I returned to Athens on Friday and things have been pretty low key. I have had time to relax a little and to reflect on the past couple months. I have spent time with some very important people in my life and also have met many more that will become key people in my life in the next year.
As I reflect on the past months I am in aww of what God has done in my life. He has allowed me to grow up in some many ways; and has shown me how to live more independently . He is teaching me how to be a leader and how to make decisions not just on my own but with the understanding of His will in mind. This life is not for me to live how I want; but to live in the footsteps of Christ. God gives us this command and promise in Philippians 1:21 it says, "For unto me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Christ has shown us the way to live and has also given us the instruction on how to live through the Bible. The problem is that we tend to over look the importance of the word of God and think that we can go though life taking care of each issue one at a time on our own. I can honeslty say that many times I fall into this trap and allow my human nature to shine telling myself that I can do this by myself; that I do not need any help and in the end things turn out as a huge disaster. I'm not saying that with being a Christian life is a breeze; at times it is even harder because you have the attacks of Satan in full force. You have to allow God to take your life and put your hope and trust in the fact that He is the all powerful and all mighty God who can transform any situation. He is the only one who can take what is dead and bring it back to life, or to offer out perfect love that is never ending and never failing. He is the only one who died on the cross for each of us and the only one who lived a perfect life. He took the weight of the world on His shoulders because He loved us and He created a path for us that would never exist without His pain and suffering on the cross.
I can not thank Him enough for what He did the day He took His last breathe but even with that He did more. He is the only one who rose again and is the only God still alive today. He is the author and creator of this place we call home.
I hold dear to the promise of life after death; the promise I mentioned earlier in Philippians 1:21, "To die is gain". There is no greater promise than that. I know that when I leave this world I will wake up with something greater than any earthly gift. I will wake up worshipping the one true God.
I pray that the time I spend in this life I will reflect the glory of this Holy God. I pray that with my decisions and with my actions I will uphold the laws He created. I know that many times I will fail; but I pray that I will get back up and make right the wrong I have done. I also pray that each day I will put on the full armor of God and go into battle againt the evil of this day. Ephesians 6:13-17, "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one, and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication". This is the way I pray to approach life each moment of each day by being prepared for the evil that will attack no matter the cost.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
Καλαμος
I think this may be the hardest blog to write, because I can not fully express what happened in my life while I was at Καλαμος. I went with the intention of helping with the games the teenagers would be doing at the camp but God had a bigger plan for my life.
The camp is in Καλαμος up in the mountains. The best part of the camp is that you really do stay in tents. As you walk up the side of the mountain there are concrete slabs with a nice sturdy tent on each one. The area where we had worship every morning was probably one of the best views in all of Greece. As you sit and look from the top of the mountain at night all you can see is the lights from the city on the other mountain; and in between is the sea. Can you imagine this picture? At the foot of the mountains is the sea and all the beaches; it was incredible!
Now a little about the camp and the kids. There was about 100 people including the staff and I was the only one who didn't know Greek; so you can already imagine how who things went. Well this holds true for the first few days anyway. I was so lost and I had no idea what was going to happen next. I just followed along with the group. The good thing is that some of the teenagers knew how to speak English but not many of the youngers one and that is the ones I had in my tent. So after about two days at this camp I didn't think I was going to make it any longer. I was frustrated and annoyed because I could not understand a thing that was going on. One night I was at the meeting with the other leaders and I of course had no clue what was being said and I just got up and left because I could not stand to hear another word of Greek. I went to a quiet place and spent time with God. I was not happy and I started asking Him why He sent me here and why He would not let me understand the language. I questioned God on many things about my trip and my stay in Greece and pleaded for answers and some direction. I felt like I was at the end of my rope and I was just about to let go when God in all His wonder came to take my hand and lower me from my rope. He didn't set me down on the ground but instead He has been carrying me in the past couple days. He has been holding me tight and using everybody around me to open up my heart to the plan He has for me.
On Monday we took the kids to another camp where we spent the day with the people there. I soon found out that this camp was an English speaking camp and that I would be able to understand what the people were saying. You can not begin to imagine how excited I was to hear all the people speaking and being able to understand what they were saying. I was just sitting there taking it all in when God started knocking on the door to my heart. He was wanting to tell me something but I had to stop long enough to listen. I had to sit back in the mist of all the excitement that was going on around me and focus on God. I went under the main tent and opened up my Bible to Jonah. I was reading about how Jonah was called to Nineveh. God says in Jonah 1:1&2 "The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me." God had a plan for Jonah but as we all know Jonah was scared and ran from the Lord. In verse 3 the Bible tells us "But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed fro Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord."
