The following was written between the days of Jan 2-3 while on my way to Lesvos Greece.
Last night I cried myself to sleep.
I bet you weren’t expecting that but it’s true and I am not ashamed of it. That wasn’t the first time either. After all, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35) and so did I. Ever since I signed up for this trip weeping before I fall off into a deep sleep has become a common occurrence. You see it’s right before I fall asleep, in that quiet moment in time where I am left on my own with my thoughts, that I begin to see their faces, sometimes I even hear their voices. I see waterfalls of tears and faces overcome with fear. I see the faces of exhausted souls and tired hearts. I see the faces of young children, unsure of why the world is the way it is. I see tired mothers with wrinkles of stress on their faces, wondering if they will be able to deliver their children to a safer place and out of harm’s way. I see them so clear as if they were standing right in front of me. “This is why I must go,” I tell myself, “to help these precious souls.” I don’t know who they are or what they did before they were forced to leave their homes. All I know is they are desperately in need of help and I am willing and able to do so, so why not? You see, I love these people more than I myself can understand. I don’t know them, I’ve never even met them before. Heck, I’ve never even been on the same continent as them and yet I feel this heavy pull on my heart towards them. When I see their faces I weep because I love them dearly. They may be from Syria or Afghanistan. They may be muslim or a faith different than my own, but regardless of what religion they choose to follow or whatever plot of land they may come from, they are my brothers and my sisters.
They are humans and they need help.
Going to Greece was God’s way of throwing a huge curve ball my way. I returned home from the World Race at the end of May 2015 with the expectation of going to Spain in January 2016 to attend the G42 Leadership Academy. My deposit was made and I was committed. Then one day in October I read a blog that had been recently published by Adventures in Missions CEO Seth Barnes. He shared his heart on the current refugee situation over in Greece and expressed his passion to send teams of missionaries over to aid in the crisis. There it was, the call was sent out. Immediately I heard it but thought to myself, “well I’d love to go but I’m already committed to Spain so that’s that.” Throughout that next week my mind was racing with thoughts of the refugees and that trip. Just like when I was considering going on the World Race, I kept thinking of why I couldn’t go, whether it be prior commitments or financial limitations. What I failed to recognize in that moment was here was God sending out a clear invitation, an open hand saying, “Come with me.”
It didn’t take long to recognize that this is what I was supposed to do and before I knew it I was signed up for the trip. Luckily there were still open spots for the April semester of G42 so I was able to push it back that way it would not conflict with Greece.
So here I am, writing this, sitting in an airport on my way to the Greek island of Lesvos. Once there I will spend the next 5 weeks welcoming refugees onto the island, helping them off the boats, and providing them with dry clothes, food, water, and other supplies. It’s not much, but it’s the very least I can do. On paper it sounds simple, but in reality I know it is going to be much more challenging than it seems. I will see things no human should have to see. I will witness the unfortunate outcome of what civil war and constant chaos can do to the human spirit. There’s a good chance I will see overturned boats in the water, maybe even bodies floating ashore. The reality is not pretty but regardless of the circumstances, I have been given the incredible opportunity to welcome these people with open arms and smiles. To be a beacon of light and hope in a time and place where there is neither. They may have stared death and despair in the face but once they reach that island they will be greeted with the same love and compassion my savior first greeted me with.
I ask that you keep these people in your thoughts. Say an intentional prayer for them before you go to sleep tonight, it doesn’t have to be more than a few simple words. And then say a prayer for me. That I may remain strong throughout these next 5 weeks. That I may radiate the same love and spirit that rose Christ from the grave.
I also wanted to say thank you to all of my supporters. To anyone who has helped me in any capacity leading up to this trip whether it be financially or through prayer and intercession. You have done more than you will ever know and have already played a huge role in bringing God’s Kingdom here on Earth, as it is in heaven. Sure it will be my face these people see, but it is because of you that I will be able to stand there and welcome them to safety. From the deepest depths of my heart, THANK YOU!
Con Amor y Compasión,
Joshua
Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.
-Isaiah 35:3-6
