Dear Friends and Family,
In December, we had a nice visit to 'Helping Hands' (the Athens Refugee Center in Greece). Although a ferry strike caused us to arrive a few days later than planned, we were still able to experience the full weekly program. The five-hour ferry journey from the island where Allie went to art school to the graffiti-littered bustling sprawl of Athens left us feeling like perhaps we’d been transported to a totally different country.
The visit had a huge impact on us, through a series of events that taught us how big little things are. With so many impressions, we couldn’t fit everything into one newsletter. Later we’ll share a day-by-day summary of the weekly Helping Hands program.
FRIENDS AND TEAMMATES
After settling in and having a meeting with the Greek director of the organization, we arrived at the house of some team members from Finland for a team meeting. We were so excited to meet the people who will certainly become our friends and coworkers later this year!
The team is diverse in age, nationality, and experience and includes a married couple our age from Germany who recently joined the team. With all of our moving around, we’ve missed having consistent friendship with anyone (let alone people our age). Just knowing we will have friends waiting for us is such a blessing!
"SHOPPING"
The doors of the Helping Hands center open to families already waiting at the door. “Salaam,” we greet them, and give them bags to fill with clothes while the meal is being prepared. Soon, the whole place is filled with the bustle of people and the scraping sound of hangars being pushed back and forth on the racks.
We move around returning clothes to racks and straightening piles for the next person, reminiscent of shopping in TJ Maxx or Marshalls. But so much is different.
Distributing clothes -- it sounds like a mundane, typical form of aid. But in the camps, families must line up to receive clothing. Aid workers may present the family with only 3 pieces of clothing. No matter the size of the clothes (let alone color!) the only choice is to say “yes” or “no.” Didn’t need jeans and a T-shirt? “Take it or leave it”. Size 6 pants are way too big for your daughter? Say “Yes” or say “No”.
At Helping Hands, we give them the opportunity and time they need to go through racks of clothing donations and fill their bags with whatever they need. What a joy to make a big difference in such a small way.
Sorting clothing before the day begins
“I am not a big shopper myself, so I feel humbled — and not just a little unqualified to eyeball someone else’s clothing size... but when a lady in her 40’s with dark hair covered partially by her scarf risks to ask me for help in a language she barely knows, how can I say no?
I help her pick a coat and some clothes to try on (yes, we even have a bathroom-turned-“fitting room!”). She disappears into the throng, reappearing a few minutes later. Seeking me out in the crowd she shows off her new winter coat — that fits! Her smile is full of gratitude. Surrounded by people who have lost their homes, their rights, their independence, and control, there we are - not an aid worker and a refugee... Not an American and an Afghan... We are two women sharing that “shopping” moment.”
DEPARTURE
Henk: Imagine an airport terminal with nothing in it, then fill that with tents. Between the tents are bed sheets hung up to create little “courtyards” and the impression of privacy.
And the chill is the reminder that there is no heat for the winter.
A bathroom stop tells me that only a few bathrooms are available to serve the thousands of people living and sleeping here. At the bathroom entrance I can tell it isn't going to be pretty inside.
Upon arrival, not knowing any of the faces around me, I feel uncertain about where to start, who to talk to, and whether it is weird for me to be there. There are so many people, so many families.
We soon find people we know from the center (many of the families from the center live in this camp). That makes me feel more comfortable, and the eager invitation to one of the tents for a cup of tea assures me that I am where I should be. Just as we think it is time to leave, lunch arrives, and we are obliged (and honored) to join them for the meal. It is humbling and beautiful to experience warm hospitality in the midst of uncertain and difficult circumstances.
“We sit together for more than 3 hours sharing a bit of our lives using our hands, feet and Google Translate. Of all the camps in Greece, this is not the worst, but it certainly isn’t the best either. I’ve been delayed at airports many times, and often overnight, but the the tragic irony of all these people stuck in an airport under the words “Departure” slams into me.”
The official camp in the old abandoned airport is made up of tents and makeshift blanket screens for privacy.
