Jesus in the midst of anarchists
Athens has a very large and well defined area that is run by anarchists. To give an idea of life in this area, and average of one or two cars is torched every day
In 2013 two clergy began to start a church in that area of Athens. Yes, this is no ordinary church plant.
They have attended meetings with Anarchists, gotten to know them, gained their respect, and have been told that the leaders of the anarchists have given them permission to stay.
The church has a building with four or five houses of hope. But about a block away is a building they were able to purchase which they call Integration. We walked through this building being careful to miss the holes in the floor. Let’s just say this is an Athenianfixer upper. This building will hold at least four houses of hope, a community room, and the room where they will worship.
This began in 2013 under the providence of the One who knew what was coming. In 2015 waves of refugees begin arriving on last bus, some days as many as 10,000.
So this group in the midst of the anarchists was set up by God. The anarchist know they are not typical questions but are radically following Jesus the son of God. When they attend meetings at somebody gives a disparaging statement about Christians often Someone nearby will lean over and say that they don’t mean these guys.
An unusual enterprise, but the leaders are clearly following the path God has laid out for them.
Saturday, July 14, 2018
Showing Jesus and His love—4
We have an apartment for you!
One of the most effective outreaches to Muslims is to help them find an apartment and assistance in getting papers We have visited several of these apartments in Athens. These are called “houses of hope.” Christian organizations have been able to purchase large houses with multiple apartments. Most of the tenants are Muslim.
One family made we met was from Syria and were Muslim. The Christian worker who has helped them brings their children to his church to help with sports and other jobs. other Christians connected with the church reach out to them and pray for them.
Next door to them was a family of Iranian Christians. Their stories are hard to hear. One of the daughters got to Serbia and had to walk for two days to get to Greece, lost and without food and water. She now has to report to the police every week as if she is a common criminal.
Her mother was put in jail for several weeks. They and rainy and Pastor who looks after them went to see her once and had to tell her that God had a purpose for her there behind bars. When he told us that story the mother just being rude. She is a witness for the love of Jesus
One of the most effective outreaches to Muslims is to help them find an apartment and assistance in getting papers We have visited several of these apartments in Athens. These are called “houses of hope.” Christian organizations have been able to purchase large houses with multiple apartments. Most of the tenants are Muslim.
One family made we met was from Syria and were Muslim. The Christian worker who has helped them brings their children to his church to help with sports and other jobs. other Christians connected with the church reach out to them and pray for them.
Next door to them was a family of Iranian Christians. Their stories are hard to hear. One of the daughters got to Serbia and had to walk for two days to get to Greece, lost and without food and water. She now has to report to the police every week as if she is a common criminal.
Her mother was put in jail for several weeks. They and rainy and Pastor who looks after them went to see her once and had to tell her that God had a purpose for her there behind bars. When he told us that story the mother just being rude. She is a witness for the love of Jesus
Showing Jesus and His love—3
Tell me your story.
Bridges is A large structure in Athens that is well known by word-of-mouth. Muslims know that they can go there and be loved. Bauda, the woman who runs it with her husband, is a gifted listener. Each Muslim Who has made the journey to Grace has a story – hardships, persecutions, theft, danger, and much more. About a listens to them and dries them out.
Often she will say to them, “may I pray for you in the name of Jesus? No one has ever turned her down.
She clearly has the gift of mighty prayer and discernment. One emotionally broken person went to see her and could barely talk he was so depressed. Bauda prayed for him to receive a blanket of joy from the Lord. A couple days later he came back. Through an interpreter he said that when bow to pray for him it was like a shower of Joy came over him.
Stacked around the walls and bookcases bridges are many tracks Bible books, and full Bibles in the languages of those who show up.
Bridges is A large structure in Athens that is well known by word-of-mouth. Muslims know that they can go there and be loved. Bauda, the woman who runs it with her husband, is a gifted listener. Each Muslim Who has made the journey to Grace has a story – hardships, persecutions, theft, danger, and much more. About a listens to them and dries them out.
