Google maps said that it was a 19 minute walk from the base of Mars Hill to Bridges. This is the country of the Olympics, so maybe the Athenians just walk really fast, but it took us an hour even though we did not get lost.
We had a great time visiting with Voula and hearing the latest with their ministry. Greece has just elected a new government that is not refugee-friendly, and Voula explained what some of their concerns were with these new policies.
Then we met with Alexandros, one of the pastors of the church in Exarchia (see this post from a previous trip), and he showed us the progress on their church building and led us on a tour through the various ministries of Faros. Progress on the church building has been slow because it was designated for historical preservation. The women’s center that I worked in two years ago is now an educational center focusing on young women - preparing them with skills for the workforce. We visited the home for unaccompanied minor boys that I worked at two years ago and then also toured a new facility where teens are learning technical skills. MIT actually contacted Faros and is partnering with them at a center there. There are many gospel opportunities in the relationships being formed there. Very exciting stuff!
