Spiritual Victory

How appropriate that 2 Corinthians is the book that has given me so much hope at the start of this crazy week. (Being in Greece and all...corinth is in Greece for those who don't know, like I didn't before this summer... :)

Sunday: We are rotating churches. Each week the group that you are assigned to will attend a different church. There are four, two evangelical churches, a Greek Orthodox church and an international church. I went to the First Evangelical Church of Athens. The service and worship was supposed to be all in modern Greek so we got these headphones with an interpreter...they didn't work very well. So, I didn't use them, I just listened to the language and the songs sung in Greek, a very beautiful language. The speaker was actually a visiting pastor from Africa who spoke in English! He spoke on church unity and on the divine appointment of pastors to equip the saints, us, for good works. It did seem appropriate as Monday was our first day on campus as well as the first of two "Love Meals" we would be serving Albanian, North African, and Arabian refugees. Jason asked if I would prepare something to say and a Gospel presentation that I would give to all 200 or so refugees that would be translated into their language. A daunting proposition by itself, but the devil would have none of it... The four hours after being told that I was supposed to share the Gospel with the men we would be serving were filled with the most intense spiritual warfare I had faced so far. I wrote furiously in my journal, walked around in the area we were staying and prayed in tongues for hours. Finally, I settled down enough to listen, just listen to what God was saying. "I am with your mouth, I will give you words to say that will touch their hearts. You are loved by Me" The peace of God washed over me, and not only was I not afraid to speak, but I laughed at any more attempts of the devil to discourage me. "You have prepared well" and then I was asleep. Easily the best night of sleep I have had so far.

Monday: This was the first day that we were on campus talking to students and hanging out with them. The nerves started a little in the morning, but after last night... the devil was beaten! The day started with some Greek lessons. Learning the alphabet and some basic phrases about how to order and ask about the bathroom...all information that promptly left my brain once we entered the cafe on campus hehe...

Our day on campus was phenomenal. God totally directed our conversations and pointed us to people to talk to. It was kinda strange because we had an intern with us, we split into two groups of two, Keegan and Allison (the intern), and Cari and me. Before we split up we met with a girl (Lena) and a guy that I don't remember, mostly because he didn't talk much. But Lena said that she didn't believe in God or Heaven and cut us off after that because she had class. All of the students we talk to are civil engineering majors or graduate students so they are having class and getting ready for finals. They left quickly. We then met a large group of men and one woman who were PhD level engineers who told us a lot about Greece and the current situation. While that conversation didn't get very deep, we got their information to be able to meet with them again and hopefully talk about more spiritual things. After that meeting Allison and Keegan went to a different cafe and Cari and I walked outside to see Lena and a girlfriend walking out of class. This conversation was incredible! The other girl who has a very interesting name that I can never remember drove our conversation very deep into the spiritual realm and nearly quoted psalm 139! "There must be something bigger than us, something that created us and knows all about us and what we are thinking and doing." It was a perfect door that Cari took advantage of and shared more about the Gospel and the importance of a relationship with the Creator! We then hungout with a group of first year students for almost an hour, just talking and having a good time. The conversation didn't go as deep as the previous one, but we did get to show how the old testament points to our need for a Savior and how Jesus fills that role.

Everyone was on a high walking back from that first day. It is amazing to me how open the Greeks are to debate, and even welcome it. They will argue fiercely but still love you at the end of it! Very refreshing coming from America where everyone is so closed to new ideas and conversation.

Later that night we went to the Hellenic Ministries building where we were going to serve the meal. I found out that the Moody Bible school men's choir was singing so I would not be able to share the Gospel. While I felt a sense of relief at not having to speak in front of so many people, I was confident that I can if needed in the future! The meal was soup, bread and olives, the men were so grateful, and our whole team loved serving them! Mark especially! He passed, he swept, he cleaned, he carried, he even mopped the bathroom. And he had a smile on his face the whole time.

We all went to be tired, sore and happy that we were able to serve the refugees physical food and the students Living Water. Pray that the seeds that we plant are fertilized with questions and prayer and that they eventually grow into a relationship with Jesus!

Campus Wasteland

Saturday: We had our first introduction to the campus that we will be working on. My team, Great Plains International (GPI) is on the campus of The Polytechnical University of Athens, basically the MIT of Greece. These kids are smart! Walking on campus was like stepping into a post apocalyptic, Children of Men-esque, world. There was graffiti everywhere, trash blowing around, unfinished buildings, crumbling cement structures, and posters for political parties covering hallways, windows and buildings. It seemed like a very desolate and dark place.

