Love, from Iowa

Every day that I have been home, I have missed the hugs of the kids at the ARC, the greetings with the women, and the fellowship of the Helping Hands crew. But God keeps reassuring me that he has perfect timing, and that I am in Iowa for a reason. 

As I return to my "normal" life and start reflecting on the six weeks I spent with Afghans and Persians, I realize that I didn't know much about these people's lives before they got to Greece. A few of them showed me pictures, I asked a couple of the English speakers, and I heard a few from the team. The people I worked with knew very little about me, besides the couple of family pictures I would bring with me. Yet, we were still able to meet each other and learn to love each other for who we are now, not for our pasts or despite of our pasts. What a beautiful thing! 

I've been reading through my journals from Greece, and I am reminded of the encouragement I found in notes from friends, Bible verses, and in the chaos of Saturday Tea Houses at the ARC. Here is an entry from my first experience with the Tea House. I hope you can get a taste of the craziness that happens at the ARC, yet still sense that Christ is moving in this place.

Between being dragged out into the main room to sit with some girls from camp and trying to fulfill my duties in the kid's room, I felt very loved and in awe of the kingdom work done here. We may just be doing crafts, serving tea, offering a place to hang out, and a Jesus movie, but it's a safe place for these humans (once oppressed, now displaced- in a sense "homeless") to find freedom in Christ. Or at least notice the freedom others have in Christ. I was confused to see a friend leave with her brother and mother, but not her father. Then I was overjoyed to see him come out of the seeker's class! He can learn about Christ here because this is a safe place.

In church yesterday, Pastor Bob read several passages to show that without Christ, any ministry we do on earth is futile. He said (in a nutshell) that "there should be a change, a presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. All the activity in our lives is because of Christ and should be centered around Christ." One of the passages that he read was 1 Peter 4:8-11.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another with out grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

As I listened to this passage, I immediately thought of the Helping Hands ministry and the love that is shared there. I thought of the hospitality shown to me by the M family in their one room home. I thought of the way people spoke so boldly about Christ to those who could and would reject them. Please continue to pray that the Holy Spirit will be very present in the lives of our friends in Greece, refugee or not. I thank you for your prayers throughout the summer; truly, each  thought and prayer turned into a blessing!

The adventure continues...

The week of "lasts" has arrived. And not with much welcome, too. But God has a perfect plan, and for me it only calls for one more week in Athens, at least in this time of my life.

The goodbyes have started already. In the last week, I've had to say goodbye to four coworkers, four people that I miss already. Today I said goodbye to some friends we have made in this time. But truly, the worst goodbyes are to come.

This past week has been challenging and life-giving and I am reminded of my need for reflection. The challenges have been mainly within myself-- finding that I fear leaving this place, that I fall short in my patience and willingness to truly put others before myself, that I still choose fear over faith sometimes. The time for reflection will come. But how can I possibly process the life I've been living and the life that I want to continue living in a week, when I'm back at home? I cannot believe that there is only one week left.

In this post, however, I want to focus on the life-giving. Friday, Christy, one of the staff members here, asked if I would like to visit a family whose daughters I have gotten close to. This is something I've been looking forward to; the oldest daughter asked me weeks ago, "You, me, house." Finally I could make her wish come true!

Having visitors in the Persian culture is a thing of honor. Especially for new visitors, the family will go out of their way to make sure you are comfortable and enjoying your time. This family (the "M" family) shares an apartment with another refugee family, as is typical here. When I say their home, I am referring to one room that should feel like a very efficient room. It serves as the dining room, living room, and about four bedrooms. I remember being grateful for the worn yellow and blue Persian rug in the room; it made it feel lighter and a little larger. They share a bathroom and refrigerator-less kitchen with the other family. The lack of refrigerator makes it hard to keep food, especially leftovers if/when they are able to cook. It also means no ice or cold drinks in this unrelenting heat. The Ms do have a sort of foyer/storage room that is defined by a few shelves that hold precious few belongings, a broken fridge that serves as the only place to keep clothes, and a hanging blanket that defines the M's space from the other family's.

Christy and I were given seats on the thicker of the two mattresses, and pillow for our backs. The one fan was always pointed in our directions, also. A Hindi movie was put in for our enjoyment, although we didn't watch much of it. The family members sat around us (the girls) or on the floor (the parents and older son). Christy and I had brought some Barbies that the ARC had in storage, and I was confused as to why the girls didn't rip into the boxes to start playing with them. After seeing them placed on one of their few shelves, I realized these would become prized possessions, one of the few toys they have.

We were served cold juice and cookies right away. Our glasses were the only ones to have ice. After an hour or so, we were served lunch. We were asked to sit in the most honorable seats-- those far from the door. Our plates of rice had considerably more raisins and carrots than the others, and we were given a whole plate of chicken and fries to share among the two of us, while the six family members shared the same amount. They kept serving us food, even after we were full, and then tea, candy, and watermelon afterwards!

The whole visit I was honored by their hospitality and the clear lengths that N, the mother, went to for my comfort. The children and I played cards together, tossed a ball around, played games, and I spent the last part of the visit drawing them. They are very willing to sit for five minutes while I drew really really rough sketches of them! (I made sure to label which drawing was whom because otherwise, they wouldn't be able to tell!)

Through Christy's translating, I was able to learn more about their lives. They came from Iran about a year ago, the children not fully understanding why they had to leave the perfectly okay life they were leading there. It is clear from the photos they showed us that they lived comfortably there and the kids were able to go to school. Here the children take Greek and English lessons and don't have reasonable space to play. Throughout the hours that we spent there, I knew that I was digging myself deeper. This family is trying to leave Athens, I'm sure (most refugees don't divulge details of plans), so I know that even if I come back to Athens someday that this family may not be here. Who knows if and how they will leave? It is scary to think about what may happen.

