When we found out we were getting rerouted to Lesvos Island, Greece to help with the refugees, one of the first things I started praying for was to be able to step in their shoes and understand from their point of view. I was tired of listening to what the media said about these people and I wanted to see for myself what this whole crisis is about. I didn’t want to have an anti-Muslim mindset going on which for the most part is the “American” way.
After a long full day of travel from Macedonia to Athens, Greece we had a good nights sleep and had a 12 hour overnight ferry to Lesvos Island. It was a long journey but we were almost there. As we were on the ferry I realized one of my wallets was missing. The wallet with all my identification including the coveted American passport was gone. I panicked for a solid 30 minutes, but what could I do I was literally in the middle of the Aegean Sea. The next day after we arrived on the Island I started research on how to get a new passport. What I learned is the U.S. embassy thats in Athens (12 hour ferry ride back) will issue me an emergency passport.
In the midst of my frantic state, we had a worship service at our base camp. We literally worshiped in an army green surplus tent with several other volunteers from around the world and all different religious backgrounds. It was an amazing time of worship. During worship I was in prayer for peace about the passport issue and making sure God understood my frustration (I’m really honest with Him about my feelings and we have long conversations about things like this). He told me well Mallory you wanted to step into the shoes of the refugees, now you understand a little about what they go through. He also showed me I may not have an American identity but I have an identity in Him and I needed to cling to that.
The same day I found out a family emergency became more emergent. Right after God and I had a long discussion I was thrown into another frantic state. If I would have had my passport I would have gotten on a plane that night and gone to be with family. Daniel and I seriously looked up plane tickets and prices. I realized I can’t go anywhere because I don’t have a passport and I was so angry with God again. Why God?! Why does this have to happen now?!
After a night of crying and praying and praying some more, I realized God physically removing my passport out of the situation was Him being stern with me and letting me know I don’t need to go anywhere. God knows He has to physically close doors sometimes for me to understand. He let me know that there is a reason I’m on Lesvos Island instead of with my precious family.
God showed me through all this when you pray big prayers He makes it happen. I wanted to have a glimpse into what these refugee’s live is like. I’m currently a refugee on Lesvos Island also. I have no form of identification and can’t legally leave Greece. No my lesson is no where near the capacity of a real refugee but I got a small glimpse. I have also been at camp where they go through and walked up the huge kilometer hill to get to that camp from the shore.
God is still working on me to not be so stubborn when He tells me things He means it. Physically removing my passport from the situation, I have to rely on Him that He wants me here on the island for something important. I so desperately want to be home with my family and love on them but I’m doing as told and staying still. God has big plans and I hope to see them out!
