My first week in Athens has been filled with many experiences, all of which I am grateful for. At times I have felt out of place. Like an alien from another planet, a stranger........a fish out of water. I don't understand their alphabet, can't speak the language yet or read the street signs. I don't know where I am going when I get on the bus or the metro, & they don't have a Walmart or a Target here! But then God reminds me that we are all, as followers of Jesus, "strangers & temporary residents on this earth" Ps 119:19a. Hebrews 11 talks about how Abraham, by faith, obeyed God, left his home & went to an unknown land. It says that "they were aliens & strangers." Reading over these verses reminds me that I'm in good company, I'm not the only one that has ever felt this way and I won't be the last. I am reminded God is with me. His word is my comfort & my guide, whatever my circumstance.
We have been visiting different areas of the city, meeting people, looking at buildings, talking to the different ministries we will be partnering with & visiting churches. It has been both exciting and saddening. The people we have met in the Christian community here have been wonderful, very welcoming, helpful and gracious. I am so thankful to be building relationships with them & to be able to call them family. As I have walked through the city I have seen many things that are distressing, sad, and remind me how vulnerable people are though. There was an addict shooting up right in front of us as we walked down the side walk, a drug deal went down just steps away from me, there are prostitutes and homeless on the streets. The peoples eyes are filled with emptiness. There's no hope, no peace, no love, no Jesus. That is why we are here! To bring the love of Jesus which gives hope, peace and brings freedom!
I am humbled and honored to be used by God here in Athens. I pray that he continues to work in and through me and equip me to do all that he wants me to do here. Please keep all of us on the Celebration Athens team in your prayers. We have alot of work to do for God! I will also keep you in my prayers.
Love & blessings, Tracy
We have been visiting different areas of the city, meeting people, looking at buildings, talking to the different ministries we will be partnering with & visiting churches. It has been both exciting and saddening. The people we have met in the Christian community here have been wonderful, very welcoming, helpful and gracious. I am so thankful to be building relationships with them & to be able to call them family. As I have walked through the city I have seen many things that are distressing, sad, and remind me how vulnerable people are though. There was an addict shooting up right in front of us as we walked down the side walk, a drug deal went down just steps away from me, there are prostitutes and homeless on the streets. The peoples eyes are filled with emptiness. There's no hope, no peace, no love, no Jesus. That is why we are here! To bring the love of Jesus which gives hope, peace and brings freedom!
I am humbled and honored to be used by God here in Athens. I pray that he continues to work in and through me and equip me to do all that he wants me to do here. Please keep all of us on the Celebration Athens team in your prayers. We have alot of work to do for God! I will also keep you in my prayers.
Love & blessings, Tracy
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