This is very important because this is what I was ready to do. I was ready to just go home and run away from the call of God in my life. The entire summer has been fairly easy and I know now it was because I was surrounded with Americans and we spoke English. This week was very different because I truly was thrown into the Greek culture and was living among the Greek people. I was immersed in the Greek language and there was no way that everything could me translated. I was afraid just like Jonah and was ready to run as far away from Greece as he was from Nineveh. I was ready to turn my back and act like God was not speaking to me.
As I was reading the book of Jonah the leader from the camp was speaking to the kids, but I continued to read because at this point he was speaking in Greek so there was no reason for me to even pay attention. Then in English he called a young man from Seattle to come up and give a few words, and this is what he talked about.
He started by saying "What am I doing here? Why am I "wasting" my time here in Greece? Why am I not going to school and getting a great job back at home?" These are some questions that his friends keep asking him and his answer was simple. He said because this is where God has called me to be and I'm being obedient to Him. He noted the fact that God does not call everyone to a foreign country to serve; but when He does call someone He wants them to serve with all their heart and to not be afraid becuase He is your strength. God will not call you and not take care of you. The next point he made was from the book of Jonah. Now what does that tell you. I had just read to last of Jonah when he pointed out what happened to Jonah when he ran from the Lord; 1:17-2:1-10. In summary Jonah was swallowed up by a huge fish and was inside for three days and three nights.
God showed me at that point Greece is where He wants me to be and that it may not be easy all the time; but when is life always easy. When do you go through every day and not have some kind of struggle of some sort? From that moment on the people began to glow and the spirit of God was pouring into my heart. Then that night at the meeting I began to understand some of the Greek words and the language became so beautiful to me. I was longing to hear more of it when just the night before I could have screamed if I heard another word.
God will always give us the peace and comfort we need, and also the strength to pursue His calling for our life. God is beyond explaination.
He is love!
The camp is in Καλαμος up in the mountains. The best part of the camp is that you really do stay in tents. As you walk up the side of the mountain there are concrete slabs with a nice sturdy tent on each one. The area where we had worship every morning was probably one of the best views in all of Greece. As you sit and look from the top of the mountain at night all you can see is the lights from the city on the other mountain; and in between is the sea. Can you imagine this picture? At the foot of the mountains is the sea and all the beaches; it was incredible!
Now a little about the camp and the kids. There was about 100 people including the staff and I was the only one who didn't know Greek; so you can already imagine how who things went. Well this holds true for the first few days anyway. I was so lost and I had no idea what was going to happen next. I just followed along with the group. The good thing is that some of the teenagers knew how to speak English but not many of the youngers one and that is the ones I had in my tent. So after about two days at this camp I didn't think I was going to make it any longer. I was frustrated and annoyed because I could not understand a thing that was going on. One night I was at the meeting with the other leaders and I of course had no clue what was being said and I just got up and left because I could not stand to hear another word of Greek. I went to a quiet place and spent time with God. I was not happy and I started asking Him why He sent me here and why He would not let me understand the language. I questioned God on many things about my trip and my stay in Greece and pleaded for answers and some direction. I felt like I was at the end of my rope and I was just about to let go when God in all His wonder came to take my hand and lower me from my rope. He didn't set me down on the ground but instead He has been carrying me in the past couple days. He has been holding me tight and using everybody around me to open up my heart to the plan He has for me.
On Monday we took the kids to another camp where we spent the day with the people there. I soon found out that this camp was an English speaking camp and that I would be able to understand what the people were saying. You can not begin to imagine how excited I was to hear all the people speaking and being able to understand what they were saying. I was just sitting there taking it all in when God started knocking on the door to my heart. He was wanting to tell me something but I had to stop long enough to listen. I had to sit back in the mist of all the excitement that was going on around me and focus on God. I went under the main tent and opened up my Bible to Jonah. I was reading about how Jonah was called to Nineveh. God says in Jonah 1:1&2 "The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me." God had a plan for Jonah but as we all know Jonah was scared and ran from the Lord. In verse 3 the Bible tells us "But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed fro Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord."
This is very important because this is what I was ready to do. I was ready to just go home and run away from the call of God in my life. The entire summer has been fairly easy and I know now it was because I was surrounded with Americans and we spoke English. This week was very different because I truly was thrown into the Greek culture and was living among the Greek people. I was immersed in the Greek language and there was no way that everything could me translated. I was afraid just like Jonah and was ready to run as far away from Greece as he was from Nineveh. I was ready to turn my back and act like God was not speaking to me.
As I was reading the book of Jonah the leader from the camp was speaking to the kids, but I continued to read because at this point he was speaking in Greek so there was no reason for me to even pay attention. Then in English he called a young man from Seattle to come up and give a few words, and this is what he talked about.
