We're back!

We've arrived back in Greece after a very busy two weeks in the States. We very briefly got to see only a few of you but were so grateful to be in town when our new grandson, Griffin Michael, was born and to be able to see all our kids and other families. It was a great but hectic time and we are glad to be getting back to "normal life" here in Greece. I never would have dreamt this would be "normal" living for us but after almost 11 months here, I think we are finally feeling at home.

I, Peggy, have started back at language school. I am re-taking Level 2 Greek, which I took in the Spring but spent most of the class trying not to cry because it was so intense. This time around, there are no other students in the class, just me and the teacher. Not sure yet what I think about this. It makes it easier since I don't have to worry about feeling so stupid in front of others, but harder in the sense that it is only me and her. No time for distractions or learning from listening to the others answer the questions. Oh well, just trusting that God knows best and trying to keep my head above water. It is nice to not be so new to the material and to realize that I did actually learn a little last time!

Meanwhile Mike has been busy working with the HM team out at Porto Astro as we are preparing for the visit of a very special HM donor. We are likening it to when the kids got married and suddenly we needed everything done at the house that we had put off for years. Needless to say, he has been quite busy, doing maintenance, building windows, rolling out astroturf for the soccer field, repairing things etc. He will be staying out at the property this whole week and then will begin studying Greek full time again with his tutor next week, we hope.

The pace of things here continues to swirl as more and more people are visiting and considering ministering with us here in Greece. We have lots of planning to do for the year and years ahead. Just two weeks ago another couple joined our HM team from the States, Matt and Nikki Gulley and their six month old daughter. We are looking forward to getting to know them more and to helping them get settled here. We have laughed as we recalled our own first days and are glad not to be the newest kids on the block anymore! Please pray for them, settling here is difficult!!

One other really exciting thing going on here is that we are planning for a "Hope Center." A building was donated to HM that we are hoping to use for a pregnancy care center and perhaps as a refuge for young girls to escape the sex trafficking life. We are very early in the development stages, but I am going out to see the building on Tuesday and can't wait to see what God has in mind for this ministry.


OK, off to finish homework and get ready for the week ahead. Mike is already at a meeting to get the week's agenda. Blessings to you all. Thank you so much for partnering with us. We are privileged to be the hands and feet of Christ here in Greece through your love and support.

Officially homeless!

We finally sold our house in Wheaton and are now officially homeless! It feels great! After 14 months in a depressed real estate market and three sales contracts, we closed on our family home of 22 years this week on Wednesday while we were back in Wheaton. Praise the Lord!!

This means we return to Greece without the burden of mortgage and utility payments and without the concerns of trying to manage a vacant property.

We are overwhelmed with RELIEF and GRATITUDE and a touch of sadness as we remember the happiness of the days spent in that house raising our family. Tears and joy mixed together. We find that common these days!

Thank you to all of you who have prayed so faithfully with us about this. God has been faithful to answer our prayers. We have learned to continue to trust Him and His perfect timing, even when we don't understand it.

Finally, thank you to all of you who have helped us so much while we weren't here to take care of the house. Thanks Michael and Nisha for managing it and troubleshooting for us. Thanks Sheryl and Rebecca for the great job you did marketing the house and for the agonies you shared with us! Thanks Don for negotiating the legalities of three contracts. Thanks Mom and Dad Bollweg for the multiple clean up jobs you did. Thanks Mom and Dad Lowe for your vigilance in checking up on the place daily. Thanks Don and Bob for your help with inspection issues. Thanks Espo for shoveling and mowing. Thanks dear neighbors for your help, bible study friends and sisters for the clean up job and the list goes on and on.

While at times it felt like we were alone in this, God provided for our every need. Thank you dear friends. Thank you Heavenly Father for your love and care for us. We are blessed!

Griffin Michael Lowe is born!

Our second grandson, Griffin Michael was born on Saturday August 30, at 5:02 pm. He weighed 7 lbs, 12 oz. and was 20.5 inches long. Mom and baby are doing well and are settled at home already. Mike and I feel incredibly blessed to have been able to be here in Wheaton to meet him at his birth. We are enjoying time with family and will be heading back to Greece in a few days. Thanks for all your prayers, what a precious gift from God!