Time off on Tuesday

Today was a scheduled day off so we decided we would take a trip over to see the stage one and stage two camps that are also run by Euro Relief. We have yet to find a straight road to anywhere on this island but with each crazy turn God reveals to us another stunning view. Much of our drive today was the same path that many of the refugees walked before there was an organized bus 'schedule' in place to take them to Moria. Our first stop was at the stage two camp where Calvary's January team spent most of there time working.

Today the camp was empty of refugees but was fully staffed by a group of volunteers from a church in Texas. This camp is stocked with food and clothing and can provide emergency shelter for several people. It is designed to hold the refugees for only a few hours while they wait for the bus to Moria. They have even constructed a makeshift basketball hoop to pass the time.

We went down to the beach and saw the remains of a few boats as well as a life jacket and other small personal items. They continue to clean up the beaches but the boats keep coming. As you drive you see blankets, piles of wet clothes, life jackets and other personal belongings littering the side of the road. The scenery is beautiful but you can't forget what is happening here because there are reminders everywhere you go; little reminders to pray for desperate people seeking safety and refuge.

It was nice to have a day off to rest but it was important for us to see how our new friends have arrived here and see the dangers they survived to get to this point in their journey. It's hard to imagine our friends cold, scared and hungry on these boats and beaches.

Please continue praying for us as we return to Moria in the morning. Pray that we would show mercy and compassion to these people. Pray that God would give us opportunities to share the Good News  with those who so desperately need Jesus. Please pray that God would help us prepare for our departure. That seems like a strange request so early in the week but in a very short time these wonderful people have become our friends and it is going to be a sad thing having to leave them, not knowing what their future holds.

Thank you for praying for us!

The Calvary A Team (April)