Someone grabbed my arm.
“Please ma’am, we’re freezing to death.”
The words cut through my heart like a knife. The whole “feeler” side of me reacting. This man standing before me, his whole body was shaking in the night air.
The icy breeze blew my hair around my face and I just shook my head at the man and said with a heavy heart,
“I’m sorry, I have no blankets to give you. There are still people who are soaking wet outside who don’t have blankets yet.”
He persisted though, as I stood there waiting for the next group of people to be let in to the camp. My answer was the same every time. I finally had the chance to walk away before he begged me again.
I wanted to help so bad, but I couldn’t.
It’s one of the worst feelings in the world, to not be able to help somebody in need. To say “no” when your whole being wants so badly to say “yes”. To have to be the person who sees their needs but not be able to meet them.
These refugees are more than just refugees; they’re people with stories, hopes, dreams, families, friends and much much more. I’ve heard some of their stories.
A man with his whole extended family of about 30 people walked for 4 days across Afghanistan to get into Turkey, all the while with young children, women, and elderly being driven by the smugglers, forced to walk on and on through the days and nights. When they reached the Turkish border, the Taliban that could have been there, had orders to shoot to kill anyone who tries to cross. Once in Turkey, they pay the smugglers money (anywhere between 1,000€ to 2,500€ per person ) to take the 4 mile journey across the Aegean sea. Luckily their whole family made it across those dangerous waters that have been the escape, but also the death of many people. This is only the beginning of that families journey. Who knows what other circumstances they’ll come across along the way.
That’s just 2 stories. While I’m there at camp we have had over 1,000 people come through in one day.
ONE DAY.
In 3 days, we have seen maybe 4,000 people come in and go out from our transit area. Thats 4,000 people all with their own lives they’re trying to live, to change, to make better for their families and future generations.
I’d like you to ask yourself this: would you be willing?
Would you be willing to leave everything you know behind? Maybe even some family or friends? To leave your possessions behind except for maybe a small backpack, that may or may not be thrown into the sea by smugglers to make more room for people on the raft? To risk your life for something that’s slightly crazy?
I’ve done it/still am doing it. No, I haven’t actually crossed the sea. But I have decided some time ago to follow Jesus wherever He leads. Whether that’s across the street or an ocean. Through some things that are “tough”, or things that are “easy”. Wherever He goes I want to go too. And right now He has me here, in Lesvos Greece serving people who are literally searching for something more.
What an opportunity!
What an opportunity for me and my team to share the love of Jesus with these people. To be one of the first friendly faces they see. To help them when we can, and to give them what they need.
I can think of no place I’d rather be, then right here, and right now. Yes, it can be stressful, yes it can get really crazy and we can get a mob of people trying to shove their way in. But there are also times when you get to play with 3 kids who were soaked, now dry, happy, and laughing while playing with you and waiting for their mother. Or when you hold a baby the size of half a loaf of bread for its exhausted mother. Or when you’re on the midnight till morning shift and you make new friends with people who don’t even speak the same language as you. There are so many little moments like that, that make all the hard ones worth your while.
So, are you willing to see what the Lord has planned for you?
When then Lord’s hand is outstretched towards you and He says,
“Take my hand”,
will you?
“You call me out upon the waters
the great unknown where feet may fail
land there I find you in the mystery
in oceans deep
my faith will stand
and I will call upon Your name
and keep my eyes above the waves
when oceans rise
my soul will rest in Your embrace
for I am Yours and You are mine
Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
will be my guide
where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You’be never failed and You won’t start now…”
Now for an update!
My team and one other is staying here for month 3 instead of moving to Macedonia. I’m so excited to stay here and keep working at the transition camp. God is doing big things here, so please keep my team, all the volunteers, and refugees in your prayers!
Financial update:
I’m so close to reaching my final goal! If 50 people donated about $50 each, I would make my goal! My next deadline is coming up and I would like to be fully funded as soon as I can be, so I can focus on my ministry and not have the thought of still fundraising in the back of my mind. So, please share what I am doing with your friends, doctors, mechanics, whoever! Ya never know who may want to help.
THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who has donated and has been praying for me! Words cannot do justice for how truly thankful I am! I am so blessed by all of you and I really cannot express my gratitude enough.
Cheers my friends!
