May GWOM - Σκαμπανεβάσματα - Ups and Downs

This month has been one of many ups and downs for us.

We rejoiced as we celebrated Christ's resurrection early in the month. Then on Mother's Day we got a call from a pregnant girl who wanted to move into The Hope Center (THC). So we packed things up and moved in, only to be sadly disappointed when she decided to go back to her boyfriend very shortly afterwards. We learned some lessons, cried some tears and are moving on. We still keep in touch with her and are so glad that she is choosing to keep the pregnancy and we will do our best to walk through this journey beside her even if we are not living together. 

Following this our dear friends, Donna and Doug Russell arrived from the States and we moved them into THC with us and began working tirelessly to get THC ready for further habitation. We moved in furniture, washed and cleaned it, installed ceiling fans and light fixtures, chose pictures for the walls and bedding for the rooms, rearranged furniture, tiled behind the kitchen sink and cleaned and cleaned and cleaned. Once most of the work was done, we also had a chance to show them a bit of Greece too which was really fun.

We learned about living in the totally unique culture in which THC is located; surrounded by Roma people who desperately need love. There is lots of the noise and undisciplined children as well as the challenge to reach out in love to those who are so different from us. In short, we have never needed Jesus more, which is exactly where we believe God wants us to be! 

We also invited many guests up to THC this month in order to acquaint them with our new facility and the needs of the surrounding neighborhood. 

Additionally, we said goodbye to four of our volunteers from The Greek Bible College who have been ministering beside us this year on campus, at the office and at THC. The girls were a tremendous help and encouragement to us all year and we had a fun night of dinner and bowling together to say thank you and goodbye. 

As you can tell, there were many highs and lows this month, but we move forward in faith knowing that God is leading us one step at a time and that He will never leave us or forsake us!

Please pray with us

-for wisdom in continuing to develop this pro-life ministry

-for a continuing relationship with our pregnant friend

-for the Roma community surrounding THC and for our relationship within it

-fellow co-workers to join our team

Mar/Apr GWOM: Κορίτσια - Girls

Thanks for those of you who have been praying with us. The last two months have been busy and we have been storming the heavens on behalf of LIFE here in Greece. Specifically we have been praying for God to send us girls to live in The Hope Center.

Just yesterday, one girl called us. She had left her home with just her suitcase! Needless to say this was a little surprising for us, but we brought her to our house last night and if all goes well after our HM family conference this weekend, we will all be moving into the Hope Center together next week! Planning, planning and then God surprises us!

Additionally, during the last two months we have been following up on leads with about six different girls. Each time we have pursued each of these opportunities and have been ready to move into The Hope Center asap as the need arose.

Needless to say, it has been a bit of a roller coaster ride for us as we wait on the Lord and His timing for everything. Four of the cases did not pan out. In fact, sadly, we know at least one of the girls chose abortion. Currently we have two girls in their early stages of pregnancy who are considering living with us in THC. We have accompanied one of these girls to the doctor and to the microbiologist for blood tests. One of the highlights of this trip was to see her baby moving in the ultrasound and to see the delighted look on her face as she was able to see her baby too (this is the girl who came to our house last night).

We have met with three obstetricians/gynecologists in Athens and have been able to leave stands with our information in them for display in their offices.(See above photo)

We also have been working with a post abortion counseling class. This has proven to be a very intimate time of sharing wounds and opening up to surrendering secrets and receiving the Lord's healing in lives.

We have two manuals and one post abortion book in translation now and we are looking forward to getting these materials back so they can be used with Greeks.

We believe we are just on the cusp of this ministry opening wide open!

Please pray with us:
-For the two girls who are considering staying at THC.
-For our language skills as both these girls speak Greek, not English.
-For Mike and I as our team leader will be gone for three weeks.
-For continued wisdom, unity and financial support for this ministry.
-Praise the Lord for His faithfulness to us!

HELLENIC MINISTRIES IS ALSO PREPARING FOR OPERATION JOSHUA 6.
Check out this video.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoFsnfjFvsM&feature=youtube_gdata_player
COME SEE US IN GREECE THIS SUMMER!