WMUNC Panelists

We arrived save and without trouble at the airport. After a short introduction of the tripleaders in the bus we arrived at the hotel in town and set off for dinner in the historical part of town, right next to the Acropolis. The food was good and plenty. There we met a second group of Praying Pelicans during dinner that will leave tomorrow to Tripoli.

This part of Athens is built on the slopes of the Acropolis. Santorini style. We had dinner on the rooftop overlooking the town of Athens. A good start and great taste of the town of Athens

On the way back to the hotel Jess showed us the local best gelato and loukoumades place. Tomorrow we will be picked up by the same bus driver and go to our first ministry. But first we need some rest after a long day of traveling.

We met Henneke, who does trauma care for refugees in various camps. She parks her van close to the camp and people come. This time mostly from Sudan. They all love her and she communicates with them in their own language: Arabic. And brings the gospel to them.

We shared in connecting with people , playing with the kids and talking with the men.

It was eye opening to experience and encourage her and her team. Several women came and also some men. The women were sitting under a tent and talked.

We talked with Henneke after the time and she was encouraged. We enjoyed the time together. Greece needs many more workers. Not only to work with refugees.

This is a part of the old town where they always have a theme. The whole street is full of lights. Beautiful.

We finished our second day with ice cream from Kostas.

On our day trip to Corinth we passed this handmade canal that is 4 miles long and connects the Corinthian Gulf with the Sardonic Gulf. A masterpiece from 1891. In the time of Paul they brought cargo from one side to the other and they even dragged boats. It made Corinth a wealthy town.

After the canal we climbed the fortress of Acrocorinth. Here were the ancient tempels in the time of Paul.

We climbed almost to the top and on this tower we prayed for Greece.

After he fortress we had lunch and we went into the old town where Paul walked.

This pillar is the place where Paul stood trial before Gallio. The platform is the judgement seat. In the background we can see the fortress of the Acrocorinth, built by the Venetians in the middle-ages.

The ancient port where Paul set sail for Syria. We enjoyed the swimming here very much.

We finished this day with great Greek food. Jess ordered multiple different dishes and we shared Greek style.

We were encouraged in the church of our partners. The preacher had a great message and the worship was inspiring.

We couldn't have enough of worship and went back after everybody left.

After we had lunch we made our way up to the Acropolis. It was truly wonderful.

We enjoyed again sharing Greek food, and this time from a rooftop looking at the Acropolis.

The food was great.

Close to the top there was this part of Scripture to remind us that the Apostle Paul was here.

At Mars Hill we read from Acts and prayed. It was a special moment.

With many others we enjoyed the sunset over Athens.

As the National Guard was coming down Acropolis we took our last pictures. It was another great day.

We are ready for our day of serving at the Good Samaritan! Looking forward to seeing how we can help with the ministry.

In the ministry center we received instructions from Caroline from Kenya and Rebecca from Ecuador who organised the week. Also Ghazal from Iran and Zarmen were in the team.

We did dances with the kids and crafts. And they all were jumping and dancing and clapping.

After the children’s Bible school, we had a fast lunch on the way and came to Threads of Hope, a ministry that offers job training to ex prostitutes. Also trauma care and a safe place, and therapy and a salary. Many of them are trafficked. They need to learn what their identity in Christ is. Mercy from the UK and Eva-Lena from Sweden introduced us, together with Stefanos from Greece. Empowering them to take control over their own life is the goal.

With Threads of Hope they intend to make quality things that people want to buy not only for sympathy but for the use of the items. Many of these women think nothing of themselves and this values them.

Even after Threads of Hope we took a minute to visit Rainlab. Another professional brand that sells clothes made by women from various cultures that are offered an opportunity to get out of poverty

In Athens the spice market is an area with many spice shops. Next is the meat market and the fish market. The only thing left on the program for today will be dinner.

We had the debrief at the restaurant. How to do the ministry tomorrow and how we saw what happened the last days. The end of another amazing day.

