Our day began with a great breakfast of eggs, ham, various cereals, and Greek yogurt (but isn’t ALL yogurt here “Greek yogurt!?”).
From there we traveled into Athens to work at Helping Hands. This is a ministry that works primarily with Afghani and Iranian refugees. The missionaries shared with us their current situation and how their ministry has pivoted from hosting events for refugees in their building to traveling to the newly-formed refugee camps in Greece. They also taught us about Greek culture, including a “Greek body-language quiz” (you might want to find out why you should be careful how you wave goodbye to a Greek!). After the talk, we served the ministry with some students assembling spice packets and bottles of oil and vinegar to hand out, while others cleaned and organized the mission. We finished our work by praying over the ministry leaders.
From there we traveled to a beach-side restaurant south of Athens (holding our breath through each tunnel) where the students got a culinary feast of (for many of them) new tastes. The menu included bread, french fries, eggplant, shrimp, calamari, and roasted sardines! You will have to check to see which student tried what! Many students dipped their toes in the very chilly Aegean Sea while six of our brave guys changed into bathing suits and charged (or sauntered…or may have been pushed) into the gorgeous blue waters!
A surprise visit from Shane Brandon’s sister (she is studying in Athens) was a fun addition to the many birthday wishes and songs he got today for turning 18!
From there we headed out on a 40-minute, INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL drive down the coast to visit Poseidon's Temple. Built in 440 BC, it was our first exposure to the ancient history of Greece (although we could see the Parthenon from the bus as we drove through Athens). A group photo was followed by watching the sunset over the sea and mountains.
We returned home to eat gyros, debrief, and play some late night soccer!
Thanks for your prayers! Please say a prayer for Helping Hands ministry tonight that God would continue to use them to bring refugees to know Him!
From there we traveled into Athens to work at Helping Hands. This is a ministry that works primarily with Afghani and Iranian refugees. The missionaries shared with us their current situation and how their ministry has pivoted from hosting events for refugees in their building to traveling to the newly-formed refugee camps in Greece. They also taught us about Greek culture, including a “Greek body-language quiz” (you might want to find out why you should be careful how you wave goodbye to a Greek!). After the talk, we served the ministry with some students assembling spice packets and bottles of oil and vinegar to hand out, while others cleaned and organized the mission. We finished our work by praying over the ministry leaders.
From there we traveled to a beach-side restaurant south of Athens (holding our breath through each tunnel) where the students got a culinary feast of (for many of them) new tastes. The menu included bread, french fries, eggplant, shrimp, calamari, and roasted sardines! You will have to check to see which student tried what! Many students dipped their toes in the very chilly Aegean Sea while six of our brave guys changed into bathing suits and charged (or sauntered…or may have been pushed) into the gorgeous blue waters!
A surprise visit from Shane Brandon’s sister (she is studying in Athens) was a fun addition to the many birthday wishes and songs he got today for turning 18!
From there we headed out on a 40-minute, INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL drive down the coast to visit Poseidon's Temple. Built in 440 BC, it was our first exposure to the ancient history of Greece (although we could see the Parthenon from the bus as we drove through Athens). A group photo was followed by watching the sunset over the sea and mountains.
We returned home to eat gyros, debrief, and play some late night soccer!
Thanks for your prayers! Please say a prayer for Helping Hands ministry tonight that God would continue to use them to bring refugees to know Him!