time is two hours ahead.

Reading the safety instructions

During my time in Cyprus I will be staying with Adam and Jeanette Matris. They are lovely people and have made me very welcome!
Although I am staying with the Matris, they have a granny flat attached onto the side of their house, so I am staying in it. It is great, as it great me a lot of independance. There is a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen-dining area. There is a door out onto the street and I can access the main house. Here are a few photos.

This is a bucket for the toilet paper after you are finished using it.

So far I have met a lot of kind and interesting people. They have welcomed me very kindly.

Over the next 13 months(editted...weeks) I will greatly covet your prayers for me and the work that I will be involved in. Here are a few points to help you.
-Pray for me as I continue to settle in and meet more people.
-Pray for the two churches I will be working with TCCF and GEC.
-Pray for the kids club which is an Interchurch youthclub involving 4-5 churches in Larnaca.
-Pray for these young boys/men that I will get alongside over time as they have few Christian friends - Maleesh, Alan, Thomas, Mladen, Lionel, George and Josh.
-Pray that God's Glory will be done.


Speak soon.