He started by saying "What am I doing here? Why am I "wasting" my time here in Greece? Why am I not going to school and getting a great job back at home?" These are some questions that his friends keep asking him and his answer was simple. He said because this is where God has called me to be and I'm being obedient to Him. He noted the fact that God does not call everyone to a foreign country to serve; but when He does call someone He wants them to serve with all their heart and to not be afraid becuase He is your strength. God will not call you and not take care of you. The next point he made was from the book of Jonah. Now what does that tell you. I had just read to last of Jonah when he pointed out what happened to Jonah when he ran from the Lord; 1:17-2:1-10. In summary Jonah was swallowed up by a huge fish and was inside for three days and three nights.
God showed me at that point Greece is where He wants me to be and that it may not be easy all the time; but when is life always easy. When do you go through every day and not have some kind of struggle of some sort? From that moment on the people began to glow and the spirit of God was pouring into my heart. Then that night at the meeting I began to understand some of the Greek words and the language became so beautiful to me. I was longing to hear more of it when just the night before I could have screamed if I heard another word.
God will always give us the peace and comfort we need, and also the strength to pursue His calling for our life. God is beyond explaination.
He is love!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
My Family
Yesterday I received some mail from my family and it was the sweetest things I have ever read. My momma and some of the kids sent me letters; it was so encouraging to read each of them and to see the pictures the kids drew. Each of them told me how much they missed and loved me. I just want to thank God for each of them and I am so blessed to have each of them in my life.
Daddy has always been my strong hand and comforter in time of need. He is always there no matter what the situation is. He is a very loving father who always say he loves me. The best part of growing up is knowing that my dad will always be by my side and that he will never leave me. He is not afraid to come up and give me the biggest hug; and I miss that more than anything.
Momma is the one I talk to about most things. She is always there to listen when I'm ready to talk. She has never left my side no matter how far away I go. I know I can depend on her to make sure I'm doing ok. Through God's work in her life she is becoming one of my biggest supporters.
Miranda is my oldest sister and more like a second mom for me; she is always the one I go to when I need someone. I love just talking with her and hanging out because she is one of the funniest people you will ever meet. I love just having her around.
Brigette is my middle sister and she brings life to the faimly. I miss stopping by her house and visiting with her and the kids. She is a great person to talk to and she brings a smile to my face.
Rusty is my only brother and my best friend. I miss him so much and wish he was here with me. Growing up there was no way you could get me away from him; I would follow him everywhere he went and I wanted to be just like him. He played a major role in my love for sports.
Lucy is my future sister in law and I think everyone should have to meet this small town girl; because she will bring a smile to your face. In the beginning I struggled to get her to talk but now we are becoming good friends. I enjoy her presence and I miss her also.
James and Jason are my two brother in laws and they add a whole new deminision to the family. I enjoy having them around and I miss them.
I really miss each of the kids. Jacob for the love he has for me and the bond we formed when he was just a baby. Jamie for her amazing love for sports and just for who she is in general. James for the activity and excitement he always has. Mamie for her sweet and pure heart. Danielle for the times we have together. She is the oldest and I can't wait to see her play soccer for WOHS. CJ, who is more like my brother, for the great times we always have when we are together. He is always ready to go play tennis with me (CJ we need to go when I get back!!). Denver for his kind words when he has not seen me in a while. And most importantly Brintlee for being the cutiest little thing you will ever see. He is such a joy to be around.
And last but for sure not least I miss Jersey; for you who do not know she is the most amazing dog. I miss the excitement she has to see me when I get home in the afternoon and the love she always gives. She is my perfect little angel.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Prayer
I write this blog with a prayer of my own. I pray that you will read with an open heart and a willingness to join me in my prayers. I know that there are many out there who are suffering and hurting and seeking a miracle and that is exactly what I am praying for right now for three people that have come to my attention. One of which I was honored to have meet and will remember his huge smile and loving heart for the rest of my life.
He is a young man who in less than a week captured my heart and showed me what perfect love is really about. He is a young man who brightens the lives of every single person who comes in contact with him. This man is the prime example of what a growing Chirstian should look like and is someone I will stive for the rest of my life to be even half as amazing as he is. When thinking about him God brings Philippians 2:3&4 to mind. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others." I wish everyone back in the states could come and meet this young man and get a glimpse of true life. His name is Yiannis and he was in a very serious car accident and is in serious condition. He has been in the hospital for several weeks now and his condition has not changed much. I pray for a mircle in his life and that God will allow Him to continue to live his extraordinary life.
