Athens, Greece Nov. 28th.
I sit in the train station reflecting on it all. Five weeks ago we were just pulling into this city, and now here I am leaving it. How quickly this time thing goes by…
My time with the refugees will leave a lasting imprint on my life. To be completely honest I haven’t come into the full reality of the vastness of what I was just a part of. But for my two cents, I want to share a theme from my time here I found absolutely incredible!
Still smiling! The refugees walk past me with an acknowledgement of thanks and a smile on their faces. They’ve been through the unimaginable, but the hope and thankfulness they still carry is intoxicating. They are on there way to literally only God knows where, but they have hope, hope and a taste of true freedom.
Picture by Stephen Zenner
We are a transitional camp for refugees just a few kilometers off the shore. Here they come and refuel with some food and warm clothes. Shoes, however, are a scarce commodity. Most refugees have to venture onward in soaking wet shoes. If you’ve ever hiked around in wet shoes, you can relate. The discomfort and cold is far from pleasant.
I took on many roles during my tenor at the camp, but for the most part I worked with getting refugees on the buses. And here’s what I experienced…
“Bus B,” I announced as I walked around the camp calling out the arrival of the latest bus. A man looked down at his ticket then back up at me with a huge smile forming on his face. He came running over to me and swooped me up in a hug that lifted me up off my feet! That’s the living application of giving thanks and rejoicing in all circumstances!
Seemingly every time a refugee would walk past me on the way to the bus they would thank me. Many would go out of their way to shake my hand. I would often strike up conversations with those who knew some English, and I can’t count the times they’d express how grateful they were for us being there and helping them out. These gestures, although seemingly small in stature, had a huge impact on me.
A few days ago we had one particularly exhausting day. We had seen over 3,000 refugees come through our camp in 24 hours alone. One of the refugees had asked me how I was doing so I took the time to stop for a few seconds to talk with him. In a moment of honesty I said “I’m tired.” He then insisted on giving me a massage, and apparently this guy was a pro in the Middle East or something, cause it was a legendary one! Literally a God send for the moment I was in!
Here’s a gem from Hebrews for you all.
“…we who have fled for refuge might have a strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf…” (Heb. 6:18-20)
Let’s be honest, we’re all refugees in some respect. But here’s the difference maker, regardless of situation; mindset! There’s a passage God has been drilling into me the past few weeks.
“Do not be conformed this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” (Rom. 12:2)
We’ll be in Thessaloniki here in a few hours, so I got to throw this one in for all times sake!
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstance; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1Thess. 5:16-18)
I was talking with one of the Greek volunteers here and he asked me how I felt about my time here. I told him I often felt insufficient and unhelpful. I went on to tell him about those cold nights when hundreds of refugees packed the camp and there we were, out of blankets and warm clothes for them. They would grab my leg as I walked past, give me the universal signal for cold, and all I could do was apologize and try to explain that we were out.
Then he told me something I’ll never forget. “How about the thousands of refugees a day that you are able to get some food and warm clothes for? Have you thought about the impact that has on not just those people, but also the generations to come after them? Stop focusing on the few people you physically can’t help, and start looking at the thousands you do.”
Renewal of the mind. That’s been the big theme in my life lately. When Paul talks about having the same mind of Christ it sounds like a calling worthy of our aspiration!
Last thing I’ll leave with you all. With Africa in the headlights here on Dec. 2nd, I’ve too often found myself losing focus of the present time. There is gold in every session, folks, and I’m tired of missing out on the nuggets right in front of me because I see silver on the horizon. God’s working it all in His perfect time and will, so I think it’s about time I start living in His present presence and leave the rest in His hands.
Here’s what He gave me a few days ago…
Live in the moment, not for a moment.
Thanks again for all the love, prayers, and support! Love you all!
‘til Africa…
