Hi Friends, Greetings from cold and raining Athens! Life continues to march onward here: Sofia and Emma are growing up so quickly; the ministry is busy and constantly changing; each day is full of great challenges and great celebrations. Life doesn’t slow down, but neither does God’s care and provision. Thanks so much for being… [Read more…]
January 12, 2012
One of the most difficult parts of refugee ministry is that we’re constantly saying goodbye to people we’ve come to love dearly. That’s the case again this week, as another good friend moves on from Athens. “A” is a strong woman. She came to Athens from Afghanistan with five children and a drug addicted husband… [Read more…]
December 27, 2011
Hi all - We hope everyone had a great Christmas: full of joy, laughter, and – most of all – Jesus! Hot off the press – you can download our latest newsletter here! A text-only version is available below. Thanks so much for your love, support, and prayers! By God’s Grace - Brett, Kristin, Sofia… [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 28, 2011
Hi Friends, We hope that your Thanksgiving was full of joy, laughter, and gratitude! We had a fun time here in Athens, gathering with teammates and remembering God’s grace in our lives. We are incredibly thankful for each of you – our support team around the world! Your partnership in this ministry is vital. So… [Read more…]
October 12, 2011
After talking about the quiet desperation of refugees earlier this month, I thought that it would be appropriate to share more hopeful stories. Here is an update from my teammate Tasha: Hello from Greece! The past few weeks have been crazy here with the increasing numbers of refugee families needing help. It has been overwhelming seeing… [Read more…]
October 3, 2011
I really appreciated this update from our teammates Kent & Myrna. Please read: The definition for despair is: 1) To lose all hope; 2) To be overcome by a sense of futility or defeat… More and more we are seeing refugees who are “living lives of quiet desperation” (Henry David Thoreau). A few days… [Read more…]
September 9, 2011
Happy Friday! September is here and Fall is right behind it (or even already here, depending on where you live). Today’s edition of Friday’s Photos is a a look at the faces around our ministry center. Each face is a story, a life, a dream unrealized. Would you take a moment and pray over the… [Read more…]
September 5, 2011
We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him… [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…]
August 1, 2011
Ramadan begins today. This is a holy month for Muslims around the world, a time marked by fasting and prayer. Many of our Muslim friends here in Athens will honor this holy month by not eating, drinking, or smoking during daylight hours. More importantly, it is seen as a time to seek God – seeking… [Read more…]
July 18, 2011
Wow – I can hardly believe that it is already late July! Where did the summer go? I guess that’s what happens when you head back to the States for four weeks in mid-June. Anyhow, I thought that it would be appropriate to catch you up on the happenings of the summer thus far (even… [Read more…]
June 21, 2011
Kent N. Jorna – (December 20, 1945 – June 20, 2011) Kent N. Jorna, age 65, of Chicago Heights, IL, passed away Monday, June 20, 2011. Beloved husband of Myrna K. Jorna nee DeHaan. Loving father of Heather (Ed) George, Tracey (Bill) Haak and Kristin (Brett) Sanner. Dearest grandfather of Billy & Mikayla Haak and… [Read more…]
June 12, 2011
Hi Praying Friends - Thanks for your love, encouragement, and prayers. Thanks especially for your prayers for Kristin’s dad, Kent. Kent’s lung collapsed “almost completely” on Friday. The doctors described this as a “catastrophic event” – which is in addition to a number of other complications. Kent is no longer alert or responsive. We pray… [Read more…]
June 10, 2011
Happy Friday! I’ve been a bit behind on the blog over the past few weeks… but only because we’ve been busy, in a good way. We appreciate your prayers! 1 – Celebrate with us: (i) One family of Afghan believers just got asylum here in Greece (this kind of victory doesn’t happen often)! (ii) A… [Read more…]
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January 30, 2012
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