The stinters explained that there were  no clubs or sports or activity groups in Athens, the political parties were the only organizations. They function as a student council, a campus government, an identity for the students who are a part of them and a bit like a cult. The major ones on campus are Communist, Socialist, Capitalist, and Anarchist, the capitalists are "in power" right now which is why there have not been as many student strikes lately. The students vote each week whether to attend class for the rest of the week, kind of a crazy idea to us Americans who begrudgingly go to school every day without much of a choice. What I found however in talking with students on Monday, was that College level schooling in Greece is free! They see it as a right and a privilege and strike because the government is not giving the schools enough money to run all the programs that the students have a right to enjoy. More on that later.

We split up into teams that would be working in different parts of campus. My team is Cari, Keegan, and me. I am so excited for this team, so are the girls, and when we got to our assigned location the excitement reached a new level. We were assigned to Civil engineering and topography. The moment we were shown the major hangouts all of us started laughing because we could all feel the Power and Presence of God in that place. I knew, as solidly as I knew that Wheaton was the right college for me, that this is where God wanted me and has prepared conversations to have and lives for my team (team Dot Ninjas because the main cafe is called Dots) to impact.

After leaving campus we were all in awe of what we had seen and felt God doing on our small tour. Upon investigation, God had prepared each group (which were chosen "randomly") for the specific place on campus where they were assigned.

The rest of the day was spent on a human scavenger hunt through a very busy mall. The stinters and interns dressed up and hid in plain sight for our team to find. It was a blast! Life size wheres waldo haha!

I have pictures but haven't been able to upload them because of the spotty internet, but stay tuned, they are pretty powerful...

Behind already...Orientation

I knew this was going to happen. I would get here with all the intentions of blogging everyday but once things got started it would be impossible to keep up. I have been in Greece since last Wednesday, May 25 and have done quite a bit for four short days. Yesterday was incredible, so I'm going to save it for its own post but Thursday and Friday were devoted to learning about Agape (campus crusade abroad) and through skits and discussions, giving us an idea of what our conversations with the Greek students will be like.

Thursday: Got up and did my small workout on the floor of our hostel room, just sit ups push ups and pull ups on my bed, but being disciplined in one thing helps me to stay disciplined in another and I want to be disciplined in my quiet times, with this blog and pouring into and hanging out with my team who I love more and more every day. But I digress, the point of this day was to join with the other teams (there are two other crusade teams here who are going to different campuses in Athens) and begin our "training." The international church, St. Andrews I believe, is in what is considered the worst part of Athens and it looked the part. While there is graffiti everywhere in the city, it was thicker and darker here. The park that is along the street is full of homeless people and drug addicts looking for money and their next high.

The service started with worship. Worship, if you don't know this about me already, through singing and praising is one of the best ways I know and my favorite way to connect with God. Many of the songs I didn't know, but the tears came anyway, and while i stood there crying and speaking in tongues I saw again a vision for this trip. It was all the citizens of Athens, looking up to the sky as we fly away and remembering and thinking about what we had said to them and considering life amidst what is a very dark time for their country and then God flooding the valley where Athens is, so much so that the living water breaks over the mountains and into the surrounding land, Africa, Turkey, Macedonia, the Middle East.

We learned about the culture and some of the tools we had at our disposal for talking about God with the Greeks but for your sake I will save this discussion for another day.

Friday: The second day of orientation was much like the first. Worship, some teaching, and then discussion about what to expect when we go onto campus.

We got to know the interns or "stinters" more on friday. They have been here since September, working on campus with students and operating a "Steke"(pronounced steki) which means hangout near one of the campuses. Their names are Zach, Joel, Allison, Brittany, Ashley, Anya, and Jessica. They are really cool people who are really excited to work with us and help encourage us as we start making relationships with students on campus. 

The Team

God has totally been setting up this team! I am so excited to get to spend the next month with these people. That includes working through some really hard times and sharing in some incredibly joyous one. (and some that happen way to early in the morning to post about because my mom reads this blog ;)

I will try to tell about all the people that are on the trip and things that have shown up even in the short time we have been together so far and then as the summer progresses include things I'm learning about them, this is important to let you all know because they are so much a part of my life over here! Please pray for all of us, as we will need support as we do the work God has for us here in Greece!

