so.....I punched him!

Some shocking things have happened to me over the years but none so shocking as yesterday when I walking with Annette to work. We were meeting a working girl who was pregnant (with her boyfriend) and had decided to keep the baby. We were heading to the doctors to get her checked out when as we were walking a man passed by me, reached out and grabbed my boob. He just reached out and grab my boob! Can you believe it? Can you believe it? So..... I punched him.

I think that if anyone that day deserved to be punched (and there were a few who annoyed me), that sorry excuse for a man deserved it. Yes I am aware I am a Christian missionary (and shouldn't do that sort of thing) but I was completely gob smacked. How dare he think that he can treat women like that. We weren't even in a rough area, in fact we were in a very nice area so I really didn't expect it. In some areas of Athens men hang around just to watch the women and try and get a feel. Not that it is right to do so but I do hang around in areas of Athens that has a lot of prostitution – I guess it's the nature of the job. There instead of punching people I scream at them, but even then I haven't had someone just reach out and grab my boob. How much worse must it be for girls who sell themselves for sex? Just because they do that does not mean that these men have the right to them. I bet many times during the day they feel like punching people and worse. I bet it makes there skin crawl just as much as it did mine. The difference is they can do nothing about it. They have to take it because they offer themselves to it. I however will not take it and I’m glad I punched him. Now I don't want to come off all feminist but I believe women deserve to be treated with respect. We are not sex objects, you cannot do what you want with us. we are your mother, your sister, your cousin, your aunty and we will bear your children. Think of anyone in your life who is a female and then think would you do the same to them? I hope he will think twice next time before touching a women like that again and that the bruise will remind him that he was punched by a woman whom he should not have been touching.

Day 30 - A Picture Of Yourself

Happy anniversary.

Well today is our second wedding anniversary. And this morning you went out for coffee and brought me roses. I love you.

For those of you who know me, can you actual believe it been two years since I said yes to the most gorgeous man on the planet? And for those who REALLY, REALLY know me can you believe someone said yes to marrying me?

Thank you for everything you do for me. I love that my family love you, especially my dad. I love that the day we got married you made the happiest of my life. I love that when we sat in the church and I started to sweat you wiped my back with your sleeve. I love that when I wanted to go to Mexico on our honeymoon you kissed me and said yes without any complaints. I love that when we walked into our new home and I didn't like the paint you painted it. I love that when my back went you helped me off the toilet. I love that when I had a bad day you brought me flowers and ice cream. I love that when we got of the plane after arriving in Athens you held my hand. I love that when I cry, you hold me and patch my feet up. I love that when I ask a tramp to come home with me to use the shower you said ok. I love that when I wanted to go to Romania you prayed for me. I love you and thank you.

The truth is your very easy to love, even though you want to build a submarine. Even though you get sick on fair ground rides and don't talk to me for a whole day because I laugh. Even though you love to make spreadsheets. Even though the thing you do to relax is make arcatm news and build websites.

It been great watching you grow in faith and love this year of our marriage. It been so much fun learning with you. Learning how to cope with difficult people and new situations. I just love to be with you. Your my best friend. Once again thank you for putting up with me for the last five years. I look forward to many more adventures.  

The little things.

Recently I talked to a Christian guy – a 'real Christian does good, works for the Lord, does not swear, does not drink', Christian guy. Now I know what you are thinking... he hated you right? Well maybe, but because he was a good Christian he never showed it. He was on a short-term mission trip to Romania when I was there and we got talking about what we both did. As we were talking, I realised that he didn't believe that God acted in people's lives in small ways, only in big. To be honest I was more than a little shocked. I love the little things that God does for me; a small breeze when it is baking hot; getting a message from a friend when I have had a crap day; even parking spaces when it is really busy and you are late for something (yep that's God too sometimes). These 'little' things occur each day so that we know that He is constantly thinking of us. I wondered where he drew the line between a small thing and a big thing. I was completely knocked back and I couldn't think about anything else other than telling Him about what God had done for me in Athens one day:

