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 28, 2011
Happy Friday! We’re enjoying a day off today, as we celebrate a Greek national holiday: OHI Day. Ohi – in Greek, όχι – means “no” and Ohi Day marks Greece’s refusal to succumb to Mussolini’s demand that Greece allow Axis powers to occupy the nation (28-Oct-1940), as well as Greece’s participation in WWII. School children… [Read more…]
September 26, 2011
Well, it’s late September and starting to feel like Fall (I realize that it has felt like Autumn in some places for several weeks… but here in Athens, Fall is just beginning to show up). It seems like a great time to review some of the happenings of the summer months. Whether you’re new to… [Read more…]
August 22, 2011
Almost all of the refugees that come to us are hoping simply to pass through Greece on their way to Europe. However, most find themselves stuck: no hope of asylum in Greece, no path forward (into Europe), no way back (whether to Afghanistan, Iraq, or Algeria). Many are desperate. Just a few weeks ago, several… [Read more…]
August 4, 2011
Hi Friends - We hope that you’re summer is going well! Our latest newsletter is here (or see below for a text-only version). Thanks for your prayers and partnership! Also, check out some new music – http://songsfortheoppressed.org/ – for a great cause. Use partner code US1332, and $5 of the proceeds go our ministry here… [Read more…]
April 1, 2011
Happy Friday! I’ve been MIA from the blog this week. Just too busy. One highlight was a few visitors from the International Teams offices in France and the US. I’m excited to see how God is bringing together people from around the world to join Him in reaching the nations from Athens! Last weekend I… [Read more…]
March 21, 2011
Hi all! Thanks for your prayers and support. Download our latest newsletter here (read it, print it, laminate it, file it… whatever; the options are limitless). If you’re not so much into beauty, truth, and goodness, you’ll find a text-only version below. In all seriousness, thank you immensely for your partnership in our ministry. We… [Read more…]
March 7, 2011
Here in Greece, the Season of Lent begins on a Monday, not a Wednesday. Today is that Monday - “Clean Monday.” Clean Monday is a day of repentance, forgiveness, and purification. Practicing Orthodox Christians will avoid meat, eggs, dairy products, and most fish from now until Easter. So, as Lent begins, Greeks here celebrate with… [Read more…]
January 24, 2011
Thanks for your continued love, prayers and support. God is changing live and even the future of nations from right here in Athens… all to His glory! And you are a part of it. Thank you! Would you spend a few minutes now and pray? Pray for our family – safety, health, growth. Pray for… [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…]
January 4, 2011
Greece is desperate to find some way to control the influx of immigrants and asylum seekers. The UN reports that almost 40,000 “irregular migrants” arrived in Greece (via Turkey) in the first 11 months of 2010 – that’s compared to 7,500 over the same period in 2009! It’s estimated that around 90% of all illegal… [Read more…]
December 22, 2010
The UNHCR (the UN’s refugee agency) recently posted the video below. It follows “Moujad,” a Sudanese refugee, through the Greek port city of Patras. Perhaps the city rings a bell. We visited to see the refugee situation there firsthand last year (see here and here). Please pray for the churches of Patras – pray that… [Read more…]
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January 20, 2012
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