The next is a man I have never met but a family member of mine is very close to him. His name is Mike. Mike found out he has a brain tumor and is now in the beginning of many long days to come. I pray for him in his struggles; that he will remember that God is with him. I pray that Joshua 1:9 will be placed in his heart each moment of each day. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Finally the last is a little girl named Katie. She is three years old and recently has been diagnosed with hepatoblastoms which is a very rare liver cancer. It occurs in about 1 in every million children born in the U.S. I can not even begin to understand what that family is going through. I am not able to find the words to explain how my heart felt when I was reading the email telling me about this young child. I know that God will use this situation for great wonders and His glory will be maginfied but it is hard for us humans to fully understand and to capture the works of God. For this family I pray Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, an everpresent help in trouble."
Father I came to you now with little understanding of how magnificent you truly are; every time I think I have figured you out you open another door that makes me step back and long to see who you really are. I may not always understand what you are doing and why things happen the way they do but that is not for me to know. The bible says "Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and consumes his foe on every side. His lightening lights up the world, the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth." ~Psalms 97:2-5 Father, this is beautiful for me to hear because someone with this kind of power is someone to be feared; someone who can do more than my mind can fathom. I know that with each situation you are the ruler of all and you are more than capable of performing whatever miracle you see fit. I pray that you will be done today and all the days to come and I also pray for each individual I have wrote about.
First for Yiannis; Father I pray most of all for his comfort. I pray that he is not in pain and that even while in a coma his spirit will remember you. You are huge in his life and the center piece of who he is. Thank you for the tremendous blessing it was for me to have meet him before the accident. He has and will continue to be a person well respected by me and many others. I also pray for his family and friends who need you God. The need to feel your loving arms around them and to remember that in all that happens you will never leave their side. Finally I pray for the medical staff who is taking the upmost care for him. I know many of them are praying for him everyday. I pray they continue and not lose hope.
Next, Father I pray for Mike. I pray once again for him to lean on you for his strength and to seek your face in every struggle and joy in his life. I also pray for the medical staff responsible for taking care of Mike. I pray for their hearts that they may know you Father.
Finally, I pray for Katie. This is a hard one because she is so young and I'm sure so precious. I pray that you ease her pain and that she will not be scared. I pray that her family will remember you and know to bring all their frustration and questions to you.
Father thank you for who you are and the love and compassion you give to me each day. I pray that I will follow you wherever you take me.
In your precious and Holy name I pray.
Amen
He is a young man who in less than a week captured my heart and showed me what perfect love is really about. He is a young man who brightens the lives of every single person who comes in contact with him. This man is the prime example of what a growing Chirstian should look like and is someone I will stive for the rest of my life to be even half as amazing as he is. When thinking about him God brings Philippians 2:3&4 to mind. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others." I wish everyone back in the states could come and meet this young man and get a glimpse of true life. His name is Yiannis and he was in a very serious car accident and is in serious condition. He has been in the hospital for several weeks now and his condition has not changed much. I pray for a mircle in his life and that God will allow Him to continue to live his extraordinary life.
The next is a man I have never met but a family member of mine is very close to him. His name is Mike. Mike found out he has a brain tumor and is now in the beginning of many long days to come. I pray for him in his struggles; that he will remember that God is with him. I pray that Joshua 1:9 will be placed in his heart each moment of each day. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Finally the last is a little girl named Katie. She is three years old and recently has been diagnosed with hepatoblastoms which is a very rare liver cancer. It occurs in about 1 in every million children born in the U.S. I can not even begin to understand what that family is going through. I am not able to find the words to explain how my heart felt when I was reading the email telling me about this young child. I know that God will use this situation for great wonders and His glory will be maginfied but it is hard for us humans to fully understand and to capture the works of God. For this family I pray Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, an everpresent help in trouble."
Father I came to you now with little understanding of how magnificent you truly are; every time I think I have figured you out you open another door that makes me step back and long to see who you really are. I may not always understand what you are doing and why things happen the way they do but that is not for me to know. The bible says "Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and consumes his foe on every side. His lightening lights up the world, the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth." ~Psalms 97:2-5 Father, this is beautiful for me to hear because someone with this kind of power is someone to be feared; someone who can do more than my mind can fathom. I know that with each situation you are the ruler of all and you are more than capable of performing whatever miracle you see fit. I pray that you will be done today and all the days to come and I also pray for each individual I have wrote about.
First for Yiannis; Father I pray most of all for his comfort. I pray that he is not in pain and that even while in a coma his spirit will remember you. You are huge in his life and the center piece of who he is. Thank you for the tremendous blessing it was for me to have meet him before the accident. He has and will continue to be a person well respected by me and many others. I also pray for his family and friends who need you God. The need to feel your loving arms around them and to remember that in all that happens you will never leave their side. Finally I pray for the medical staff who is taking the upmost care for him. I know many of them are praying for him everyday. I pray they continue and not lose hope.
Next, Father I pray for Mike. I pray once again for him to lean on you for his strength and to seek your face in every struggle and joy in his life. I also pray for the medical staff responsible for taking care of Mike. I pray for their hearts that they may know you Father.