A young Nigerian girl we met on the streets one night came to the office. She was tired and didn't want to work on the streets any more (praise God, big thing). Within two weeks we had worked with other Non-Government-Organisations and she was flying home to Nigeria on a Friday morning. As most of you will know, we work late on a Thursday (11.00pm – 2.00am) and normally we get home about 2.30am and often get to sleep as late as 4.00am. We had also had a hugely busy week and was looking forward to a long lay-in the next morning. However her flight was at 12.00pm and we needed to pick her up from the shelter at 8.30am. Tired wasn't even the word! We were completed exhausted. We got to the metro station early and from this station the train normally takes about 45 minutes to get to the airport. It runs every 30mins and in a city over 4 million, this train is always busy. Normally we are forced to stand in someone's armpit, realising as time went on what exactly they had for breakfast. Because most of the people on this train are going to the airport, if you don't get a seat at the beginning you will have to stand for the whole journey. I got to the platform and prayed 'God we are really tired and I don't think I can stand for this long. Please, please, PLEASE can we have a seat? Just one will do' (Annette will give up her seat for me). The station filled up as the train pulled into the station and, as was expected, the train was full.

I could have cried. Most of the time I love working for God and I love being able to see what He is doing in Athens but this was not one of those times, 'God, I am so happy you have saved this young girl, but next time please let the flight be at 6pm and maybe on a Wednesday'. We shuffled and shoved our way onto the train. People were standing, squashed right up to the door. There to my surprise were three seats with no one sat in them. There were people standing all around but it was as if no one else had seen them. We all sat down. Praise God!

So, I wanted to tell this man the most important thing that God has done for me while I have been in Athens, even if it seemed unimportant to him. I told him, I have seen people saved from prostitution, I’ve seen drug addicts cry out to God in desperation, I’ve seen hope restored in people who had lived for years without hope, but the most important thing God has done for me was give me a seat on a train when I was tired.

What little things has God done for you? Do you thank Him for them?

Day 29 - Something You Never Thought You Would Do.

I am the Blue one. 

Day 28- Your Most Treasured Item

It is so hot in Athens at the moment 34c today, going up to 39c on Saturday. This fan is my god right now!

Day 27 - Your Favorite Book

Day 26 - A Picture & A Letter

Day 25 - You And A Famous Person

What a funny and wet day, If the camera went any further down you would see I am not wearing any trousers and that is because London got flooded and we were trapped at the BBC studios soaked and with Ainsley Harriott.

Day 24 - That Makes You Laugh

Day 23 - Something That Has Had A Huge Impact On Your Life Recently

Greece, Sunshine  Missions, New Friends, This whole year.

Day 22 - Your Biggest Insecurity

Day 21 - A Picture Of A Good Memory.

Day 20- Something You Wish You Were Better At.

I recently visited Romania and although I am having lessons from a very good and teacher, I'm just not very good at learning new languages and I wish I were.

Day 19 - Someone You Miss

My beautiful Sister!

Day 18 - Something You Wish You Could Forget

No explanation needed.

Arcatm.com

You're a joke!

In my mind there isn't much worse than child sex slavery. I honestly think God would not put me in this mission field because I would be afraid of what I would do to someone committing these crimes. I know what you're thinking, I shouldn't say that because that it will probably where God will put me next. Even talking about it has upset me for days and writing this will ensure that I won't get much sleep tonight. Did you know:

• Child/Human Trafficking is one of the fastest growing crimes in the world. Child/ human trafficking is the world’s second largest criminal enterprise, after drugs. U.S. State Department

