Morning Star

Alex Macris, the skipper of the Morning Star, reports:

The other day I was on my way to the most industrial part of Athens, in order to pick up a "man overboard" flag that I had ordered.  The marine store that I was headed to is run by a family that immigrated to Greece from Constantinople many years ago.  I have been purchasing hardware for the Morning Star from this particular store for 13 years.  Every time I purchase an item, I intentionally strive to build one more connection with these people in order to strengthen our relationship. 

I have had various opportunities to share my faith with them, but this day was something different.  As we began to talk, I felt that the Holy Spirit was opening up their hearts unto Himself in a very unique way.  The more I shared the Gospel with them, the more I sensed that they were really listening and were being truly "enlightened" for the very first time.

I thanked the Lord for this opportunity and was reminded again of the realization that it takes years in this country to break through all the spiritual strongholds people are under. 

Please pray for this family, that they will come to know the saving grace that Jesus offers and that they will experience the love that the Father has for them.

January 2009

... we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Cor 1:23-24

 

 

Love Meals | January 2009

Liza's story

Last week while I was at the hall (Evripidou) waiting for the elevator, I overheard two older men talking. One man asked the other if this was his first time attending the love meal and he said yes. So the man began giving directions to the 7^th floor and encouraging the other to come upstairs. In fact, he was insisting that he join him. He explained that we (Hellenic Ministries) serve a meal every Monday night and that the people who help are very nice. He spoke very highly about the whole operation, especially about Mr. Bruce (McAtee), and his faithfulness in heading up the event for so many years. I interrupted the men and told them how happy I was that he felt that way about Bruce and the others. 

It touched my heart to hear how much this ministry means to those that attend it. Sometimes, we are so busy serving that we don"t realize what an impact we make on the people around us. God really used this occasion to reassure me that people are being touched by the love of Christ in us as we join Him in His work.

Matt's story

The meal was finishing up and I was headed upstairs to get the mops and buckets for cleanup.  On my way, between the elevator and the stairs, I began shaking hands with several guys telling them good night and probing around to see if any of them spoke English.  This group of 6 or 7 guys pointed me to one guy in their group that did.  His name is Mohammed and he, along with the others, is Palestinian.  Mohammed told me that none of them had had any contact with their families since the recent conflict with Israel had begun.  They expressed their heartache over the situation and concern for their families.  Mohammed has been in Greece for three months.  He said he has trouble finding work because "they look at my skin and say 'we don't have work.'"  These guys are experiencing hardship on a level that goes beyond what most of us have experienced in our lives. 

The gift to me that night was their smiles and their embracing handshakes.  They communicated that they felt welcomed, a feeling I don't imagine they experience very often.

...for I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me... I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.  (Mt 25:35-40)