Finally, I pray for Katie. This is a hard one because she is so young and I'm sure so precious. I pray that you ease her pain and that she will not be scared. I pray that her family will remember you and know to bring all their frustration and questions to you.
Father thank you for who you are and the love and compassion you give to me each day. I pray that I will follow you wherever you take me.
In your precious and Holy name I pray.
Amen
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Stamp Greece and World Changers
I arrived back in Greece on Friday night and was greeted on Saturday with a group from Chicago called Stamp Greece. They have been a great group to work with; all have a heart for God and a love for missions. On Saturday night we went to the square and a group put on a concert for the community along with some puppets. I had a great time watching the team interact with the community; kids and adults.
Also at the concert I met a couple from Monroe, LA who go to First West. (For those of you who do not know, that is my home church). God allowed me to met these people and to have amazing fellowship with them. He sent them all the way to Athens, Greece and placed them in my path for a reason. It was a huge encouragement to met them and to talk about people we both know. We talked about Bro. Avant, Whit and Michelle Bass, Woods Watson, and Coach Weatherbie. It warmed my heart to hear the names of each of them because they all mean so much to me; and all had a huge role in getting me to Greece. I love how God has no boundries and will always give you more than you can ever imagine.
This morning another group, World Changers, came from various states in America and will be working on the community center. I was honored to show them the way to the community center and also to tell them a bit about the vision for the area. I am very excited to work with this group and to see the difference they will make at the center. God is going to do some great things this week and I'm ready to be a part of it.
Finally I want to leave you with a verse I read today that gave me joy and comfort.
But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. ~Jude 20 and 21
Also at the concert I met a couple from Monroe, LA who go to First West. (For those of you who do not know, that is my home church). God allowed me to met these people and to have amazing fellowship with them. He sent them all the way to Athens, Greece and placed them in my path for a reason. It was a huge encouragement to met them and to talk about people we both know. We talked about Bro. Avant, Whit and Michelle Bass, Woods Watson, and Coach Weatherbie. It warmed my heart to hear the names of each of them because they all mean so much to me; and all had a huge role in getting me to Greece. I love how God has no boundries and will always give you more than you can ever imagine.
This morning another group, World Changers, came from various states in America and will be working on the community center. I was honored to show them the way to the community center and also to tell them a bit about the vision for the area. I am very excited to work with this group and to see the difference they will make at the center. God is going to do some great things this week and I'm ready to be a part of it.
Finally I want to leave you with a verse I read today that gave me joy and comfort.
But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. ~Jude 20 and 21
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Drama
My next adventure in Greece was a small town called Drama. I will have to admit dispite the great people we met and the amazing love each one showed for our group; it was the hardest week I've had since I have been here.
I have a hard time understanding why it was hard for me considering we went to some great places and God worked in a mighty way. The first day in Drama was on a Saturday and we had the whole day off to do whatever we wanted. So with that in mind we went to Philippi to see the ancient ruins and also to the beach.
I have a hard time understanding why it was hard for me considering we went to some great places and God worked in a mighty way. The first day in Drama was on a Saturday and we had the whole day off to do whatever we wanted. So with that in mind we went to Philippi to see the ancient ruins and also to the beach.
Philippi made me a very happy woman due to the fact that Philippians is my favorite book in the Bible; God works in so many ways when you can actually see where things from the Bible took place. I was able to see the church that Paul started in Philippi; the area is mentioned in Acts 16:12. I sat at the place where Lydia was baptized (Acts 16:11-15) and had a prayer with my feet in the ice cold water that still flows today. We took pictures in front of the prison where Paul and Silas were jailed (Acts 16:16-40).
As you walk through the streets of what use to be an ancient city your mind begins to wonder. You think back to all the verses you have read and all the sermons that have come from each one; but when you are standing in the same area Paul was standing when He preached to the Philippians the verses and words no longer seem to be so long ago and so ancient. They become alive. You now see a glimpse of what they saw; and how they lived.
After leaving Philippi we went over to Kavalla, which is a modern port city, there we enjoyed once again the beauty of Greece and all it has to offer. At Kavalla we went to a beach that was more beautiful that words can ever begin to explain.
After leaving Philippi we went over to Kavalla, which is a modern port city, there we enjoyed once again the beauty of Greece and all it has to offer. At Kavalla we went to a beach that was more beautiful that words can ever begin to explain.