Allie: As we are preparing for the family meal, trying to answer numerous questions, and keeping track of the many kids running around I turn to a sudden collision at my waist -- a warm, tight giant HUG! Looking down I am greeted by big brown sparkling eyes, with big eyelashes looking back up at me. Her dark brown hair cut in a long bowl cut, she is wearing an all pink disney princess shirt and pajama-like pants. She gives me a very big silly grin.
How this girl enjoys being at the center! Fatima is 8. She and her parents come to the Helping Hands Center regularly. Later, in the craft room, she proudly shows me her projects, including her little plant that has just sprouted. On this visit, she is making a beautiful sparkly Christmas star to take with her.
Before preparing to leave that evening, she lingers and gathers her projects, carefully considering what to take and what to leave behind.
I soon learn my new friend is preparing to leave Greece for good. That night, she is to leave with her aunt and uncle, aided by human smugglers. Because they only have funds for three, Fatima’s mother will stay behind. As I hear the plans, I watch Fatima... wondering if anyone has told her, or if she understands the uncertainty ahead of her, the uncertainty of where she will end up -- or when or if she will see her mother again.
With many tears -- and as many prayers and blessings -- Fatima and her family leave the center.
I was shocked to see how many families were separated and broken up. In the one week I met multiple young children who were separated from their mothers and/or fathers who had gone before them, hoping to secure a safer route for their children through the reunification process. However, this process could take years and as time passes and policies shift smuggling remains a less desirable but consistent possibility.
The next day (a day set aside for Women’s Showers), we see Fatima’s aunt and mother again! The smugglers had (for unknown reasons) delayed taking Fatima, her aunt and her uncle. Then, while at the center -- the phone call comes: the delay has given them more time, and enough money has been scraped together for Fatima’s mother to go with them.
Fatima’s mother immediately asks Christy, our team leader, “Did you pray? Did you pray that Fatima and I would not be apart? Your prayers are answered!”
That evening, we say a second set of goodbyes and prayers. We send them off, grateful they are together -- and trusting God to protect them from the perils of the journey -- and from the smugglers themselves.
Allie: During the week, I meet another group of ladies who will also depart soon. The women, some pregnant and with infants to 8 year olds are traveling the more than 1500 miles to Germany, where the grandmother who is also traveling with them, has a son. Their joyous optimism of their opportunity to go doesn't overcome my concern. It is cold -- even in Athens. They are traveling alone. Still, the grandmother’s eyes are filled with excitement at the idea of seeing her son again soon.
The flow of refugees taking the dangerous 1000+ mile trip from Athens into northern Europe -- across unfriendly and officially closed borders, through wintry mountains, with dangerous smugglers -- actually increases in December. The increase of regular holiday traffic on the roads makes smuggling easier.
My fear keeps me from being fully present with their joy and hope of being a reunited family after years apart. As I look at the women and children (and a physically frail grandmother) I feel more than a little helpless…totally inadequate to do anything. The meals and warm clothes seem so little.
There is little I can do but to ask if they need anything for their journey and send them off with prayers.
SMALL THINGS MATTER
Athens is swamped with need: On top of a national economic crisis, more than 10,000 refugees have come to stay in the city. While thousands fill the camps, the Helping Hands center's capacity is around 130. There are waiting lists to come to our meals and use our showers and laundry programs.
It's easy to wish, want, and demand to do more for more people. This limited capacity, though, is by design -- for we are only able to provide the one-on-one care to a few at a time.
Yes, it seems like such a small effort for such a huge need. But these small things are what we’ve all been called to do.
To love individuals. To serve families. To sit at the table, hear the stories, build relationships. To “shop”. To teach guitar. To play foosball with a refugee kid. To say a prayer for the fearsome journey. One at a time.
Our God is big, and when we are faithful in small things he blesses with much. That’s why we’re so grateful for every one of you: Your prayers, gifts, your messages of encouragement.
Is there one small thing you can join us with this month? Perhaps you’ll pray with us for Fatima and her family at your mealtime. Or join us with your financial support each month. Every small way you join with us is multiplied by the generous grace of God.