No One Chose Where They Were Born
I cried as I watched the starving children in Africa with their bloated bellies. The TV ad said, “For a cup of coffee a day you can feed a child in need.” I asked God, “Why was I born in America they in Africa? It could have been the other way around.” I was eight years old when I saw these horrific images on our big wood-covered TV. Nobody told me that this was wrong, but I just knew. God was speaking to me.
Instead of choosing a career field in humanitarian aid, however, I chose a career in IT and business. I pretty much chased the money. But for many years I found success in those fields—and I’m thankful for that time. Now, I’m ready to pursue my passion full-time of helping people and sharing the Gospel around the world.
Even though I worked as a web developer for many years, missions has always been on my heart. I served with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) New Zealand for three years and ministered in places like Mongolia, Thailand, and Poland. I’ve led a medical ministry in the Philippines and built homes for families in Haiti. God has done some amazing things in my life!
I love helping people. The last two years I have ministered to the refugees in Athens. Now, I plan on returning for a year.
Ministry in Athens
My heart breaks when I hear stories from refugees in Greece who fled war and persecution from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Many of them had family members who weren’t as fortunate and died before they left, or as they traveled across the Mediterranean Sea. Now, after moving thousands of miles to Athens, these men and women are stranded in Athens awaiting a better life.
They can’t work because Greece already endures an unemployment rate of over 20%. If they are lucky, the refugees will be transplanted to Europe—to Germany, Switzerland or Finland. If not, they might wait for over a year, or be sent back to their home countries.
As these sojourners from Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and, and Pakistan await being transplanted, it’s a perfect time to share Jesus with them! Indeed, in Athens, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” I’ve ministered to these men in Greece the past two years. Now, God is calling me to go full-time, but I need your help.
Why Greece?
The refugees are restless but and love interacting with foreigners—especially Americans. Talking about religion is not taboo in their culture, so it’s easy to bring up Christ—they often don’t know much about Him. When I was in Athens earlier this year, one guy from Afghanistan, asked: “Wasn’t Jesus from America?”
Time to Go
I can think of no other life right now than that of helping people around the world. It’s true what Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” Some are called to go while others are invited to support them. We are all called to help people–whether it’s in your neighborhood or across the ocean. I choose Athens for at least a year and will keep you up to date.
