first week report

"Home sweet home" has been my tough lately. 

I've settled into my new apartment in Athens, with my wonderful roommate and husband, and life is starting to get into a routine. Upon my arrival, things were a bit hectic and borderline crazy, but after touching base I have a plan. 

I have begun working with Streetlights daily, thankfully I live only 20 minutes away (walking distance) which has proven to be a very pleasant walk. On my way to the Streetlights headquarters, I walk by the presidents house and the national garden. I cross the street and find myself at "Kolonaki Square" which also has proven to be one of the finest (and expensive) areas. This has all come as a surprise and a blessing.

In the months leading up to my relocation to Athens, I never believed I would receive such a perfect apartment and location to live in. My apartment building, can be seen in the picture to the right. Alcaeus and I live on the first floor (the window above the grafiti is our window). Its a small cozy apartment that appears to be very high-tech! This used to be my in-laws office, so it is very well kept. When I walk into my bathroom I don't even have to switch on the light, it does it automatically for me. 

I still can't believe how much God has blessed my new beginning - both in my marriage and in Athens. Leaving my home in Thessaloniki was hard, and not knowing how everything was going to turn out was even harder. However, faith kept me through all the doubts. An even bigger blessing is to see how God provides and loves. 

I promise to post pictures of the inside of the apartment once everything looks tidy :) 

My daily routine at Streetlights has been pretty basic.  At the headquarters, we have been re-arranging the office and redefining the space area we have.  Currently, Streetlights is planning to include a youth cafe as part of its facilities this year.  A change in need of lots of attention.

Philemon, the leader of Streetlights, is planning a trip to Australia in October.  Most of his time and energy is being place on forming new contacts and planning presentations for his short time there.  Therefore, please pray God looks after him during his trip and that He provides the resources that are needed.  In the mean time, the other members of Streetlights are directed to organize the headquarters.

To the left, is a picture of us at work! For the sake of getting a photo for you to see - we are all pretending to work :) In this room, the majority of work is taken care of and finished.  Most of the videos, montage, posters, etc. are done on these computers.

My job for this upcoming week is to get the Headquarters up and running; therefore, during Philemon absence in Australia, Streetlights will continue to function and produce normally. 

i hope this will inspire you :)

A new life together begins

Here's a photo from our wedding!  We released
doves as an act of unity. 

One of the most anticipated days of my life has come and gone.  On August 17, 2012, Alcaeus and I married.  We said our I do’s and sealed our words with a kiss.  My father, Michael Long, and Alcaeus’ uncle, Stephanos Botonis, preformed our ceremony.  The evening was nothing shy from unique – a word my father used to describe us in the opening speech.

Our wedding was unique.  Most weddings in Greece are traditionally held within the confinements of church walls, but we held ours within the confinements of God’s nature.  We walked on grass, saw the deep blue sky and released two doves to symbolize our commitment to each other.  As my mother often put (before and after the wedding), the whole evening felt like a beautiful fairytale.  And above all, we enjoyed ourselves.

The Monday after, thanks for our family, we departed the mainland of Greece and got on a boat.  We spent our honeymoon on a five-day cruise. 

Since Saturday 25^th, we have been in Thessaloniki spending some time with my family.  On September 3, we will pack my belongings and head to Athens.  The picture to the left is the building we will be living in, more specifically the first floor.  As mentioned in my previous post – Alcaeus’ parents gave the apartment to us for this first year of our marriage.

Once we’re settled in our new apartment, I’ll begin working with Streetlights.  The focal ministry I will be assisting and working in for this coming year.

Currently, Streetlights is focusing on separating into two categories:

1) Business Frontier in charge of creating videos for churches and organizations, a way to  provide funds for the organizations as a whole; and the

2) Youth and Community Work, consists of disciplining new and old participants of 

Streetlights, this will help the team become more efficient and creative. 

My task will be to divide the team into these new categories and to ensure each member finds his/her specific place within Streetlights.  With these changes we hope to bring better productivity and organization. 

Upon my arrival to Athens, I will also work with the young mother’s small group, in developing a night of prayer as well as forming a daycare program for their children.  

We will be living off our wedding gifts in the beginning. Our support is still low. $800 has come in the $2000 needed for start up funds.  $500+ is the level of monthly support.  $1250 is needed. Please pray and consider being a partner.  If you would like to give, you can click here.