Here we go...

Anna Bohn: Anna and I are dating. WOAH before you jump to all sorts of conclusions about why we are going out after only knowing each other four days hold the phone! We met in high school, started dating sophomore year, broke up freshman year of college and have been back together since december of last year. Now thats behind us, Anna is a very social person. She likes being in the middle of things and likes being in with the loudest, while she can take some time to join a new group of people, once she does she is fiercely loyal and compassionate. Her compassion and heart for the hurting is one of the things that I like the most about Anna and something that God will be using to reach the Greek students we will be ministering too. With all of the turmoil in Greece and the strong emotions, Anna will be able to empathize and work to understand the situation and describe how God has helped her through some hard times.

Catherine Rutter: Catherine has been affectionately named "crazy catherine" by the four year old on the trip and for the most part its true. She has an amazing amount of energy and spunk that translates into a sharp wit and love of noise, laughter, and late nights. Catherine is great with the leader's kids and through that shows gentleness that her loud laugh and rambunctious behavior can hide. She definitely lives on the edge and loves to push the envelope, but her two tattoos, one of a world map with joshua 1:9 written on it and another of roses twined together with verses. Her friendliness and joy are infectious and will be a real light on the campus we are working at as well as a welcome relief during group times when a laugh is sorely needed.

Cari Straughn: Cari is a North Carolina girl. An apt descriptor I think, which brings to mind a slight southern accent, eye contact, good mannered, social, spunky person. That would be Cari. She loves God, her family, and working out. The first day she was beat, the jet lag and airports took all her energy away, but the next day, when everyone else was suffering from the heat and jet lag, Cari was up bouncing around and ready to shop (which she claims is a first). Cari obviously loves the Lord with her whole heart and it shows through the way she interacts with the group, makes quiet times her priority, and the way she carries herself with a reckless abandon to the Lord, trusting Him to take care of all she needs. The students will understand that there is something different about Cari, and miss self (God) confident will be happy to tell them what it is.

Hollie McKinney: Hollie is the student staff on this trip, which means that she has been on this trip before (last year in fact) and helps to lead along with Jason and Mandie Summers. I have not been able to get to know Hollie much so far, but I know that she is a very mature girl whose heart for the Greeks is matched only by her love for God. She is a senior in college and will be a great role model and leader for the other girls on this trip. I think its her leadership (and ability to follow) that makes her stand out among our group. I am looking forward to getting to know Hollie better.

Keegan Shepard: RAWK CHALK JAY HAWK KUUU! Thats right! Another KU fan among MU grads and students, needless to say we find solace with each other. She is also in a similar field to me, nursing, but she is interested in pediatric care even oncology. Keegan is very talkative and upfront with what she is thinking and feeling, much like the greek in this way. She has a very practical outlook of the world and is the level headed voice of the girls it seems. She won't be put off by an argument or a tough question and this will let her have hard conversations with the students that others on the team might shy away from.

Dannah Moore: Dannah has an opinion on everything! This is very helpful when it comes to deciding where to get coffee in the morning when we are all bleary eyed and indecisive. She has also spent time in Greece and a little time in Athens while studying abroad last summer. Her recommendations about gelato for example should be followed at all costs. :) Because she has been here before and is more comfortable with the culture of Greece, Dannah is not afraid to try out the language and initiate conversations if she needs information. I don't know much else at this point but I know she trusts God and will do what she thinks is right, safe, and pleasing to the Lord on campus!

Stephanie Banks: Stephanie is a very sweet girl. She has a very easy laugh and is a joy to be around. She definitely knows what it is to trust God with something and know that it will come to pass, and if I had to guess, thats where the joy and peace comes from. The other thing that comes across is her even keel. While she laughs loud and often, things don't move her dramatically. Her steadfast attitude is encouraging to me and something I can and have learned from. I think that the students will be drawn to her because of her joy and will find it easy to talk to her about important issues like where they will spend eternity because she will not be moved from her faith.

