Dear Friends,

The past year has been quite the rollercoaster, with more downs than ups it seems. Here in Greece, we’ve spent the past 4 months in a strict lockdown - where we’re not supposed to go more than 2 kilometers from our home, and even then have to justify our movement with an sms to the government. Fortunately, God has provided opportunities to keep connecting with our refugee friends.

We’ve also had a chance to reflect on our first three years of ministry in Greece, follow online training opportunities, and find inspiration and vision for the years ahead.

In the following newsletters, we want to offer some snapshots looking back on the past year of our ministry here, accompanied by original artwork from Allie. We hope you enjoy it!

What do a Dutch-American, an Iranian, a Hazara-Afghan and a Pashtun-Afghan have in common?

We all conquered Mount Olympus!

Mt. Olympus 2020
Gouache and Pen

Going on a trek to the highest mountain in Greece had been my dream since we arrived here. Doing this three day trip with three refugee friends last summer was a very special experience. After a few months of lockdown it felt like we were breaking into freedom and finally moving again. Although none of the guys knew each other, they hit off to a great start and encouraged each other each step of the way. They kept a good pace as the trail climbed steadily up, surrounded by towering crags, through wild forests and across rushing streams.

Amir, an active member of the Farsi church, took every opportunity to talk about his faith with the other guys and answer questions, whether it was about the meaning of the icons in the Greek monastery or the question of whether we should be worried about the jinns and spirits in the forest. Ahmad enjoyed cheerfully greeting the Greeks on the trail with his newly-learned Greek phrases. He has long kept his faith in Jesus a secret, and took the time to ask me difficult questions about relationships, marriage and divorce. I had good conversations with Akbar, whose family has been waiting to be reunified with their mom in Germany for four years, about life purpose and hope for the future.

The final push to the peak involved some precipitous clambering along the cliff edge, with moments where we wondered if we would survive. But the result was breathtaking! Ahmad and Akbar were so proud to write their name in the logbook, as they were told they were most likely the first Afghans ever to make it to the top. Although Zeus was nowhere to be found, we talked about how God comes to us wherever we are - whether on top of a mountain or in the deepest valley.

That evening at the mountain refuge, we prayed, read a psalm and likened the hike to our life journeys - although we can’t see the way ahead at times, with perseverance we can reach our life goals. Being in this amazing natural beauty helped the guys to take a step back, see God’s hand at work and look at life with a new perspective. We went home feeling physically exhausted but spiritually renewed, curious and full of hope.