After a wonderful Bulgarian goodbye party and convoluted travel day, our entire squad arrived in Thessaloniki, Greece, which is my favorite spot so far. Palpable sea air, juice bars, salty wind, and animated discussion surround me. High fashion stores neighbor ancient ruins. My team is staying in a church while the rest of the squad is staying in a nearby hostel. It’s been amazing to have our own space again, especially because I’ve been able to use the church guitar to play worship music.
Typically, we have two days off per week: one for adventure and one for rest. This month was set up differently because our host was traveling for work. Our adventure days were grouped together, so we were able to relax at a gorgeous beach. A group of us hiked for two days and stayed in a lodge at the base of Mount Olympus. It was beautiful but very difficult for me. I was not physically prepared to reach the summit on the second day, so instead I ate spaghetti and Snickers and slept in.
Living in the midst of the refugee crisis is intense and nuanced. Although there is so much work to be done and needs to be met, we are not allowed access to the refugee camps. The government has barred most non-profit organizations and churches from working within the camps, since they want to encourage local employment. I’m also a young, blonde female. Three strikes.
Our route does not include any Middle Eastern or Asian countries, so it has been an unexpected cultural shift to work with Syrian, Iraqi, and Afghan refugees. How do we strike a balance of respecting their culture, integrating them into European society, and spreading the message of Jesus? How do we meet primal needs like food, clothing and shelter without creating a cycle of dependence?
When praying over this month, God spoke to me saying, “I am a refuge for the refugees.” A refuge is a place of safety and security, a shelter, a sanctuary. However, many refugees experience violence, rape, racial tension, and poor living conditions in the camps. Ultimately, God is the only refuge we can rely on. Deuteronomy 33:27 says, “The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you.”
When facing the possibility of working in the camps, fear filled me. We were ordered: Wear pants, closed-toed shoes, and cover your shoulders. Always walk in pairs. In case of emergency, meet at the abandoned railroad track. We were informed: You may not have access to food, water, or a toilet. The heat is strong. Hydration is essential. Plan accordingly. We were warned: Don’t make eye contact with men because it may be interpreted as a sexual invitation. Don’t shake hands with men because it may be interpreted as adultery. Don’t mention our church name or your Christian affiliation. Mothers may try to hand off their babies to you. Kids will have lice and psoriasis. They have adopted a mob mentality.
Immediately after I received that word for the refugees, God gave me a personal word. He led me to Psalm 91: “If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.” God is not only a refuge to the people I am getting to know, but he is a refuge to me as well. I needed to be filled with his confidence in order to enter the camp with the necessary perspective and stamina to fulfill his plans.
In my next blog, I’ll tell you about the day a group of us were allowed in one of the camps. In the meantime, please pray for our ministry here, the refugee crisis, and for my friend’s recovery from a motorcycle accident! Thank you!
