OUR FIRST VISITORS

 WE WERE SO EXCITED TO HAVE MARK AND SAMANTHA, DENNIS AND ERICA FLY INTO LARNACA AIRPORT ON WEDNESDAY MORNING MARCH 7TH, 2012.

 WE WENT BY OUR FAVORITE MOSQUE ON THE WAY TO THE FLAT.

HERE IS DENNIS BEING A TOUCH DISRESPECTFUL AND TRYING TO GET US IN TROUBLE.

OUR LANDLORD, ALECOS STOPPED BY FOR THE RENT AND A QUICK VISIT.  HE WAS PRETTY ENTERTAINING FOR THE KIDS WITH HIS HEAVY GREEK ACCENT.  NO, HE ISN'T INTERESTED IN OUR CHURCH AS HE IS GREEK ORTHODOX SINCE BIRTH AND WILL "DIE THAT WAY" HE CLAIMS.

WE HAD A NICE PERSSIAN MEAL AT MOE'S RESTAURANT WITH SARAH AND ABBAS.

THE FOLLOWING DAY WE TOOK A TRIP UP TO NICOSIA AND ACROSS THE BORDER TO THE TURKISH OCCUPIED AREA. ERICA FOUND A CUTE LITTLE FRIEND AS WE WAITED TO GET OUR PASSPORTS CHECKED.

ANOTHER TURKISH MOSQUE. CAN YOU FIND MARK?

SISTER NIEBUHR WITH THE MAN WHO OWNS THIS SHOP AND PAINTED THESE THOUSANDS OF BEAUTIFUL ORNAMENTAL PLATES.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN DENNIS AND ERICA KISS?  ME EITHER.  WELL THIS IS PROOF, AND ON THEIR 15TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.

CELEBRATING 15 YEARS OF MARRIAGE RIGHT HERE IN CYPRUS WITH US!

A COMMON SIGHT WITH YOUNG MARRIEDS, MARK AND SAMANTHA, ONLY 18 MONTHS OF MARRITAL BLISS.

DENNIS WAS GLAD TO SEE IT TAKES TWO TO PUT HIM IN THE AIR!

THIS WAS SUCH AN AMAZING SHOT UNTIL WE LOOKED AT IT AND SAW THAT THE MOON TOTALLY SHRUNK IN THE CAMERA!  IT FILLED HER HAND IN REAL LIFE!  AT AIRPORT BEFORE THEY DEPARTED CYPRUS.

THANK YOU FOR COMING!  IT WENT WAY TOO FAST, 34 HOURS AND NOW YOU ARE GONE.  WE WERE LONELY FOR A MINUTE, THEN WE REMEMBERED WHY WE ARE HERE:  WE LOVE OUR MISSION!!!!