Entrances, Exits, and Encounters

There were at least 300 new arrivals in Moria this week. At least one boat was being shot at on the Turkish side but escaped and was rescued in Greek waters. Life jackets are brought to a “Lifejacket Graveyard” to commemorate their passage. We saw new ones being dropped off last Monday.

After arriving by boat, refugees are then brought to Moria by bus where the UN documents them. Then Euro Relief provides each individual with a bundle of clothing, shoes if they have none, sleeping bag, towel, sheet, and toiletries appropriate to age and sex. These are organized for families by EuroRelief as the boats come in. They are given food and Euro Relief starts to work in finding room in the camp. They will be sleeping on a cot in a big hall or on the ground near the New Arrivals gate until space is available.

The last two nights we worked at least part of the time in New Arrivals, feeding them and giving them their bags that will for the most part be their only worldly possessions.

Most will be in Moria for six months or more. The first step out is a mandatory visit to the doctor. Stephanie and I were tasked with delivering doctor tickets to 4 individuals/families the other night. It is quite a feat just finding the right tent and person in this camp of almost 8000.

The first person we found was so ecstatic! He gave us hot tea (so great when it’s 95 F!) and called his family in Syria and put us on FaceTime. Euro Relief encourages us to not be task-oriented like Western cultures tend to be but to be relationship-oriented like the refugees we’re serving. So we took some time to share his joy!

Our best encounter was that evening when we met a family seated on a large blanket outside their tent. It looked like a man was writing English and I asked if it was a school. He said “Yes! We are trying to learn English!” We sat down and visited with them. They were delightful! They have been in Moria two weeks but seemed to really be making the best of things. Seeing folks like them gives me hope.

But actually our only hope is Jesus. These folks need Him, and this whole situation (both here and in the U.S. )needs the love and wisdom that only He can give.