Yes, this is indeed a women's mission trip that I was asked to lead. We are working in a center that serves women and young children who are refugees here on Lesvos. Here, women can remove their head coverings and take a warm shower. So you can see why men are not allowed in the center!
But we were requested to bring one man with our team. Originally, another married couple had indicated interest in coming, so Terry planned to stay in Knoxville. But since we both had such a meaningful and fun trip here last summer, when that couple couldn't come, Terry stepped up.
There are seven women and Terry. And I get to be in charge of him for two weeks. LOL.
Unlike some men who don't like to talk or share feelings, Terry is quite at home with conversation. So I don't think that traveling with women has been any big deal to him.
Terry fills a great need at the center each day. He is the gatekeeper - keeping out both men and boys over about 5 years old. He can only let in a certain number at a time. He has to explain this without speaking the language. He visits with the men and plays with the boys while they are waiting. Towards the end of this first week, the staff at the center hired a man named Ali, who'll be doing this job when we leave.
We are also hoping that he will be an encouragement to William, who started this ministry to women but would probably like to talk to an American male now and then. Sometimes you gotta get away from the estrogen.
We are also hoping that he will be an encouragement to William, who started this ministry to women but would probably like to talk to an American male now and then. Sometimes you gotta get away from the estrogen.
Terry has also served as our bodyguard, valet, strong arm, and photographer.
But his most important job away from the center is as our driver.
We don't have a far drive to the center each day but parking in Panagiouda is a challenge I'm glad I don't have to undertake. One afternoon we drove to a nearby archeological site and on the way back took a road that got narrower and narrower until our van barely fit through with both mirrors folded in. We literally had no more than an inch or two on each side. This is where we emerged.
This weekend we drove all over this island on very challenging roads (pretty much like The Dragon back home). He may have made a few women carsick. Sorry about that. Wish I would have taken photos to show the roads but I was hanging on for dear life AND HE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN! I must also say that it's a good thing speed limits are not enforced here or he would be sitting in a Greek jail instead of just sitting behind bars at the women's center.
We don't have a far drive to the center each day but parking in Panagiouda is a challenge I'm glad I don't have to undertake. One afternoon we drove to a nearby archeological site and on the way back took a road that got narrower and narrower until our van barely fit through with both mirrors folded in. We literally had no more than an inch or two on each side. This is where we emerged.
This weekend we drove all over this island on very challenging roads (pretty much like The Dragon back home). He may have made a few women carsick. Sorry about that. Wish I would have taken photos to show the roads but I was hanging on for dear life AND HE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN! I must also say that it's a good thing speed limits are not enforced here or he would be sitting in a Greek jail instead of just sitting behind bars at the women's center.
