The [ T I M E ] Between

As soon as we left the island of Lesvos and all the refugees behind, we knew it in our hearts it was only a matter of time before we would return. Not necessarily to the island itself but to this crisis that is being put on the back burner of the world's news because of terrorist attacks and upcoming elections. It is hard not to be angry with governments and laws that have been established to bring peace and order to the world, but so easily pass problems off to others to take care of when the caring becomes uncomfortable. I am referring to the European Union's deal with Turkey for the refugees. Greece has been having mass deportations of refugees in the past week and a half back to Turkey. By the terms of the agreement, for every refugee returned to Turkey, the EU will relocate one Syrian refugee who is currently in Turkey somewhere within the EU. This deal then is only going to be taking care of Syrian refugees with a cap number of 72,000.

There are still refugees from Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Morocco, Algeria, and Libya. All who should have a right to apply for asylum, but in Turkey it is even illegal for those from Afghanistan and Pakistan to apply for asylum. So eventually they will be deported from Turkey back to the places that they came from. Completely unsafe places controlled by the Taliban or some other extremist organization looking for power.

 Being back home here in Hawaii and reading all of these things on the news is heartbreaking. At first we felt guilty for being in this beautiful state we call home, while refugees are amassing at borders hungry and afraid because their hopes for reaching Europe have been dismissed. Now we are determined. We have been asked to lead another outreach team back to Greece to work with and feed all of the refugees who remain homeless and on the streets in Athens. Even if the government sweeps them out of there and sends them to Turkey we will go and serve them in some capacity. Our hearts are set on not overlooking those who are overlooked. To see them and treat them and love them as we ourselves would hoped to be treated in our own hour of great need. They are equally precious in the sight of God and His heart for them has become our own.

 “He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow and loves the foreigners residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.” Deuteronomy 10:18-19

 So for now we are preparing the upcoming school that will begin April 14th as well as speaking to churches and raise awareness of the refugee crisis. Something that has been encouraging to us since we have been home is the amount of people that have reached out to us and asked us what they personally they can do to contribute to the refugees. We always answer them "Please! Go if you can. Go and take hold of what has been placed on your heart to do, which is to serve."

 We believe this is a God-given desire inside of people's hearts for justice and love for those who are currently less fortunate than ourselves. There are avenues and organizations to go through whose need is simply for more volunteers to come under them and serve with whatever they have already set up for the refugees. Normally we only take on outreach the students who have been admitted to do the Discipleship Training School, but this time we are bringing others as well. Many who have been a part of our organization in the past and feel called to go again and serve. We are very excited to be able to take people alongside with us and even the growing number of people contacting us and asking how they can go separately. We are ready to get back and cannot wait to bring another group with us this time. Keep us in your prayers for this upcoming school and pray for the refugees, they need it now more than ever.

Wrapping Up Our Time

As I sit in the Lesvos airport right now it's hard to comprehend that I'm getting on a plane. To say that serving in this tent behind me has changed my life feels like such a cliche and an understatement. When The Lord told our team to come here over 15 weeks ago we had no idea what this outreach would look like, who we would be working with or what ministry would consist of. Over the past 10 weeks we've served over 70,000 meals in this kitchen behind us. We've met thousands of people from all over the Middle East and North Africa. The stories we've listened to have broken our hearts and forever changed our perspectives. The Lord took our team, a group of people who by any other perspective were not qualified to handle the situation we were thrown into, and used us to love and feed people who are fleeing war and persecution. As I sit hear I'm overwhelmed by the goodness of God in bringing us here. As we drove to the airport another raft landed on the shore, and all I could do is pray. Pray that The Lord would send more people to work in this refugee crisis. That there would be more people willing to stand on the shoreline overnight to get people out of the sea, or more people willing to make hot soup for 8 hours a day. And ultimately that one day he would let me come back to do the same.

Profiles ( Of a refugee )

Since we've been here people have requested that we start doing stories of the people we've met. Do to some security reasons I cannot give their entire story because their safety is more important. However, I want to do my best to give people an idea of what these people have been through.

(Sarah)
This man is a friend I have made over the past couple days. His journey took 45 days by foot through below freezing temperatures. The jacket he is wearing was only given to him upon arriving here. He had to flee his country because his family was kidnapped and were going to be killed unless he left. As he travels this journey alone his hope is to find a place to bring his family to safety. He is only in his 20s but has been kidnapped and beaten for weeks by terrorists before escaping. In arriving at the refugee camp there were no tents available so he slept on the ground. He continued to say how thankful he was to be in a country that would give him a cup of water and a warm blanket. I met him on Christmas day and as I listened to his journey and many of his stories I was blown away by his courage and his kindness. These are the faces and stories that we encounter here in the refugee camp. They are filled with real people, who have families and friends. And they have a story to tell.


(Connor)
Meet my friend from Afghanistan. He is around my age and has had life experiences beyond my comprehension. Working as a nurse in his first years out of school, and then became a police officer that worked with the military doing drug busts in various provinces. Because of his many talents and qualifications, he also began to work with political parties. He is a man who loved his country and his jobs and made a decent living. Then due to two different attacks by a terrorist organization he was forced to flee his country on foot which led him on a 45 day journey to Turkey. Throughout his journey he had to be hidden in a trunk with 4 other full grown men, and walk through chest deep water during cold nights holding his bag above his head. All of this because of severe danger that he would face if he remained where he had been in his life. He is a good man who loves justice and serving others above himself. His goal is to reach any country in Europe that would have him and give him a chance at a fresh start. 

The people we are encountering out here are incredible people with stories that most of us would think are movie plot lines. Their stories are not finished yet however. From here they go on to Europe and will search for a country and a job that will have them for their shot a new life.  We hope that these stories have stirred your hearts and brought light to a situation that is predominately covered by the media. Remember to pray for the refugees, for Greece, and for all Europe to receive them. Thank you guys!