Blue Student Ministry

Today, part of our team is serving with the Christian Refugee Relief organization, started by believers from the Netherlands who recognized the need for donations for the refugees and the homeless. They give donations to over 20 organizations around Athens. 

Be sure to also follow along on our PPMGreece Instagram page for even more updates and videos! 

We loved getting to work here and pray over Heidi and Daniella and pray over the boxes that were being sent out to another one of our partners, Helenic Ministries 

We got to visit one of our favorite partners, Rain Lab! Rain Lab is a part of Hellenic Ministries and not only do they teach sewing skills to Refugee women, they shared the Gospel and then sell the clothes. We love them dearly and are blessed by them! Check them out on Instagram! 

Since the refugee center was a restaurant before and was recently acquired, we helped with moving shelves, putting shelves together and cleaning. 

Today we visited New Start,  a ministry that works to help Prostitutes. Not only do they visit Brothels to talk to the Madams and the girls, they also provide a place for hot meals, medical and mental services, but most importantly the provide the Hope of Christ. We had the privilege to learn about what happens, and how the girls end up in Prostitution. We also had the beautiful privilege of prayer walking around the area. It was powerful, and we were reminded that not only is there a physical battle happening, but also a spiritual battle. Being able to go and prayerfully fight for them was powerful. A lot of people can look or hear about these girls and think its by choice, but for most, they are desperate for a job or a better life, and some are trafficked. One of our students,  Sam, said, It's not our place to judge people, It's our place to love them. 

Please pray for New Start as they serve a group of people who so desperately need the hope and love of Jesus. We prayed this verse as we walked, and prayed Psalm 10:17 - Lord you hear know the hopes of the helpless, surely you will hear their cries and comfort them. 

Tonight, we went to Mars Hill and read out of Acts 17 where Paul preached about the Unknown God. We also had some quiet time to pray and reflect as we watched the sun set over Athens

We traveled to Crete where we began serving alongside Anastasi Church. We were able to help set up for church and enjoy cooking with the Yia Yias, several Greek grandmas. The food we made will be part of a luncheon after church. 

Our first meal in Crete!

We had a blast sharing the food we cooked with the church. It felt like a big family gathering!

Today, we are meeting up with Pastor Ilias, Nellie (their kids Pavos and Anatolia) and some church members, to go to southern Crete and hike some of the Samaria Gorge. We are not far from where the Apostle Paul sheltered. Titus was also instrumental in sharing the Gospel on Crete. 

Taking in the beauty of the Agean Sea

This morning we got to hear pastor Ilias share his incredible testimony, and we also spent time sharing ours. How beautiful is it that we can come together and share who God is to us, how personal He is to each of us. God knows us, sees us, loves us in such unique ways. 

Today we put on a kids VBS for kids in the neighborhood and church. We played lots of fun games and talked about Jonah. 

We worshipped on the beach and took time to express who God is to each of us. 

This morning, we focused on the power of prayer and went out into the community (with church members) and prayed for Chania. We prayed for:

1. addiction to be broken

2. Families (divorce is rampant and broken homes)

3. The refugee and the tourist

4. Religion and traditions (there are many strongholds with these things that hold people back from the freedom and relationship of Jesus)

Our memory verse today is 

John 16:33 NLT

[33] I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Laughter is good for the soul!

The church took us to Kou Kou vaya for dessert and more fellowship 

Nellie and Pastor Ilias shared what an encouragement the team was. This week reminded us so much about the letters of paul, of how we are called to not only share the Gospel, but to be an encouragement to other believers. Pastor Ilias and Nellie (and their kids Anatolia and Pavlos) are fighting the good fight each day in a place that doesn't know or want Jesus. They are such faithful followers of Christ, and we feel so blessed to have spent the last few days with them. This week's kids camp has been a years long prayer and how cool is it that God called us? Please keep Anamnasi Church in prayers. 

Saying see ya later to our new friends!

Our team from Texas gifted the church with a genuine Texas flag to remember our time together.

On the way to Ancient Corinth, we stopped at the Corinth Canal. This impressive site improved shipping in this area. Before the canal was built, ships either went around the Pellopanise area of Greece which was a dangerous long journey or the ships were drug across on boards on the Diolkos Road. 

Praying over Greece from the top of Acrocorinth was incredible! 

We spent our final debrief in front of the Library, sharing about what God has done. We did 11 different ministries from refugee work, to homeless, prayer, kids, church, outreach to locals and tourists and even ministry in the hostel we stayed in. People who have never heard the gospel heard it. People who needed prayer received it. Kids who needed a little love got it, and the local church was encouraged. Our hearts are so full and Greece has impacted us. This is a place that needs the hope of Jesus, but its also a place where the church is working tirelessly. We are so grateful to have been a part of what God is doing here!