Winter Travels 3: The ghettos of Athens

refugees hanging out in Athens

brothels in Athens

"Some wish to live within the sound
Of Church or Chapel bell;
I want to run a Rescue Shop
within a yard of hell."
C.T. Studd-missionary to China, India, and Africa

To the mass of humanity that I was pushing through, I obviously didn't belong here. As I made my way through the hundreds of refugees with nothing to do but hang out in the ghettos of downtown Athens, I could see that they were from all over the world and they had one thing in common: they had nowhere to go. When I finally got to the refugee drop-in center I had to step over homeless refugees desperately covering themselves with cardboard to avoid the rain. Pushing my way through a courtyard entrance, I contorted my body in ways I didn't know were possible to avoid the 8 heroin addicts weaving wildly and holding syringes with open needles. After passing their dealer who was selling heroin openly, I noticed 6 policemen walking by checking paperwork of refugees. They were not interested in the drugs.

Just a few short blocks away from here was the "red light district" of Athens. I had already heard the testimonies of women involved in human trafficking in Athens and Thessalonica so I knew the plight of the women behind these doors where sex tourists unashamedly walked through doors from building to building.

My journey to downtown Athens to help distribute bags of food and hygiene items started because of the annual Refugee Highway Partnership Conference for European workers. I was privileged to be representing ReachGlobal Europe as representatives from all over Europe met in Athens, Greece. There was a great balance of presenting information, networking, working on committees, and serving refugees. Athens, for many reasons, is one of the largest "arrival points" for refugees escaping North Africa and especially the middle east. Because of recent political events in Iran, refugees from Afghanistan are flooding the streets of Athens.

A disturbing "highlight" was becoming aware of the human trafficking situation in Europe and making some connections between Roma ministry, Refugee ministry, and Human Trafficking. Here for the first time I was able to get a clear picture of another "highway"...the routes of trafficked sex slaves. Prague, among other cities in Europe, is an origin point, a transit point, AND a destination point for human trafficking. Traffickers in the Czech Republic deal in both prostitution and forced labor.

A member of the A21 campaign to abolish human trafficking spoke at the conference and I was glad to have a private conversation with him. The things I learned have caused me to do a great deal of reflection on how ReachGlobal can be involved in ministry to trafficked people (and traffickers). This will not be the last time I mention human trafficking. Soon, I will blog about the "coincidences" (read God's leading) that led me to visit to a minstry center in the heart of the red light district in Amsterdam.

In the meantime, if you are interested, write me to find out more. Or check out the A21 Campaign webpage at: a21campaign.org Especially note their "TAKE ACTION" section where they have listed 21 practical ways you can get involved.

Refugees-Part 4: The Church: Hope for refugees

Guest author Sam Tabiendo has submitted this story of hope. Sam, a fellow ReachGlobal missionary working in Spain, and I are both ReachGlobal contacts for the Refugee Highway Partnership in Europe. This is a story he wrote for his personal prayer letter. (NOTE: This photo is not of Sam or Patrick.)

MINISTRY TO REFUGEES

Can you imagine teaching the Word and getting thrown in jail? You're told that the bribe from your spouse just got you released and you better flee the country while you have life. A short time later, you are in a new country, foreign language, loved ones far away, you are homeless and penniless. I was in London at a conference regarding refugees in Europe. My first night there, I dined next to Patrick from Africa. This was his story five years ago. Patrick received asylum, has adapted, and has been living as a boarding home advisor with British juvenile delinquents, helping them make transitions back to the world. At the end of their term, these tough white guys are weeping as they say farewell to Patrick, who to them was closer than a father or brother. Yet it has been 5+ years apart from his family while I was whining about being 4 days away from mine. Patrick is one among over 1,500,000 refugees in Europe, not all for the cause of Christ, but the Lord has sovereignly brought them here. Whether they came legally or illegally, they all need Jesus. What are we, the Church who are also "strangers in a strange land" to do? This refugee conference offered hopeful answers to this issue. the church has an opportunity to fulfill what the Lord has taught (Mt 25:35) and yes, this is a controversial topic amongst Christians. ReachGlobal has begun a ministry with Refugee Highway Partnership to help reach the aliens.

Towards the end of our dinner, Patrick beamed about nearly saving up the money in hopes of bringing his family here within the next year. They are refugees themselves, "safely" in hiding in another African country. (....and I was whining to myself about being away from my family at this conference for five days.)

Refugees-Part 1: Refugee Highway Partnership

The "Refugee Highway" describes the well traveled paths where refugees flee from their homes and try to make it to a safe place in another country. Refugees flee from war, economic despair, and persecution and try to get to a country where they can apply for asylum. The journey is dangerous and they are often disappointed when arriving at their destination. They risk it all because to turn back often means certain death.

I have agreed to work 10% as a co-contact person (along with a RG colleague) for ReachGlobal Europe in the Refugee Highway Partnership (Click here to see website). I don't know exactly what this means yet but I will be keeping informed about ministry among refugees in Europe, communicating with ReachGlobal missionaries about possibilities to work with refugees, and promoting ministry among refugees.

The Refugee Highway Partnership consists of Christian organizations and churches in Europe that work with refugees. These people work at various points along the "refugee highway". They are a passionate, dedicated group of people who have many creative ministries in varying countries around the world.

I had the opportunity to meet with leaders of these ministries in Europe at a conference in London. I learned a lot about the plight of the refugee, the hope that the Church is giving refugees in Europe, and I did some networking. Please pray as I make next steps in refugee ministry in Europe.

Quick facts about the conference:


Number of countries that were represented: about 15

One of many projects that excited me: The New Neighbour Programme: Christian churches and organizations working together to find housing, education, legal help, etc etc for a refugee family. They meet the family as they get off the plane and drive them to their new home where they meet those who will be helping them get settled.

Number of books I brought back from the conference: 6 (and a map of the refugee highway)

Number of stories of hopelessness: a lot

Number of stories of hope being given: even more

Refugees-Part 2: It's time for "Show and Tell"

Throughout human history, God has been working out His plan of redemption through his people. In the Old Testament, He called out a people to Himself in order to make his name known among the nations. In the New Testament age, Christ's death and resurrection made the way for Gentiles to be "grafted into" God's people. Now the Church (followers of Christ) has the primary responsibility to bring redemption to "show and tell". The evangelical church has historically been quite good at "tell" but sometimes I am not sure we have been the greatest at "show".

Isaiah 58:5-7 not only shows God's heart for the poor and oppressed but shows that religion by itself does not please God. A true redemptive faith in Jesus Christ will evidence itself in action. Matthew 25:31-46 and James 2:14-46 show that our faith will be evidenced by works (acts of love) that affect others. These verses all use examples of helping those who have less than us or those who are suffering and helpless.

The Old Testament especially talks about a particular "trio" of people who need special care from the people of God. Deuteronomy 10:17-19 is one of many sections that specifically points out the needs of the special trio of the orphan, the widow, and the alien.

Why did God give such emphasis on these three groups of people?

These were "severely at risk" groups. Each one of them had lost their provider, their advocate, and their protection. They had no voice and no way to provide for themselves. This made them especially alone and at risk for being taken advantaged of. So who are the "at risk" groups around you who have a need for the church to speak up and take care of them?

There are so many groups but in my next few entries, I will highlight the group of 42 million people around the world who have been forcibly displaced from their homes. The refugee is the modern equivalent of the person who has lost their protection, their provision, and their advocate.