Establishing the Cypriot Family

The history of this island of Cyprus is one of colonization and trade; from its earliest times Cyprus has seen the continual coming and going of one nation or race after another. It is not surprising today then, to find Greeks, Turks, Armenians, Arabs, Australians, etc. etc. on this island-state presided over by Arch Bishop Makarios.

My first thoughts upon landing were concerned with finding rooms and a job to establish a Divine Principle foundation here in Nicosia, which is the capitol of Cyprus.

From the time of being called to go on this mission until the point of departure was a matter of three days, but in the Principle we can expect sudden change and variety. And so at one minute I had been drenched with English rain and at the next I was staring at the longest cluster of lemons and oranges I had ever seen under a sun where rain has not fallen for over a year! From the fish and chips of Britain to the citrus fruits of Cyprus involved a 5-hour plane ride. Cyprus may be hot and beautiful, but its problems are many.

Today I pray that our Father will provide the means by which the heart of this land can be opened. The drought is more than just a physical phenomenon, — the people in this island are thirsty for truth. Already our Father has sent me good-hearted people and I long to teach Principle in its entirety instead of just

feeding it in small bits and pieces over Turkish coffee and Kebabs (Greek hamburgers).

In the short time in which I have been here, already there has occurred two bombings and several assassinations. My black banjo case raises a great many eyebrows and speculation — hospitality has always been a tradition here in Cyprus and today people maintain this custom. Nevertheless, westernization is happening more quickly now and people day by day are increasing their give and take with Satan; as they seek after their own fortunes and happiness, then inevitably people become isolated and selfish — already this occurs.

Our Father will show me the way into the minds of the Turkish and the Greek people, of this I am sure. Both races tend to adhere firmly to their religion and it will need a principled atom bomb to shift them into several gears and teach them Chapter 1.

There are many European people here, Americans, Arabs, etc. In fact, Cyprus is so cosmopolitan that ideally one should know the Fall of Man in seven languages to be able to subjugate Satan properly. It is sad though that most of this variety of races is on account of military presence and there are more soldiers than civilians in some parts of Nicosia.

Today I teach English for several hours per week to Greek children — the spiritual world works very much in the classroom and many interesting examples have arisen. Soon I hope to give a comprehension lesson using parts of Principle as the material to be comprehended. In this way perhaps these children (aged 16 — 18) may slowly hear and know all of Principle.

When we are on our own on a mission for our Father, we must pray and pray unceasingly, day after day, week after week. In this way we can experience in some minor degree the colossal spiritual battles which our Leader fought — he was alone but we have our Family across the globe to be thankful for and from whom to receive perpetual spiritual support.

I pray that this nation of Cyprus can serve this world and its brother and sister nations. Mansei!