Often she will say to them, “may I pray for you in the name of Jesus? No one has ever turned her down.
She clearly has the gift of mighty prayer and discernment. One emotionally broken person went to see her and could barely talk he was so depressed. Bauda prayed for him to receive a blanket of joy from the Lord. A couple days later he came back. Through an interpreter he said that when bow to pray for him it was like a shower of Joy came over him.
Stacked around the walls and bookcases bridges are many tracks Bible books, and full Bibles in the languages of those who show up.
Showing Jesus and his love – 2
SHOWERS
This community center is designed to give women a safe place for a shower, supervision with her children, and a place for they can sit and talk. The center is an easy walk from the major camp
Once again, the man who runs the Center wisely sees no merit in handing out Christian literature. As with a Moria, however the Muslim women and children know these are the hands the eyes and the hearts of Christian people loving them.
This community center is designed to give women a safe place for a shower, supervision with her children, and a place for they can sit and talk. The center is an easy walk from the major camp
Once again, the man who runs the Center wisely sees no merit in handing out Christian literature. As with a Moria, however the Muslim women and children know these are the hands the eyes and the hearts of Christian people loving them.
Showing Jesus and his love – 1
The first place refugees see on the island of lezbo is the huge camp called MOria. This is the place designed for 1800 people and has 8000 stashed here and there. What keeps it from total chaos is the wise infrastructure of a Christian organization called euro relief.
Knowing that these refugees are less than 12 hours from the boat and the water, the staff at the camp during reassurance at the most vulnerable needs — registration, a tent, and food.
We were there for the morning orientation and heard the rules. They are designed to reflect stability. They are not permitted to give Christian literature. In the Muslim environment Maura, that would be dangerous for the recipients.
So the first step and shine Jesus and his love is simply to love them.
Knowing that these refugees are less than 12 hours from the boat and the water, the staff at the camp during reassurance at the most vulnerable needs — registration, a tent, and food.
We were there for the morning orientation and heard the rules. They are designed to reflect stability. They are not permitted to give Christian literature. In the Muslim environment Maura, that would be dangerous for the recipients.
So the first step and shine Jesus and his love is simply to love them.
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
From before arrival to a warm shower
On a driving tour of the northern part of Lesbos we came upon for people standing around a telescope Burgers that we are, my first thought was a rare sure bird inside.
But no. This team from Spain was focusing their view on boats of refugees.
But no. This team from Spain was focusing their view on boats of refugees. The protocol is to wait until the boat has left Turkish waters and is near the Greek sure. Then they call the rescue operations, and the boats go out to receive the new arrivals.
From there they are taking to Moris why they are documented and give them shelter.
Down the road from the camp is a center where they can have their children entertained and get a warm shower.
Four people arriving with fear, anxiety, and despair, the body of Christ is welcoming them to a secure landing.
But no. This team from Spain was focusing their view on boats of refugees.
But no. This team from Spain was focusing their view on boats of refugees. The protocol is to wait until the boat has left Turkish waters and is near the Greek sure. Then they call the rescue operations, and the boats go out to receive the new arrivals.
From there they are taking to Moris why they are documented and give them shelter.
Down the road from the camp is a center where they can have their children entertained and get a warm shower.
Four people arriving with fear, anxiety, and despair, the body of Christ is welcoming them to a secure landing.
16,000 diapers a week...
Yesterday we had a thorough tour of the refugee camp at Moria. It is largely run by a Christian organization called euro relief. We were present at the orientation for the first shift, which had about 30 volunteers. They cover just about every part of the infrastructure.
The camp is designed to hold 1800 people, but at today’s estimate there are no fewer you The camp is designed to hold 1800 people, but at today’s estimate there are no fewer than 7000 people
16 new arrivals had just come to the camp and euro relief was scrounging around for housing for them. Most refugees stay at Maria for about six months though some have stayed as much as two years.
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More to come about the arm of Christian compassion from arrival to departure.
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