• The global market of child trafficking at over $12 billion a year with over 1.2 million child victims. UNICEF
• As many as 2.8 million children run away each year in the US. Within 48 hours of hitting the streets, one-third of these children are lured or recruited into the underground world of prostitution and pornography. The National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children
• The average age of entry for children victimized by the sex trade industry is 12 years. U.S. Department of Justice
• Approximately 80% of human trafficking victims are women and girls and up to 50% are minors.  U.S. State Department
• The average number of victims for non-incestuous paedophiles who molest girls is 20, for paedophiles who prefer boys 100! The Association For the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA)
• 300,000 children in the U.S. are at risk every year for commercial sexual exploitation. U.S. Department of Justice
• 600,000 – 800,000 people are bought and sold across international borders each year; 50% are children, most are female. The majority of these victims are forced into the commercial sex trade.  U.S. Department of State, 2004, Trafficking in Persons Report, Washington, D.C.
• An estimated 14,500 to 17,500 foreign nationals are trafficked into the United States each year. The number of U.S. citizens trafficked within the country is even higher, with an estimated 200,000 American children at risk for trafficking into the sex industry. U.S. Department of Justice Report to Congress from Attorney General John Ashcroft on U.S. Government Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons
• Investigators and researchers estimate the average predator in the U.S. can make more than $200,000 a year off one young girl.  NBC Report by Teri Williams
• An average serial child molester may have as many as 400 victims in his lifetime. Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Study
• Child pornography is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States right now.  Nationally, there has been a 2500% increase in arrests in 10 years. FBI
• The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which helps to identify and locate children in pornography photos and videos, says it’s staff reviewed more than 10.5 million images in 2009 alone.
• Reports of exploited children grow every year, in 2009, the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children received more than 120,000 reports on its cyber tip line. In 2010, the number grew to over 160,000 with the vast majority being from child pornography.

I love to hear stories of amazing people fighting again this, people from around the world giving their lives to save the lives of children who deserve better.

Unfortunately I have recently seen something that made me sick to my stomach,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLHbUNlUeyc

I can't even begin to imagine who came up with this slogan but it seems to me someone is having a joke. I'm all about seeing funny things in horrible situations, in fact I have laughed my way through many horrible situations to save myself from crying. But really child sex slavery is not funny and how dare these people infect the public with this horrific excuse for a campaign. As a missionary I see people working extremely hard in the fight against anti-trafficking and see people who have worked endlessly to help those in need on a minimal budget. Then suddenly anti-trafficking is the 'in' topic and famous people rush to start campaigns throwing money at tv ads and t-shirts and slogans. My question is do they really care? Will they be able to spend all their time and effort helping these people or when the next big thing comes up will they run to that and throw their weight against that. Please don't get me wrong, I am happy that people are interested. I’m glad that money is flowing in because it needs to be stopped. What I hate are celebrities thinking that they know best and creating add campaigns that are a joke. It's important that more people actually do things to help and do less trying to spread the word, do more, say less. 

What do you think of this? 

Day 17- A Picture Of Your Favorite Artist

Adele - nothing else needs to be said, she is awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qemWRToNYJY

Romania in pictures

This is my recent trip to Romania in pictures because I'm way lazy and can't be arsed to write anymore, if you want our newsletter just ASK!

Rain

Car Crash

Space For The Launch

Picture Of The Pope In The House We Stayed In

Beautiful Church

Gaz (Love146)

Campaign Poster

Viorica Doing Her Thing

Writing On The Wall Of The Office

The Salt Mines

In The Mines

Bible Verses On The Wall At The Shelter

Me And Viorica Completed Knackered, Going Home.

Day 16 - Something Thing You Love!

I love being married, PUKE enough said.

Day 15 - Something That Means A Lot To You.

Thanks for coming, it means so much that you care enough about me to come visit and see what I'm doing! 

Day 14 - Something Your Afraid Of.

This is very fitting as it has been thunder and lighting for two days and It scares the crap out of me! 

Day 13 - A Picture Of Yourself And A Family Member

This is all of my family, and I miss than more than I could have ever imagined. 

Day 12 - A Picture Of Someone Who Inspires You

Because you are always you! 

My heart breaks for you.

You scare me to be perfectly honest, every time I see you I'm scared but I love you. Whenever I see you I think this isn't what you wanted when you grew up, this wasn't the dream as you played with you dolls or played dress up, you never wanted to be a junkie whore, My heart breaks for you.

You scare me the way you are so out of it, you have no idea what I’m doing or why I am here giving you tea, you cant even hear what I’m saying. You scare me the way your eyes slowly roll back into your head like your trying to see behind you but cant turn your head. The way your knees bend like you want to sit down. My heart breaks for you.