We did many different things. Like making kites

About 30 to 40 kids mostly from Africa and also Arab speaking today.

We talked about the heart and had a good time.

Making caps and playing games.

Dimitris tells us how bad the situation is in Greece with prostitution and shares personal stories of people that came out. The central thing is again 2nd Corinthians 5:17. Who is in Christ, is a new creation. The theme we also used in the two days was the Good Samaritan.

Only Christ can save and make things new.

There are so many brothels in this area. We prayed for this area. We could feel darkness and our conclusion is that prayer is powerful.

The team received big compliments from the Good Samaritan. They really did a great job!! We left Athens and went to Thessaloniki early in the morning.

When we arrived in Thessaloniki, we immediately hopped on a bus to Mount Olympus and went to see a waterfall.

There were several waterfalls where people went swimming and diving. The water was really refreshing.

After the waterfalls we enjoyed this place where they served local dishes. The food is really good here in Greece.

On the way back to the bus we passed this Orthodox church where we looked at the saints and all the beauty. Now it's time to go back to Thessaloniki to check in at our new hotel before we will explore the town a bit.

In Thessaloniki are some remains of the Roman empire. Thessaloniki was the second major city on the Via Egnatia that was made by the Romans and led from Rome to Konstantinoupoli, today Istanbul.

No words

The apostle Paul set sail to Macedonia, after he received a dream in which a Macedonian man asked for help.

The famous white tower of Thessaloniki.

Thessaloniki’s old marketplace from the Roman times, where the story of Acts took place.

It started with a joint sharing of coffee and a snack for refugees, but it grew. It opens twice a week and last Tuesday there came 250 refugees. As in Greece not much money is around. It is based on trusting God. People support vegetables, fruit and bread and meals. Missionaries come and help them from America, Czech Republic, South Korea, Brazil, Syria, and today’s team from Finland and we joined. Our partner Kostas (behind the table) explained how we could help.

Some helped in the kitchen, cleaning up, preparing meals, sorting clothes, childrens room, and around 12 the refugees started to come.

The refugees not only received a package, they also received a meal. On top of that we played bingo with them. They all had a great time and Dimitris said he had never seen them so happy.

Refugee care Center Agape.

Together with some faithful workers, the Finnish team and us.

This is a special moment. We went to the home of Michalis and Dora. Also their daughter Dafny and mother helped. We made Greek salad, tzatziki, potato salad and pastitio. It was great fun.

Dora explained how to make this desert.

First without music.

1-2-3, kick and kick

The food was amazing and after dinner Michalis gave us a quiz and he told a lot about Greece and we asked him many questions. It was a great evening.

Today we went to the ancient city of Philippi. We tested the theatre if you could actually hear us talk if you were seated on the highest row. And we sang a song. It worked!

Only together we can know the height, width and debt of Gods love. We need eachother.

Where Paul and Silas were kept prisoner we listened we listened to the Bible story and how Paul encouraged them to not be afraid while sharing the gospel. God used it for His glory. And He is in control, even if we don't see it. Always.

Here we talked a bit about the importance of baptism.

After the baptism site we went to Kavala. This is the ancient Neapoli where Paul entered Europe. There is a monument for Paul.

In Kavala is still the old aquaduct. If we have received God’s Spirit and we allow Him to take the lead, streams of living water will start flowing.

Ask and you’ll receive.

In the background is the fortress of Kavala. Our God is a mighty God. And all things are possible for those who believe.

Why a Pelican? A pelican will scrape her own blood and pluck her own flesh to feed the little ones if there is no food. Sacrificial love.

Please pray for Greece.

With God all things are possible! When we were too late to catch the flight, He opened a way to make it. All praise be to Him!

It was a pleasure serving together. It was a blessing for Greece and may it be an everlasting blessing for all who participated.

God bless you all!

Jess and Jonathan