So before I begin posting about the incredible ministry here in Malaysia, I wanted to share some final thoughts and experiences from our time in Greece.
The last week we were in Greece I ended up working the same gate for every shift. The section I was guarding was the Afghan level with a few other nationalities sprinkled in. This section is normally for single men only, but due to space restrictions they began moving small families into tents on the level. There were three families already moved in and more on the way. Their tents were setup around the gate just a few feet away from my bench that I would park myself on for the day. The families were nice and would always say good morning and hi to me, but I could tell that they didn’t know much English. There were 8 kids total between all the families. Most of them looked younger than 8 years old.
I started taking interest in the dynamic of all of them living together in a small space. None of the families looked related, but they all had the same lineage. One day a man came by who spoke English and was friends with the families and he explained to me that this particular lineage in Afghanistan was being persecuted and that’s why they fled. I couldn’t help but wonder how long the families had known each other. Did they meet on a boat trying to cross the waters to Lesvos or was the camp the first place they ever saw each other? Or perhaps they left their village together and have been traveling this entire time together? Regardless, what was inspiring was to see how they all worked together. The three husbands would time to time come together to make a collective decision about who was going for food that day, which family was washing clothes, who’s turn it was to use the electrical outlet, etc. Even more curious was how the fathers would also share responsibility in managing the kids. The kids would listen to any of the dad’s when they were spoken to and every Dad had a right to discipline.
As my shifts went on and they started talking more and more to me I began to see things in their eyes. The lineage as it was explained to me was a peaceful sect that didn’t like fighting. They were peaceful giving people who just want to live in harmony with everyone around them. This became even more evident by the way they would offer me water and food. Slowly I began to realize something though, these people were not just families living in the same space, they were a village. They shared space and the responsibilities of maintaining that space. Every family took pride in the upkeep of their tent and other possessions they had with them.
It was an interesting week as I began to talk to and interact with the kids more and more. One day I was able to talk to one of the dad’s as well. He told me a little bit of his story and what he used to do back home. The next day his kids were much more comfortable with me and lead the way in trying to include me in some made up games they played together. I of course embraced them and by the last day they would all pile on me while I sat on the bench and worked. One day I showed them pictures of Bethany and it became a game to scroll through every picture in my phone to try and find her. These kids were precious and it wasn’t until the last day I was there that I realized something…. I was a part of their village too.
I had responsibilities to guard the tents while they were gone, watch the kids while the parents were out, keep dogs away from tents, and most importantly radio info with different questions they had as they settled in. I was needed and useful. They gave me a place with them and friendship. I began to think about future generations as I reflected on spending time with these families kids. What if every adult in any given church would take on a Sunday school class to serve in, or volunteer to help prepare and participate in VBS every year. What kind of impact could we have on the future of our world if adults would step up, work together to create a healthy environment for the kids of their church, and use their gifts to disciple the future generations? And I’m not just talking about the kids born into the church either. The outsiders like me in this picture also need a place. They need to be taken care of and welcomed, given a place to use their gifts, and most importantly loved.
I hope you have enjoyed my posts from and about Greece. Like I’ve said we are in Malaysia now and having a blast! I’m putting together something special to welcome you into our ministry for the month, or should I say… “manistry” for the month?
Stay Tuned!!!
