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Live by faith

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"Faith is living as though the Bible is true despite circumstances (what is happening), emotions (how I feel about it), or cultural trends (what others have to say about it)." The Eurorelief Chaplin, Tim, would share this faith principle with us every day before we started a shift along with a couple of verses by which we could apply this. How can we walk intentionally through camp interacting with so many people and cultures and demonstrate this? As I (Aubrey) reflect on the past week, I am looking for those moments and needing those moments to balance the hardship and disappointment I saw in so many faces as they wander through each day. So where did I see God show up? In providing basic needs such as meals, clothes, and bedding to families who just arrived in Europe In sharing laughter with Deca from Somalia as we kicked around a latex glove balloon one night, even while we faced ridicule from a man of a different culture because I chose to believe that I...
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My Syrian Family

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This week has flown by, but at the same time it seems like I (Abbie) have been at the camp much longer. I know my way around somewhat and am not completely clueless when someone asks for help with something, even if it’s in Arabic or Farsi. The people I’ve worked with have my heart. A refugee camp is such a combination of some place where you never want to call home, but see such love demonstrated everywhere you look. I had to say goodbye to a sweet family I met from Syria, along with so many volunteers, all of whom I will miss. God is working in this camp. I have been overwhelmed by the kindness shown not just by volunteers, but also refugees living here. I received the sweetest sendoff this morning with a meal and some shaay (tea) from the Syrian family I’ve visited several times this week. Hopefully next year when I return, they will have made it to Athens.  Please continue to pray for the volunteers working in the heat this summer and the refugees living in the heat thi...
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What is the refugee camp like?

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One of the hardest parts about this trip is the difficulty in describing in words what it is like to be a refugee living in the camp. It's like tent camping in Texas for a entire year with 6,000 people you don't know. Here are a few pictures to give you an idea.
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It's Still Greece

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Working at the refugee camp is challenging and taxing, but at the end of the day, it's still Greece and the surroundings are beautiful with a culture that is focused on hospitality and food. 
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The North Shore

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We worked every day during our visit to Greece save one day where we took a little road trip to the north shore of lesvos to see the shoreline where most boats would arrive.  Above is a picture of the landfill where the lifevest of refugees are disposed of.  This location has become a symbol for the number of refugees that have attempted the crossing. 
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Roman Aquaduct

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After our work shift today (Thursday), we stopped in the town of Moria to see the ruins of a Roman aquaduct.  It is pretty amazing to see this feat of Roman engineering in person. 
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Warehouse Work

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The camp receives a large amount of donations for the refugees, including clothes, shoes, socks, underware, cleaning supplies (for those in container housing), and Healthcare products.  Most donations come from Europe though NGOs.  The camp staff will order the items and quantities they need but the contents of the delivery are always a surprise, none the less.  The items need to be sorted and organized then repackaged to be given to a refugee. In this picture, Calandra is making a 'burrito' which is just a package of clothes to be given to each refugee on arrival.  It contains 1 underware, 1 pair socks, 1 pair pants, and 2 shirts. 
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