Saturday/Sunday – May 21 & 22

Tonight I am writing from inside the camp. I’m sitting in the doorway of one of the buildings which is used for Greek and English classes. Opposite is the doorway of the clothing tent where I am spending many hours. There is no electricity in there, so even at 4 o’clock, when we start, it is still twilight. I am turning into a mole! Occasionally we have battery powered lights, but not tonight. My headlamp is very helpful as I wear it around my neck, still sorting clothes or filling clothing orders. There are two “rooms” in the tent with 3 level shelves. Those are loaded with cardboard boxes or plastic bins marked for Women’s Small Tops or Toddlers Tops and so on. We sort new arrivals and straighten up the boxes in a fairly constant struggle to maintain order. There is a narrow gravel path between these two buildings and to my right, is the wire gate which allows us in and out. No refugees are allowed in as we would have utter chaos if folks could come in and choose. As it is, orders are taken earlier in the day and collected into bright yellow bags, with the proper number. The family is given the corresponding ticket. Then, on our shift, we hand out the bags. Many people gather at the gate and wait while we track down their bag(s). Often we can’t fill the entire order so there is some unhappiness. Also the choice of clothes is not always to their taste, with which I can really sympathize. However, we can’t allow swaps except for size or folks would be here for ages “shopping.” It’s hard because they have lost so much and now they just have to wear what we give them. I would hate wearing clothes someone else picked out for me!
There is generally a small soccer game going on beside the tent so balls hit the roof. One shot went soaring over the tent and caught both Amanda and me on the heads as we were sitting outside, between tents! Nice shot!
So much time is spent waiting – for food, for clothes, for medical help. In between queues, there is little to do. A couple of men have set up barber shops and we saw one entrepreneur with wares spread out before his tent. Tonight there was more interaction with folks so I love that. And the other volunteers are great. As we have so much time together, life stories are shared and hopes and dreams come up. One quickly becomes family – with the occasional “relative” everyone copes with!
Rachel and I left at midnight and had a better drive back than the night before – little rain and no fog but all the turns were still there. Thanks Lord. But then the day’s adventure really began.
I went back to my room, unlocked the door and no electricity. As it was on everywhere else, I went looking for someone to help. No joy so back to the room. No big deal. I was going to sleep anyway. Went to turn the knob – nothing happened! I was locked out. After checking my back door, trying to pick the lock with scissors and nail clippers, and bargaining with God, I realized I was out for the night. I really didn’t want to bother anyone as it was about 1:30 and there wouldn’t be anyplace to sleep anyway, I unlocked the car and popped into the back seat to curl up for the night. Fortunately, I still had my backpack with iPad and clothes so made a little pillow and read much of the night. I didn’t really sleep – too uncomfortable and a bit chilly before dawn – “it’s always coldest . . .” Throughout the night, it was stormy – very windy with lightening side effects. Fun to watch. Finally, at 7:30, our venerable host showed up and got me in and powered back up. I fell into bed and slept until about noon.
I went for breakfast and noticed a couple beside me with large beer steins and I think “why are they having beer at breakfast time?” But it is really 1:30. Such are my mixed up days. I find myself saying “Good morning” when we arrive at the camp at 4. It is the beginning of my work day so must be morning! Very mixed up.
Well – things have changed. Just as I was waking up, Rachel came by and told me that we are being pulled out of the camp. When the day shift returned, they said they were told to pack up everything and leave after the shift. No new ones were coming in. We have no idea what is happening but just ache for the refugees. I’ll update as soon as I know anything. So tomorrow I am off and will see what the day brings. Many mixed feelings right now but my heart is with the refugees. Please pray for them. I gather it is not safe for us so what about them?
O Lord – please protect your dear ones.
I get to have a full night’s sleep but at what cost? Thank you for your prayers.