I see you there during the day and I know you are there throughout the night, unable to stop working because you need the next fix. I see you begging but no one will give you money because you're a junkie, I see you working on the street because you're a junkie, where is the way out? I watch you slowly walk away, a guy not far behind, I see you in your state, arranging a fee and take him to the next corner, my heart breaks for you.

I don't know what to say to you, I don't even know where to start, what can I say that you will remember when you come round. I want to do more for you because my heart breaks for you.

People look at you like you're scum because of this life you are living, people look at me with pride because I take the scum tea. You are a tweaker, I’m a missionary, neither of us are doing what we thought we would when we were children - back before you were broken and I was healed but I know you never grew up wanting to be a junkie whore and now my heart breaks for you.  

Day 11 - The Person You Would Like To Trade Places With For The Day!

I would love to know what goes on inside his head! Plus I would like to be kick in the nuts just to see how much it hurts, eat and eat and eat and not get fat, know how it feel to be really smart and what it feels like when I'm horrible. 

Day 10- A Picture Of You And The Person You Have been Closest With For Longest.

No matter how long we are away from each other when we get together its like we were never apart.  

Day 9 – The Person You Have Done the Craziest Things With.

I can't even begin to explain (and shouldn't) half the stuff we have done together, what fun the last 8 years have been because of you. Missing you terribly Gemma-Claire.  

Day 8 – A Picture Of The Person Who Has Got You Though The Most.

The picture really says it all, that's the reason you were all my bridesmaids (and ushers) and why this photo is my favorite and goes everywhere with us. Love you guys thanks for all you have done and still do.

Day 7 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show.

There is nothing I like better after a hard day than to watch an episode or two of Sex and the city a guarantee way of putting a smile on my face. 

Day 6 – A Picture From Your Window/Roof

This picture was taken on the roof of are apartment, we live in a great area in Athens called Thissio although its noisy because of all the café and bars its also really beautiful and we love it.  

Day 5 - A Picture That Can Always Make You Smile.

Lots of great stuff has happened in my life so many photo I look back on and smile at, the photo below has extra significance because laughter and fun was exactly what we had been praying for before we left and it was exactly what we got. Not only does the photo remind me of a great trip but Its also a reminder that God loves to make us happy. 

Day 5 – A picture that can always make you smile.

Day 4 - My Night

The picture below is of the team who go out on a Thursday night outreach. Although it sounds very strange we have a really fun time lots and laughter which is needed and given by God along with getting along side beautiful girls who have come to Greece for a job that is not the one they are doing. The photo below was taking this evening about 12.07am (check the clock in the picture) before we went out on outreach this is the beginning of my Thursday night.

  

Day 3 - Something you hate.

The area we work in has a major drug problem. Just this morning (10.30am) we walked down a busy main street to the office and saw two guys cooking their stash. We carried on and walk passed groups of people either out of it, tweaking for it, or in the process of buying it. The result is a dirty bloody needle littering the pavements, people passed out on the streets, women and men selling themselves to fund the habit and a whole nation unclear how to handle it.

Athens Adventure: Day 2 - My day

Athens Adventure: Day 2 - My day: "Today is May day and we celebrated today with a picnic on the hill. I love spending time with friends on Sunday especially when food is invo..."

Day 2 - My day

Today is May day and we celebrated today with a picnic on the hill. I love spending time with friends on Sunday especially when food is involved, other days don't look this good but today was a good day and so is used for photo 2 of the challenge. My day!  

Athens Adventure: The 30 day photo challenge

Athens Adventure: The 30 day photo challenge: "The idea is that you answer a question everyday with a photo and sometimes a sentence or two. I found this on facebook but i will change a f..."

The 30 day photo challenge

The idea is that you answer a question everyday with a photo and sometimes a sentence or two. I found this on facebook but i will change a few questions as I go along because some are rubbish and will try to update everyday my new photo for the next 30 days. I find being away from my home town and my family and friends things are either better or worse thing just aren't the same and some days I struggle and so I hope this will help me learn a few things about myself. I encourage you to do the same you don't have to start today or even update everyday because I’m sure I wont but do it but do it. 

Day 1 – A picture of yourself with 10 facts.  