The four daughters are so spirited, strong-willed, and full of life. They insist on painting your nails and then playing volleyball. They love being tickled and dancing together and sitting in my lap. They shower my cheeks with kisses and my neck with their embraces for several minutes before we ever actually depart. And they have officially made this last week harder because of their love and loyalty and life.

Please pray for the M family. For God's providence in their lives, for their hearts to be opened to the Spirit, for their love for others and each other to stay strong. Please pray that the relationships they are making with believers will grow stronger and deeper and are filled with trust. Please pray for their safety and health. And again I ask you to pray for their hearts to be opened to Christ. I pray that when I get to heaven, I will see their faces and will feel their kisses and embraces once more.

As this week rounds out, please keep Lindsey and I in mind and prayers as we start the process of goodbye. Other prayer requests:
-Team visas-- visas to Greece are becoming increasingly difficult. Please pray that paperwork will go through and that God's will will be acknowledged one way or the other.
- Love, patience, and hospitality in each person that works with Helping Hands-- may others see Christ in us.
- For Greece, and the increasing amount of stress here
- For the ability to think through the dwindling time here and for our re-entry into the States
- For other SOSers who are facing the same emotions in settings all over the globe

This week I thank God for my friends, as you can read in a previous post. I thank God for his grace when I choose fear over faith. Mostly, though, I thank God for the Trinity. His Son and the Spirit which bring hope, peace, love, strength, and goodness. I hope that you may feel overwhelmed by his love and that you may find peace and rest this week. 

Romans 12:10

I know I just posted a couple of days ago, but I have been feeling so dog-gone blessed by the friendships and the love that I have been experiencing lately. This love comes from many avenues: the letter from an old friend, a message or two from loved ones back home, the strong hugs and friendly kisses from Persian children, the hospitality from the Morleys, the guidance from teammates, the laughter with new friends... 

How can I hold this in? Take a moment today to pray for the blessings in your life that we call "friends" or "loved ones." (Or "kindred spirits.") Thank God for them, ask him to send them love in mighty ways today. If you don't like to pray, then take a moment to be intentionally grateful for the love in your life. 

Now I challenge you to reciprocate those blessings. Go out of your way to encourage someone, even if it is a stranger. Don't ignore those whispers from God (trust me, you don't feel great when you do!) and be bold. Here's a piece of advice from a team member here: If you are feeling God whisper for you to do something and you are afraid, ask yourself this: What am I losing if I do this act? If you are only going to possibly embarrass yourself, then you really have nothing to lose. Isn't it worth the possible embarrassment to go out of your way to show someone love? 

My heart feels full when I reflect on the love that I have in my life. Thank you for that love, and thank you for showing it to others. I pray that God will send you love in mighty ways.

courage

It has been a while since posting... I feel like Lindsey and I have been so busy they past couple of weeks! Lately we have been invited to several staff members' homes for a meal and fellowship, and I am so grateful for the hospitality shown to us.

This past Monday, a team member took us to ancient Corinth to see the ruins and hear about the history (this man is like an encyclopedia!). That night I became really convicted about how much I don't know about my own faith and its history. Working with people from the Islamic culture and learning a little about the Jewish culture, I realize how Christianity in general doesn't permeate our lifestyles in ways that truly make us uncommon for Christ.

At Corinth we hiked up the old citadel to an old temple-- it was a temple that housed many prostitutes and now stands as old stones overtaken by grass. The journey, though, was very similar to one that Jesus would take up a mountainside when he spent time in solitude.  Here is an excerpt from my journal that evening:

Hearing of all the persecution Paul went through, one realizes that this man was crazy for Christ: he was in love, devoted (set apart) because he followed his Rabbi's footsteps so closely, fulfilling the Rabbi's two main purposes. Learn and become like Jesus (our teacher), and go out to make more disciples.


Isn't that what I should be doing? ...following Christ's teachings so closely that it would be a challenge to NOT follow his footsteps...I eagerly expect and hope and pray that Christ will give me sufficient courage to exalt him. Isn't it odd that I have to ask for his help to do his work? Yet it is a trade I want to learn... I should be tripping on the heels of Jesus, yearning to see as he sees, think as he thinks, feel as he does, to act and speak like Jesus. 

As I hear and learn more about the boldness of some of the refugees, especially the women, I realize that I am witnessing the transformations that the Helping Hands staff works towards. It is amazing to see the crazy ways that the Spirit has been providing for people. For example, today I was thankful for smart phones and Skype. Working in the children's room, I noticed a gruff-looking man with a headset holding a phone up to one of the children (who lives in a park). During investigation, I learned that this man was using Skype on his phone to show the child's mother what her son was doing, to see his face, and to hear his voice. She lives in Germany now.

This next week I am looking forward to some great fellowship- with teammates and with friends we have made along the way here! Lindsey and I have been able to get a bit of the Greek culture thanks to a Greek couple on the team. We may be able to spend a day at the beach with some of the women and children from the ministry. Also, I think we are going to see the Acropolis with a fellow intern, Kelsey.

Here are some things to keep in your prayers:
- For humility, peace, and reconciliation
- For boldness to not run from God's voice
- For Greece
- For continued boldness and strength for our Persian friends who are seeking or are believers
- For the team's Sabbath- may it be all that God intended!
- For "R"-- please pray for this young boy!

Here are a couple of praises that are too good to keep inside:
- A young mother who just became a believer was getting evicted because of her curiosity with Christianity- another refugee woman has opened up her very small living space to this young mom and her family.
- We have seen a few quick answers to prayer-- including a few days of cooler weather!

I really hope that you feel the love of Christ today. Thank you for reading, for caring, and most of all: for your prayers. I don't know if I can express to you how much those mean to me! Goodnight.