God is good. That is something I have been learning over and over again this past year. I especially learned this truth during my mission’s trip to Greece. I am a person who is afraid of a lot of things. It’s really hard for me to step out of my comfort zone and I depend on others more than I should. I am not an independent person and I hate making decisions. I would rather have someone else take charge of my life and I’ll just follow along. I know, not very healthy. Deciding to go on this mission’s trip was a huge deal for me. I would be leaving my family, home, and everything I am familiar and comfortable with, and fly fourteen hours across the world. I made the decision to go very quickly and was committed early on, which was a good thing. By the time I left, I would have gotten out of going if I could have. How glad I am now that I couldn’t! I knew that I would have a great time once I got there, but the act of actually leaving terrified me. How could I leave?! Canada is my home and I am quite happy and content here. But I was expected to go and I had people depending on me. I was also going with a lovely lady I have known my entire life. How bad could it be? But it was so big to me; no small feat. I had to be faithful though and I knew God had called me to Greece. Our God is so faithful! He knew all my fears and He was faithful and good. I went to Calgary to fly out to Greece. The woman I was going with, Jeanette, was flying first class and I was going economy. When we arrived at the airport she decided to see if she could get me into the business class lounge. We walked in, I was praying that I would be able to get in, and asked if I would be able to go in as well, even though I was economy. The woman at the desk said someone had left their pass behind and would see if she could swing it. Yes! The pass worked and I walked into the lounge with Jeanette. We thanked the lady profusely and she just smiled shyly. I knew then that God was with me and watching over us. It wasn’t a huge thing if I couldn’t have gotten in the lounge, but it was so nice that I could. It reaffirmed the fact that God was with us, at least to me.

 I was scared for the flight. I don’t really like flying, but I was also going to be sitting by myself. Jeanette was sitting in business class, so we weren’t sitting together. I was so scared of getting on the plane and having to be by someone I didn’t know. Air Canada also let us board at the same time, so I got on the plane before everyone else. Jeanette came to see where I was sitting and mentioned that maybe I would sit by myself. I was sitting by the window and I watched as everyone boarded the plane. I was praying, “Lord, please let me sit by myself!” Person after person walked past and no one sat by me. I was by myself. It was amazing! It was especially nice since that was the 9 hour flight and I could stretch out without disturbing anyone. God was with me. The next flight, from Athens to Frankfurt, I was again sitting by myself! Well, almost by myself. I sat by the window again and there was an empty seat between me and the other man; but still lovely. On the final flight, from Athens to Mytilini, I was sitting by Jeanette and because the flight was mostly empty the man who was sitting by me moved so that I would be more comfortable. So kind!

Throughout the week God was with me. I wasn’t afraid like I usually would be, and I am normally a scaredy-cat. I had a sense of peace and security all through the week. I have never felt Gods presence so strongly. He was there. When I was walking about the town, or working in the camp, He was there. On the way home, too, I was going to be alone. But our God is greater! I was sitting with people I knew all the way back! It was so much fun to be able to sit by people I had met on the trip and get to know them better. This trip I grew so much in my faith and experienced God in a new way. He became so real to me and I am so grateful to have been able to go to Greece.