During my Christmas break, I tried writing a blog at least 3 times.
This is what happened each time:
Sit down
Open computer
Repeat mantra “I can do this. I don’t have to be super inspired to write. Just DO IT ALREADY.”
Angry word vomit all over the word document I had started
Slam my computer shut and walk away
That last step was metaphorical. I didn’t actually do that.
Here’s the problem I kept running into: I’m tired of asking for money.
Don’t get my wrong, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities the things God has allowed me to do because of programs that require fundraising. I don’t want to sound ungrateful for any of that, or to anyone who has given. You’ve encouraged me in ways that you probably don’t even realize, and my life has been changed because of it.
But every now and then, a girl just gets tired of asking. Like, really really tired of asking. On a scale of 1 to 10 of how tired I am, I’m at 100.
I feel like a needy persistent bug that keeps popping up in people’s face saying “I need money” and no matter how many times they flick me away, there I am, a week later.
And now I need to ask for more money, because the Fellows and I are going to Lesvos, Greece for 2 weeks and it costs $17,800.
This blog is not about asking.
It will be about my upcoming trip to Greece.
Yes, we still need to raise money.
Yes, if you want to donate, you absolutely can.
But, I will not be asking for any money.
Instead, I’m going to share why it matters so much that we’re going to Greece.
And no, this is not reverse psychology to get you to donate towards the trip.
25 volunteers.
Up 4,000 refugees a day.
That was the reality at the refugee transit point in Lesvos, Greece.
Hundreds of refugees soaked through reach the rocky shore in a black rubber boat, and a sort of orderly chaos begins.
Volunteers rush to get the ones on the brink of hypothermia into medical tents and wrapped in foil blankets. Mothers hand off their babies to someone, anyone who can help them. Grown men bawling that they’ve finally made it. Children, with faces like stone and deep hallow eyes because they’ve endured more pain than most of us ever will.
A ride across the Aegean Sea to Greece costs anywhere between $400-$1,000 per person. The money gets paid to smugglers — the Turkish mob. The boats are often stuffed beyond 2x their capacity, so the chances of them capsizing are much greater. The lifejackets refugees can purchase for an additional cost are filled with seat cushions and offer no real assistance to those who don’t know how to swim.
Put yourself in their shoes.
A woman gave birth to a baby via C-section in Turkey. The very next day, she got into a small rubber boat in the middle of the winter with her newborn to escape to Greece.
Put yourself in her shoes.
A woman handed her child to a volunteer while she changed into warmer clothes at the transit point. A few minutes later, the volunteer realized the baby wasn’t sleeping. He was unresponsive and wasn’t breathing. Thankfully, they rushed the baby to the medical tent and were able revive him.
Put yourself in that volunteers shoes.
There are thousands of people running for their lives. Hundreds of them dying in the process. All of them have had their homes destroyed, and family, friends, and neighbors killed.
We have the opportunity to do something.
We can offer warmth, food, water, hope, love, and encouragement to the refugees.
We can offer help, encouragement, rest, and joy to the volunteers.
The refugee crisis is shaping history. It’s effects are worldwide.
But what if the effects weren’t just negative? What if some good could come out of this horrible situation?
What if love spread like wildfire because of it?
What if it changed lives, even if only a few?
What if hope could become the anthem, instead of despair?
I’ll take those odds.
Just because the situation looks grim and just because it could be dangerous is never an excuse to stand by idly.
In 2 weeks, I’ll be in Greece with 11 others. Remember to pray for us. For energy, wisdom, abounding love, encouraging words, and welcoming smiles.
Pray for life change.
Pray for hope.
Pray for positive outcomes.