1. My birth name was Amanda Collins, through school and until my wedding day I used the name Amanda Kerr and now my only name is Amanda Lombard mum told me the reason I don't have a middle name is because I might have grown up to be stupid and not be able to spell and she wanted to make it easier on me, I think the two surname business was confusing enough.

2. I can't whistle

3. I have never had chicken pox

4. I don't like sauce, no sauce not ketchup or mayonnaise I even sieve my bake bean juice no sauce and when I have to eat it I'm scared I will throw up on my food and shake my legs uncontrollably until I swallow.

 

5. To this day I will not let my feet hang over the side of the bed in fear of the monster that lives under it.

6. I love people watching, sitting in a cafe and watching the people walk passed or walk in, and when they have an argument i'm hooked. I love it.

7. Sometimes I'm nice sometimes I'm a bitch and I think trying to be a nicer person is killing who I actually am and its making me meaner to myself.

8. Sometimes I wish my house would catch on fire so I could see what I would grab.

9. I so sickeningly happily married I think one day he will stop loving me. 

10. I love Jesus more than anything, more than anything! I'm afraid that sometimes I don't live up to that Love but I know that’s universal, but more than that I’m scared my family will never know that love and freedom.

 

A Right Royal Shindig.

The wedding!

As the whole world knows the Royal wedding happened on Friday and I found myself becoming extremely patriotic to the point Chris yelled at me “What's happened to you” as I found myself falling into the trap of goggling Kate and William, the guest list, the procession and wanting the new Royal wedding laptop. A party was in order to celebrate the wedding and my new found love for the Royals. I baked all day on Thursday something that isn't really a chore because I love it, my oven on the other hand I hate it's the size of a microwave and either burns, under cooks or both depending on the mood. 

When Friday came I found myself waking at 8.30 so I could view the guests arrive and I had insider knowledge that the normal (non-celeb guests) had to arrive at 8am and I wanted to be prepared and see all the outfits and the church (which was beautiful). My friends however were arrive at 12.00 and at 11.30 I was still in my pyjamas desperately looking for are friend in the crowd and when we finally spotted him I was able to jump in the shower and be ready for when everyone arrive. The day was so enjoyable lots of food, lots of laughter and yet another fun filled day in Athens I will never forget.  

Easter

I had the most amazing experience of Easter in Athens and although its a bit late I want to share it.

We arrived at the church on Saturday evening about 11.30pm with the Lambada Annette had made earlier and it was full of people inside and out, dressed up to the nines waiting for the resurrection of the Lord. From the tomb of Jesus in Jerusalem a flame is taken and flown to Greece and distributed to the churches all over Greece and at midnight people gather at the church, carrying the unlit candle and at midnight the priest announces the resurrection of the Lord (“Christos anesti”) Christ is risen and the people light their candles. I must say I got emotional when all the candles had been light and the priest had announced “Christos anesti” and everyone stared cheering and fireworks went off from everywhere it was very cool. Most people left after the fireworks had stopped but some stayed for the sermon of which I didn't understand mostly because it was in ancient Greek and a bit because there was lots of kissing icons and blessings I will never get, at one point I got sprayed with Holy water and for a while I thought it burnt no one else found the statement “it burns, it burn I’m melting” funny apart from Annette. After the sermon we walked home with are Holy flames trying not to let the wind blow it out so we could bless are homes by making a cross above the door with the smoke and I got to bed about 3. You got to hand it to the Greek they sure know how to celebrate.  

Sunday was by far the thing that made this Easter the greatest I have ever had, even if I did only have 3 hours sleep. We went to a lovely Greek ladies house for lamb and I mean a whole lamb cooked on a spit since the early hours of the morning. Cooking below the lamb was stuffed intestine Chris told me that the evening before they had been stretched out and stuffed with the offal of the lamb and when we arrived we were greeted with a plate of this to eat. My first reaction was “it tasted like the smell of dog food” but really it wasn't that bad just the thought of it made me feel sick. We had a great day the lamb was so good, so tender and delicious banoffee pie for dessert and a walk on the beach with some great people. What an Easter!

What an Easter!