Lauren Sullivan: Lauren is here part as a baby sitter for our leaders' kids (Judah 2, and Addison "Adi" 4) and part as a team member. She has not been able to take part in some activities because of her responsibilities with the kids but all the same, she is and will be a big part of this trip. She is serving our leaders so they can come on campus with us and support us. Without Lauren this trip would certainly be much harder. I respect her for her servants heart. I haven't gotten to know her too well yet, but this is only the first week :)

Brandon Cox: Brandon is a super solid guy. It took a couple days for him to warm up to us but more and more each day he has shown his sharp wit and caring, protective, loyal attitude. A very soft spoken guy, but when he speaks, pay attention and get ready because he is quick with a joke. It's only been four days in Greece, but I love rooming with him. He is a great example of how to have a quiet time, how to hang out with the group, and how to be a Godly man in the midst of all these girls. While he is kind of quiet, at a technical college I think he will find that God has men stationed ready to hear what Brandon believes and I can't wait to meet those men in heaven!

Mark Webb: Mark is so great! He (along with brandon and me) is the only other guy student on the trip. Mark is a trooper. He hangs back with girls shopping, he listens attentively to the leaders or the speaker, he stands up fiercely for what he believes is right. I respect him so much. He is also very disciplined in his quiet times and encourages me to do the same. Not much has come out as far as his motivations for his protectiveness and pursuit of justice but I look forward to rooming with him the next five weeks and finding ways to make him laugh and understand him more.

Left to Right: Top: Brandon, Jeff (leader), Mark, Catherine, Joseph, Anna.
Bottom: Dannah, Hollie, Lauren, Cari, Keegan, Stephanie

Thats the team (along with me). I really believe that God has brought us here from all over the country to Athens Greece with a purpose and a specific goal in mind for each of us as well as one for us as a group. The amount that we have grown together over this first week is pretty incredible. I'm sorry for this looong post but I really want to include all these people in my blog because they are the most important thing to me right now, and your prayer and support of them is so highly appreciated! Now you have names to pray and spirits to lift up!

The first days

The first day of an international trip is always longer than expected. After an evening of briefing and embarrassing ice breakers and get to know you games, my team and I had gone to bed expecting the full day and a half of travel that started at 630 may 24th. One of the leaders, Jeff, was getting up to workout and I decided to join him. Despite having to get up at 545 am the workout was perhaps the best thing I could have done. Most importantly it helped remove my travel worries that often accompany me to the airport. The flight to Chicago, the first leg, was quick and painless. After a two hour layover at O'hare which could have been disastrous, we boarded the 767 bound for Frankfurt. Another easy flight, no turbulence, no crying babies (even the leader's 2 and 4 year olds were troopers!), my video screen worked, and I slept for four out of the 7.5 hours!!! The four hour layover in Frankfurt was fun even though it was 545 am the next day may 25, (9 pm may 24 st. Louis time) as the kids entertained us with parties and skits and candy. The first sign of trouble came on the 2 hour flight to Athens. No one slept and it was a tight euro plane packed with many smells and interesting sounds. (babies, German, Greek, Hebrew, Japanese, disgruntled couple). Finally we arrived in Athens. We were greeted by some very energetic interns with agape student ministries, the branch of ccc internationally and taken on an hour long PACKED metro ride and four blocks to the hostle. Strangely I had energy for all that plus two meals. One a family style four course meal for lunch (330 pm, 730 am stl) and gelato for supper. Through all of this crazy travel and the beginning of a five week cultural and missional experience God was SO present. From the moment I woke up to work out, to riding the shuttle to the airport, through security, all the flights and layovers, God's presence was tangibly with us! The whole team could sense it I think as no one could stop smiling and working hard to keep things running smoothly. God is so good and every step I take I know God is setting up the next one with people to talk to and love on.

Even though we had just gotten off the plane and were all hoping to sleep, we hiked to Mars Hill, where Paul spoke to the Athenians in Acts 17. With the Parthenon right there and a view of the old part of the city it was hard not to imagine Paul speaking 2000 years ago. A thought struck me as we were praying for our trip and the hearts of the Athenians. God specifically sent Paul here and gave him words to say to the Athenians. Since that time they have fallen away from God. BUT, here we are in the same place for the same purpose, sent by the same God to these people. God has a PLAN for this city. A city situated on the threshold of Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. The picture I got was a launch pad, prepped and ready to launch but with only the shell of a rocket on it. I BELIEVE that God has sent the agape team and campus crusade to Greece to show the people how to finish the rocket and blast into the regions surrounding Greece!?