Greek Crisis in Numbers [HT: BBC] Would you please take a few minutes right now and pray for Greece? As I’m sure you’ve seen in the news recently, Greece is in turmoil. There is a sense that Greece is on the precipice of disaster. Everyone here, it seems, is at an emotional extreme: fear, anger, and despair… [Read more…]
January 20, 2012
There are always people making profit out of misery. This is the case with refugees. While some suffer, others profit: while refugees decided to leave Afghanistan (or not to return after spending the last 10, 20, 30 years in Iran or Pakistan), smugglers are experiencing a boom. As a crossroads between Europe and Asia, Greece… [Read more…]
December 14, 2011
Hate crime is an ugly, ugly thing. And while it is certainly not the norm in Greece, hate crimes against foreigners (including asylum seekers) have escalated in 2011. Human Rights Watch is documenting some of the difficulties here in Greece. In a report released on Monday, Human Rights Watch found… Victims of racist violence… [Read more…]
November 3, 2011
As new migration crises emerge in the Mediterranean basin and as Frontex’s responsibilities expand, there is an urgent need for a shift in EU asylum and migration policy from an enforcement-first policy to a protection-first policy. This is not only legally required but is a worthy and achievable approach for the EU, its agencies, and… [Read more…]
October 31, 2011
Hi Friends - Happy _________ (choose your own event: Halloween, Harvest Festival, Reformation Day)! Our latest newsletter can be downloaded HERE. Enjoy! If you don’t like pictures or .pdf files, you can find a text-only version of our update below. We’re so thankful that you all are a part of our ministry! We couldn’t be… [Read more…]
October 10, 2011
It’s a cold, raining day. The sky has been gray all day, the rain falls constantly – alternating between a drizzle and downpour. While Athens doesn’t get nearly as cold as more northerly place, the fall is wet and cool – a miserable mix for anyone without a home. Unfortunately, many of our refugee friends… [Read more…]
July 29, 2011
Happy Friday! It’s hot here, but it wouldn’t be a Greek summer without sun and heat. The heat can really be exhausting this time of year… so we move slowly. Anyhow, it’s good to be back. Ramadan begins on Monday – please pray for our Ramadan outreaches. Also, I’ll be preaching on this Sunday at… [Read more…]
April 15, 2011
Happy Friday! Truth be told, we love our church here in Athens! We haven’t shared much about it, but our church here has been a great encouragement in life and ministry. Recently we had a spring picnic for families in a spacious suburban church camp/center. Good times! Here are some snapshots from that picnic, plus… [Read more…]
March 18, 2011
Happy Friday! Spring has sprung here in Athens… or, at the very least, it is springing. Any signs of Spring in your world? To prove our move into Spring (or faux Spring), here are some snapshots from a recent trip to the Acropolis with friends. Enjoy… but don’t be jealous (you’ll have the last laugh… [Read more…]
March 11, 2011
Happy Friday! It’s been a fun weather week here. A beautiful (sunny and almost 60 degrees) beginning and end to the week… but with snow in the middle. Snow’pocalypse 2011! Okay, okay, that might be a tad bit dramatic, but it made for some fun times. The proof’s below. Enjoy!
February 7, 2011
Last week was certainly an adventure, at least as far as transportation is concerned. I’ll spare you the details, but cut-backs to the transportation budget have led to wide-spread striking by all forms of public transit. The buses, trains, and trolleys each called strikes throughout the week (and will quite possibly continue into this week)!… [Read more…]
January 20, 2011
There is hidden beauty around every corner. Athens is beautiful. Athens is quarky. Really there is no other place quite like it. I really enjoyed the video below. So simple, and yet it displays the profound beauty of this place we call home. Enjoy!
January 14, 2011
God is bringing the nations to Athens, Greece. There are well over half a million refugees and immigrants in Greece, the vast majority of which reside in greater Athens. Some estimate that in 2010 between 200 and 300 migrants cross the board from Turkey into Greece everyday! As a cultural, religious, and continental crossroads, Greece… [Read more…]
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February 15, 2012
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