I wrote this about a week ago, but never got around to posting until now. My sincere apologies for its delay!
So, here it is:
As I am sitting here typing this, I am pondering everything that has happened over the past few weeks. Being here in Thessaloniki has opened my eyes to see things in ways I never have before. Opened my eyes to his people, his kingdom, and his heart. Needless to say it has been a challenging month, but one I will not forget.
Our squad was very fortunate to have a flexible month where we were often able to seek out ministry opportunities on our own and follow the spirit. This would often look like prayer walks around the city, sitting and praying with families in parks, chalking up the local square, and providing food, showers, and laughter at our local drop-in center.
We all wanted to go into the camps, but it caused me to stop and question the intention of my heart. Why did I truly want to go? Was it because my heart was truly breaking for them or just to do something good that I could type out here for you all to see? These are thoughts we often don’t want to admit, but they do cross our minds.
After fervent prayer and doing life with the community we were surrounded by, the Lord opened up a door for us to go into the camps. Some of us were able to serve alongside of the A21 organization whose mission is to provide awareness of human trafficking and abolish this injustice in the 21st century. Before I continue on, I have a story to share with you. One that I learned from an evening at the camps.
Tonight we went into the camp in order to provide outreach to the Kurdish community from Syria. Many set up the movie screen to provide them with entertainment and awareness for the evening, while myself and several others went into the camp to invite all of the families to come and join us. We conversed with the families with broken English and hand motions in order to extend this invitation. The kids were so excited that they ran to tell so many others. One little girl in particular held my hand the entire way and did all of the talking for me.
In all, 267 adults and children came to the showing of a simple family film, Madgascar 2. Throughout the movie, the kids were very interactive and clapped when exciting or funny things happened. These children loved showing affection and ran up to us constantly longing for hugs and love. And we were very willing to lavish it all upon them.
From the beginning of the movie, a little girl sat in my lap and stayed there the entire movie. She was so content. She didn’t need me to talk to her or do anything else but just hold her. Just being held and snuggled up close was enough. We didn’t speak the entire time. When the movie was over, she immediately got up from my lap and walked away. I knew it was late and probably time for bed, but I was still perplexed and sad that I didn’t get to say goodbye for this would be the only night I would be coming to see her.
After 5 minutes had passed, I was met by tiny hands touching my back. I turned around and there she was; my little girl. Barreling towards me to give me the biggest kiss on the cheek. I looked at her and kissed her cheek as well and was also greeted by her entire family who came along just so she could kiss me bye. Their eyes were filled with so much joy and love.
I may have never gotten to know her name or her story, but one was definitely created tonight. A story of a little girl whose face is forever captured in my mind and heart.
There were many stories like this in Greece. Stories of heartache as we sat with families at the camps and local parks. You could feel the hurt, the pain, and the oppression they have endured on their journey. But my continual prayer for them is that hope would fill their veins. That it would flood their body to an overflowing capacity.
The Lord had prepared me to enter into those spaces. He had given me his heart and eyes to see his people because I was willing to ask for it. These people are real, their stories also, real. It’s not just another experience to reflect on and say “oh yea, I did that,” but one that brings you back to your knees in prayer. To intercede on their behalf and entrust them continually into the Father’s hands.
That’s the posture I long my heart to be in. That’s my prayer and one I want to be continuous in. To fully surrender it all into his care. Because he cares deeply for us ALL.
