A Thank You Letter to Cyprus

I have found that the more I go to places to serve and to give, the more I actually end up receiving. This was especially true of Cyprus. I came into Cyprus exhausted. I literally was sick on the plane ride over. While I liked Morocco, there was so much that I was dealing with internally there (that you can read about in my last two blogs) that it was hard to really focus on one thing at once there. But I was excited for Cyprus. Cyprus was actually one of the reasons I chose this particular route of countries. I have relationships with Greek Cypriots in London, so I have always wanted to go. Not only that, but one of my best friends moved there in September. I was so excited for Cyprus for so many reasons, but honestly, this month blew my expectations out of the water. So, because of this, I wanted to write a “thank you” letter to this country and the people and places that ended up filling me up way more than I could ever fill them:

Dear Cyprus,

Thank you for the beautiful beaches that brought me so much peace when I needed it. Thank you for the crystal clear water and beautiful sunsets that gave me an even deeper appreciation for our Creator.

Thank you for being the place where I met so many wonderful people. Your churches blew me away. When I went to church, EVERY person we talked to was involved in some sort of ministry there. They were passionate about the Great Commission and about the two greatest commandments: to love God and to love others. Thank you for all of the lessons these people taught me. They taught me what it looks like to worship from your heart. They demonstrated to me what servant leadership looks like. They eagerly invited us into what God is doing in Cyprus and around the world. They showed me what a lifestyle of prayer looks like. And ultimately, they time and time again pointed me to Papa God.

Thank you for connecting me with such an amazing organization like the Oasis Project. Thank you that every time I left that building, I felt more filled up than I did going in that morning. Thank you for redeeming what ministry to refugees looks like. In my conversations with the people they served, they had nothing but amazing things to say about this organization. Thank you for the conversations I had there. Thank you for the women’s ministry. Thank you for the children’s ministry and carnival that I also got to participate in. Thank you for giving me opportunities to share my faith with the men and women we met there. Thank you also for having people who are there to continue to pour into them after we left. Thank you for our hosts, Heather and Mahmoud, who were so incredibly hospitable to us and encouraging to us. Thank you for showing me that I have a passion for teaching English. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of all of the wonderful services they provide there.

I thank you also for the refugees themselves. They put a smile on my face every day I walked in. When I had no idea what I was doing, they were so patient with me and helped in any way I could. When I got a word wrong in English class, they actually ended up correcting me. They gave me so much laughter this month, despite what they are going through. Thank you for the tears as well though, for all of the times I got to hear their heart and to hear about their home countries. Thank you for showing me the people and not only the crisis.

I thank you for being the place where I could see my dear friend Natalia again. I didn’t realize how much I needed a good friend, and you provided that for me. Thank you for the car rides where we blasted Justin Bieber. Thanks for all of the hugs. Thank you for the worship we had. Thanks for the tears we cried together and for the laughter that followed. Thank you for reuniting us when I really needed it.

Finally, I thank you Cyprus for all of the healing you brought. Everyday was not easy. There were a lot of tear still being shed. There was a lot that I still needed to free myself from. But you allowed me to open up to my team and be vulnerable with them in my healing. You showed me that it’s okay for me to ask God for things and for gifts and that He is a faithful provider. You gave me rest when I needed it. You gave me hope and restored parts of myself that I allowed myself to lose in my grief. You gave me joy and laughter. You gave me a month that I will never forget.

My time in Cyprus flew by, but in a short month God used this country and the people and organizations within it to pour into me in so many ways. We did a lot while we were here, but I feel that even more was done IN me.

Our month in Cyprus may be over, but something tells me that I’ll be back very, very soon.

Thanks Again!

Meghan