The Basics

Before posting my first update next week. I wanted to take a minute to give those of you who may not know about the ministry here the basics of what we do. There are hundreds of thousands of Refugees who have flooded Greece mainly from the Midlle East and Africa. These people have fled their own countries because of war, famine and persectution. Their goal is to get to the Western World in hope of a better life. A cultural, continental, and religious crossroads, Athens provides a unique opportunity to join God’s work among the nations. Greece hosts nearly one million refugees and immigrants, many from Muslim backgrounds: Afghans, Iraqis, Iranians, Palestinians, and Somalis, to name a few. Helping Hands – a Greek registered non-profit organization – seeks to share Christ with this community by practical demonstration (e.g. feeding, clothing, and shelter ministries) and explicit proclamation (e.g. preaching, teaching, and discipleship ministries) of the Gospel. It is our desire that every refugee have the opportunity to experience Christ’s love in word and deed. Kent and I both work at the Athens Refugee Center (ARC). I work with children and women both at the ARC and when we have outreach events. Kent teaches English, helps at men's showers and meets with men in small groups. We both help out in the kitchen serving food, making tea and doing whatever is needed. We love to host refugees and team mates in our home and see this as a big part of our work here. We are supported by several churches and a large group of faithful partners who contribute regularly in order for us to be here. Before we came I was moved by the verse in Psalms 46:10 that says "Be still and know that I am God, for I will be exalted among the nations" The "nations" are gathered here in Athens and our desire is that His name is exalted in all that we do.