Finally we returned to Drama with a week of work ahead of us. In Drama we had programs at night for the kids in the area which included a Bible lesson, games, crafts, and singing. The first night we even had about 7 or 8 teenagers who we sat and had question and answer dicussion with. God allowed His spirit to move in the hearts of the teenagers as we sat with them for about 2 hours. They opened up to us and asked some really hard questions that under our own power and wisdom we would have never been able to answer; but God being all mighty and all powerful spoke through us to answer each question with true honesty. I pray for each of these teenagers; each with their own struggles and hardships. I pray God will continue to work in their lives. One girl stated to her friend later that she already knew what we were saying about Jesus and she still does not believe and then another had questions about how to become a Christian. So this is let you know the distance between the group but also the friendship they hold with one another. I pray that God will use this to draw them closer to each other and also to Him.
Later in the week we joined with a group from Kavalla to do open air evanglism at the park in Drama. The first program was with the children; then the later program was for the teenagers and adults. The program included puppets and a Bible lesson for the children and then a presentation of the Gospel through a drawing for the adults. God was moving in both programs. For the children about 40 kids attended and about 30 Jesus Films were passed out. For the adults many people heard the Gospel and some New Testaments were passed out. The pastor of the chruch in Drama was allowed to speak with a man about all of the New Testament and He also had some questions about Salvation. I ask that you pray for this man for he is searching for who God is and is also homeless.
Each day we had the morning off and had some great fellowship with one another. Sharon, Thomas, and I were blessed with not only meeting each other but we also met some amazing people in Drama. Each person there showed us great love and opened their homes to us. I will never forget the people and most of all the Pastor and his family.
Even with all that God was doing in my life and the lives of the people around me; Satan was still attacking me. So many times in the week I allowed Satan to get the best of me. I allowed him to take some of my peace away and also some of my patience away. He took me down and was holding me there so that I could not get up. He made my body tired and would not allow me to rest. I then relized on Tuesday when the Pastor was preaching that I had forgotten to put on the Armor of God each day (Ephesians 6:10-20); and with this Satan had free aim for anything in my life that he could use to bring me down.
I ask for prayer in many areas; pray for strength to continue each day, wisdom to speak the word of God, courage to be bold, the understanding of faith and where it may lead me, and also love and comfort to know that I'm not alone.
Monday, July 7, 2008
The City of Thessaloniki
One afternoon when we had some free time we ventured to the city of Thessaloniki. Sharon, Thomas, and I took the well known bus to the train station where we were met by our new Greek friends. I was so excited to see the city but even more excited to have the Greeks join us. It is not every day you are accompanied by the locals in a foreign country.
It was so amazing to see the passion and joy the guys had about showing us around their city; and the fact that they were open to whatever we wanted to do no matter how many times we wanted to do it.
From the moment we stepped off the bus my heart was overwhelmed with the presence of the city. I for one am not use to the city life; but this was different it was a Greek city. The atmosphere was low key and the sidewalks were flowing with people. As you enter the center of the city you are welcomed with the beauty of the water and many ancient wonders.
I can truly say that with each step I took the city became more alive to me. It was not just people roaming around and words unspoken but it was full of laughter and happiness. The smell of the food rolled from the cafes making your mouth water with each one we past. The slashing of the water on the cement wall along with the roar of chants filling the streets was consuming. My whole being was taken by the city.
I was thinking we would just go into the city have some food and hangout for a bit and then head back to the camp but who am I to plan my path each day. God had so much more in store for me. As we walked along to water boats were coming in, so of course we asked the guys if we could take a ride. As the boat left the city rocking back and forth through the water my heart came to rest. I sat there looking back into the lights that define each street in the city, the lights that bring beauty and character to each store. God at that moment gave me a glimpse of who He is and the wonders He creates. Each person, each store, each street, and each inch of the city was created to bless and honor Him.
The next moment was even more life changing for me. As I entered back into the city after the boat ride it was no longer just empty streets but it was new territory waiting to be explored. I was ready to walk down each one to see what there was to offer. I was ready to enter each café to experience the taste of the mouth watering food. I was ready to sit in the square to understand the ways of the people. I was ready to talk with the kids to hear what they had to say. My heart fell in love with the city and the people.
I had more fun than I could ever have imagined and God restored my soul as the guys allowed us to drag them from one place to the next. So I just want to take a moment to thank both Harrys and Dimitri for giving us their time. They are both amazing men and I will miss them both.
It was so amazing to see the passion and joy the guys had about showing us around their city; and the fact that they were open to whatever we wanted to do no matter how many times we wanted to do it.
From the moment we stepped off the bus my heart was overwhelmed with the presence of the city. I for one am not use to the city life; but this was different it was a Greek city. The atmosphere was low key and the sidewalks were flowing with people. As you enter the center of the city you are welcomed with the beauty of the water and many ancient wonders.
