"I don't know anyone who died of natural causes."

This line is from an collection of interviews Wendy Pearlman includes in her book 

We Crossed a Bridge and It Trembled: Voices from Syria. It has been the most profound reading I have done so far about the Syrian experience from the beginnings of revolution to life in another part of the world.

Sometimes I am overwhelmed with the enormous need, the inexplicable impossibility to giving help, the huge potential for error or injustice or harm. But if no one took the risk, nothing would be done. I am honored to offer a small part of this relief. In my case I will be dispensing food and clothing as well as working in the laundry facility. 

And without knowing who I will encounter children who have never been to school, people who traveled 350 persons in a 40 person boat, those who arrive with only what they can carry, and those who have never known a person to die of natural causes.

Less than a month!

Awash with adventures of the grandkid kind, I am having my annual moment of surprise to realize I leave in 3 weeks for Greece! Facebook has a CCS-Greece group so I have a little insight into the new site.

Apparently it is hot. https://www.accuweather.com/en/gr/athens/182536/august-weather/182536

Temperatures have been in the mid 30's - in American degrees that is upper 90's. We stay in a hotel near a boardwalk onto the ocean, but daily work is in the camp. Nevertheless we need to wear culturally appropriate clothing with knees, shoulders and chest covered. I found some cheap dresses that fit the criteria and think I will leave them to be donated.

My plane lands just outside the timetable for CCS pick up, but there is always a Plan B! I got in touch with the St Paul's Anglican church http://anglicanchurchathens.gr/ and the deacon is connecting me with a member who can drive me out to Chalkida. I hope to worship there on one Sunday.



And in the "small world" department, a friend I met in Peru will be there the same time! We plan to see Corinth one weekend.




So it sounds like that and my passport are all I need to be ready...