Upon arrival at the Refugee Center, we thought that we were bringing hope. However, as we started to serve and hear stories, we soon became hopeless and overwhelmed with every day stories of real people and situations. We realized that they hoped in Greece and finding a place to begin again, but when they arrived in Greece, the opportunities weren't what they had hoped for. The truth is the situation for refugees in Greece is disheartening. Greece is a country struggling economically with 40% unemployment for their own people. In addition, other countries are closing their doors to refugees. This has created an endless holding pattern in a country that can not offer jobs. These displaced people can't go back, and the present situation does not offer them much hope of going forward. We realized quickly that, in ourselves, we didn't have anything to give or offer. There were many great ideas but, being short- term, none of them would be able to work out to have a more lasting effect on the refugees.
As the time went on, we stopped looking at ourselves and what we could give. We realized that Jesus is their only hope; even more, Jesus needs to be our only hope. The truth went deep that having a personal relationship with Jesus is the only Hope in the midst of devastating situations.
We were even challenged in what we were hoping in. Were we hoping in the provisions that God provides us or in God, Himself? If we were to lose our homes and the things in our homes, as well as the people in our lives, would we still be able to help others find hope in Jesus Christ and Him alone?
These were some challenging questions that were brought to mind and caused us to think. During the last couple days in Greece, as we realized that Jesus is the only true Hope and a relationship with Him could be the only hope, we started to really see what God was doing among the refugees.
We heard stories of the Greece church being set on fire because they had something bigger than themselves to serve. There were other stories about churches in Germany ( the final destination for many of the refugees) needing more Arabic and Farsi translators because refugees were knocking on their doors asking why Christians had helped them along their journey.
Jesus was becoming these refugees Hope. They were waking up every day with purpose and serving because they knew Jesus Christ, and they wanted to give and share Jesus with their fellow refugees.
Dan, Olive, and I also learned other lessons like God really opening our eyes to the outcast and befriending them. One day it was an Iran refugee family at a downtown park that we encouraged Olive to play with the children and another day it was an Afghanistan refugee family at the beach that we just sat with and shared snacks with. We learned that loving people means we're just called to do what we can in that moment. Maybe it is something very simple like a cup of cold water ( or a snack on the beach). However, God can use that little something to touch people's hearts.
We are forever changed by our time in Greece. Thank you for partnering with us to serve God there.