I can truly say that with each step I took the city became more alive to me. It was not just people roaming around and words unspoken but it was full of laughter and happiness. The smell of the food rolled from the cafes making your mouth water with each one we past. The slashing of the water on the cement wall along with the roar of chants filling the streets was consuming. My whole being was taken by the city.
I was thinking we would just go into the city have some food and hangout for a bit and then head back to the camp but who am I to plan my path each day. God had so much more in store for me. As we walked along to water boats were coming in, so of course we asked the guys if we could take a ride. As the boat left the city rocking back and forth through the water my heart came to rest. I sat there looking back into the lights that define each street in the city, the lights that bring beauty and character to each store. God at that moment gave me a glimpse of who He is and the wonders He creates. Each person, each store, each street, and each inch of the city was created to bless and honor Him.
The next moment was even more life changing for me. As I entered back into the city after the boat ride it was no longer just empty streets but it was new territory waiting to be explored. I was ready to walk down each one to see what there was to offer. I was ready to enter each café to experience the taste of the mouth watering food. I was ready to sit in the square to understand the ways of the people. I was ready to talk with the kids to hear what they had to say. My heart fell in love with the city and the people.
I had more fun than I could ever have imagined and God restored my soul as the guys allowed us to drag them from one place to the next. So I just want to take a moment to thank both Harrys and Dimitri for giving us their time. They are both amazing men and I will miss them both.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Love
What does love look like to us? Does it appear to come easy or do we have to work at it? Does love consists of the enabling of our whole being or do we love half heartedly? Do we give ourselves up fully to others and count them as higher than ourselves? Do we love those who we may not know or do we love those who do us wrong?
I think that if I was to answer these questions with complete honesty the end result would be sad. I do not always love people with the perfect love of Christ. I feel like for the most part I fall short of this for the mere fact that I’m not sure what His perfect love looks like, and if I do not have this perfect love already in my heart how do I expect to give it away to anyone? Also I feel that sometimes I’m just not open to loving others the way Christ calls me too. I think Christ is longing to show me the beauty of who people really are but I have to allow Him to work in my life. I will never be able to see the inter beauty of people through my own eyes; I have to see them through the eyes of Jesus.
The beauty of this dilemma is that Christ tells us what His perfect love looks like. He tells us in 1 Corinthians 13.
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbol. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient and kind, love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues; they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but than face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
God is teaching me day by day how to love all those who cross my path. It does not matter how I truly feel about them because God created them perfect in His glory. He created each individual with an overwhelming beauty. We may not see what Christ sees but He calls us to search for the inner beauty that each person holds. We may not understand the things people do or the logic behind their actions but Christ will use each situation for His glory.
I pray that Christ will take my heart and transform it; that it may abound with unfailing, unyielding love. This is a love that by no means will I ever be able to attain; it is a love that Christ will have to pour into my life each moment of each day.
I think that if I was to answer these questions with complete honesty the end result would be sad. I do not always love people with the perfect love of Christ. I feel like for the most part I fall short of this for the mere fact that I’m not sure what His perfect love looks like, and if I do not have this perfect love already in my heart how do I expect to give it away to anyone? Also I feel that sometimes I’m just not open to loving others the way Christ calls me too. I think Christ is longing to show me the beauty of who people really are but I have to allow Him to work in my life. I will never be able to see the inter beauty of people through my own eyes; I have to see them through the eyes of Jesus.
The beauty of this dilemma is that Christ tells us what His perfect love looks like. He tells us in 1 Corinthians 13.
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbol. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient and kind, love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues; they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but than face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
God is teaching me day by day how to love all those who cross my path. It does not matter how I truly feel about them because God created them perfect in His glory. He created each individual with an overwhelming beauty. We may not see what Christ sees but He calls us to search for the inner beauty that each person holds. We may not understand the things people do or the logic behind their actions but Christ will use each situation for His glory.
I pray that Christ will take my heart and transform it; that it may abound with unfailing, unyielding love. This is a love that by no means will I ever be able to attain; it is a love that Christ will have to pour into my life each moment of each day.
Open Eyes
1 Corinthians 12: 4-7
So many things have happened in my life since I have last wrote you. I am now in Thessaloniki and have been here since Tuesday. I would have updated you earlier but we are at a camp up in the mountains with no wireless connection.
As I left Athens I was not sure about my time here. I was worried due to the fact that the first of the two camps I will be working here is a drama and arts camp. Anyone who knows me can tell you that is not my area of knowledge. I came with the idea that I would have to just some how make it through the first one so I could get to the second one; which is a sports camp.
As I was going through my week leading up to traveling to Thessaloniki God opened my heart. He showed me that He is ready to use me in all areas. He does not want me to be so narrow minded. He would like for me to open up to new ideas and new types of people. This was and still is hard for me to grasp and to understand knowing that He wants to use me in an area that I really know nothing about; but the beauty is God knows about all things. He is ready to teach me. He is ready to open my eyes and heart to something more than just sports. Can you believe that; there is something more than sports? I am breaking into a realm of life I never imagined stepping foot in. God is bigger than the world of sports and He can join people’s hearts in more creative ways.
I have learned by putting myself in a box I have also put Jesus in a box. I see now that God can and will use me in every aspect of my life only if I allow Him too. I need to learn more attributes that God holds dear to His heart.
Before I even left the states God began to show me what true patients is really about. He was showing me how to be patient more than with just people but also with my spiritual life. Now I feel that God is ready to show me more than that. He is teaching me how to have true passion for Him. I am right on the edge of this idea and do not completely know what it will look like or how I will even go about it. I just know that God is ready to do more with me than I could ever imagine. He is ready to show me a glimpse of His light; a part of His light that I have never seen before. He has been wanting my to see it for a long time now but I have closed myself off to the idea of it.
I realized this morning when we were getting ready for breakfast just how far away from home I really was. I was just sitting on the steps listening to the kids talk and I had no idea what they were saying or what they were talking about. For a brief moment I felt alone and homesick. I felt like God had brought me to a place were I would not be able to minister. Then God took my heart and allowed me to see that He was there for me and that He has me here for a reason. I may not know this reason but in His time He will begin to reveal it to me. All I know is that God is ready and I am overwhelmed with all He has for me.
God allowed me to see His love and compassion today. I was playing soccer with the boys today and I made my first goal. I was so excited; but then later in the game I made my second goal and all the boys were yelling that is two. It gave me such joy, but what was more exciting and more heartbreaking was after my second goal one of the little boys, Alex, ran up and gave me a big hug. I can not even begin to explain how it made me feel. I just love the Lord.
I want to thank everyone who is out there praying for me and supporting me in my ministry here in Greece. God has blessed me in so many ways and I want you to know that He is blessing you each time He blesses me. Each day with each heart touched and each life changed you are being blessed. Thank you.
So many things have happened in my life since I have last wrote you. I am now in Thessaloniki and have been here since Tuesday. I would have updated you earlier but we are at a camp up in the mountains with no wireless connection.
As I left Athens I was not sure about my time here. I was worried due to the fact that the first of the two camps I will be working here is a drama and arts camp. Anyone who knows me can tell you that is not my area of knowledge. I came with the idea that I would have to just some how make it through the first one so I could get to the second one; which is a sports camp.
As I was going through my week leading up to traveling to Thessaloniki God opened my heart. He showed me that He is ready to use me in all areas. He does not want me to be so narrow minded. He would like for me to open up to new ideas and new types of people. This was and still is hard for me to grasp and to understand knowing that He wants to use me in an area that I really know nothing about; but the beauty is God knows about all things. He is ready to teach me. He is ready to open my eyes and heart to something more than just sports. Can you believe that; there is something more than sports? I am breaking into a realm of life I never imagined stepping foot in. God is bigger than the world of sports and He can join people’s hearts in more creative ways.
I have learned by putting myself in a box I have also put Jesus in a box. I see now that God can and will use me in every aspect of my life only if I allow Him too. I need to learn more attributes that God holds dear to His heart.
Before I even left the states God began to show me what true patients is really about. He was showing me how to be patient more than with just people but also with my spiritual life. Now I feel that God is ready to show me more than that. He is teaching me how to have true passion for Him. I am right on the edge of this idea and do not completely know what it will look like or how I will even go about it. I just know that God is ready to do more with me than I could ever imagine. He is ready to show me a glimpse of His light; a part of His light that I have never seen before. He has been wanting my to see it for a long time now but I have closed myself off to the idea of it.
I realized this morning when we were getting ready for breakfast just how far away from home I really was. I was just sitting on the steps listening to the kids talk and I had no idea what they were saying or what they were talking about. For a brief moment I felt alone and homesick. I felt like God had brought me to a place were I would not be able to minister. Then God took my heart and allowed me to see that He was there for me and that He has me here for a reason. I may not know this reason but in His time He will begin to reveal it to me. All I know is that God is ready and I am overwhelmed with all He has for me.
God allowed me to see His love and compassion today. I was playing soccer with the boys today and I made my first goal. I was so excited; but then later in the game I made my second goal and all the boys were yelling that is two. It gave me such joy, but what was more exciting and more heartbreaking was after my second goal one of the little boys, Alex, ran up and gave me a big hug. I can not even begin to explain how it made me feel. I just love the Lord.
I want to thank everyone who is out there praying for me and supporting me in my ministry here in Greece. God has blessed me in so many ways and I want you to know that He is blessing you each time He blesses me. Each day with each heart touched and each life changed you are being blessed. Thank you.
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