Home Sick

I'm sitting here at my computer in my room, and thinking back over all the amazing times that I had in Greece. The accomplishments I made, the ways I grew, the friends I got to know, the places I got to see, the people I got to meet, and the overall experience of being who knows how many miles away from home in a totally new country where I don't speak the language, and being away from my family for 21 days straight...just thinking about it, the tears start forming.

Being in Greece for 19 days with YWAM was probably the most awesome and life-changing thing that has ever happened to me. In fact, I KNOW it is!!! Greece is, to me, the most beautiful place in the whole world! The people there are amazing, the food is great (minus all the mayonaise, ketchup, and fish, lol), and the lifestyle is one you could almost kill for! But the best part of it for me was the total forced dependancy on God! I was there on His errend, by His will, and through His miracles. Every day I would be constantly in prayer and worship, and my life was a living, breathing sacrifice to Him, the God of ALL creation, and Creater of all the universe...my loving, caring Father! It meant so much to me that my life could actually have that much worth! Over here, my life is school and chores and youth group and friends, and I try to fill in as MUCH as I can with God, because without Him, I feel like I'm nothing...which is the exact truth. Without Him, there's no purpose in life, so I'd be better off not even bothering to try (no wonder so many people, espcially teens, committ suicide..).

But over there, my entire life, E-V-E-R-Y *S-I-N-G-L-E* B-R-E-A-T-H, was His!! My entire being was an act of worship to Him!!! Knowing that I was able to glorify God more in that 19-day period than I have in a LONG time, made the entire trip worth it's weight in gold a HUNDRED times over!!!!!

But aside from the spiritual, I did get dearly attatched to our outreach city, Nafplio. It was SOOOO beautiful, and the people were absolutly amazing! They were (for the most part) VERY accepting, loving, excited that Americans were interested in their lives and their town, and throughly delitefull!

Here's a picture of the city:




That picture of the main part of the town was taken from the Palamidi Fortress. It's a huge fortress at the top of the hill in Nafplio. Our group took one of the days we were in Naphlio and hiked up the 1000 some stair steps in 110°F to the top. We had a worship and prayer time overlooking the entire city, and it was amazing to see how God was seriously moving there!

This next and last one is of one of the streets that I came to love so dearly. I walked up and down it maybe 8 or 10 times a day at least, because the Acronafplia was the hotel I stayed at in Naphilo. Isn't it just sooo beautiful, yet so quaint and simple?? :)



I love that place so much. From the 7 days that we were stationed in Nafplio, it grew to be a part of me, and I'll never forget my home away from home...

But enough tears for now. It's bed time for me, so I'll turn my computer off and get into my warm bed, snuggle under the covers so much that it gets REALLY hot to simulate the Greek evening weather, and then dream of being back in the most wonderful place in the world...the one little corner of the universe that holds my heart more than any other...

God bless, and please continue to pray for all the seeds we planted in Greece. Those people are going to need a lot of spiritual watering to grow and become beautiful flowers in God's garden of life!

Kali Nichta, & Yasas!

Home sick,
<>< Christi <><

Kali nichta, and Yasas again!!!

(Kali nichta = good night)

Well everyone, so ends an awesome journey of God in me and my friends to a foreign country called Greece, but so begins an amazing new lifestyle at home. My flight got into Seattle at around 8-8:30 pm Washington time, and it's now 1:01 am. I have officially been up for over 24 hours because of the time difference between Frankfurt, Germany and here. Yes, that's right...Germany. Our group got to spend the night in host homes across Frankfurt because we had a 20 hour lay-over on our way home. One of the gentlemen from Germany that spoke at the True Love Waits rally was able to go home and ask his church for families who would be willing to take us (all 37 or so of us) into their homes for a night. It was soooo wonderful!!! So I got to stay in a German home, in a German bed, eat real German food, and also the host home I was staying at took us to a Castle in the morning before he dropped us off at the airport! Praise the Lord we didn't have to spend all that time sleeping in the airport!!! :P

Well, I have about 6 hours of sleep ahead of me before I leave for a camping trip with my family, best friend, and others tomorrow morning, so I am going to cut this short for now. I *REALLY* need to get some sleep so I'm not a total zombie when we leave!

So for now I'll just leave it at this: God worked miracles in Greece, several people came into a PERSONAL relationship with Him, I grew spiritually and in maturity, and everyone involved in the trip has been touched and blessed in ways that only God can put together...including you, I hope! I thank and praise God for all your prayers and support because, without you, things wouldn't have had half the impact! We could feel all your prayers and love with us, and, in many situtations, it was the only thing holding us together! Satan had (and unfortunatly still has to some degree) a VERY strong hold on Greece, but, through prayer and supplication, God broke a lot of the evil strongholds down and replaced them with His own! Praise God!!!

Before I go, I want to share with you one song that basically became our promise from God that He would rock Greece! It goes like this:

"You said, 'Ask and you will recieve whatever you need!'
You said, 'Pray and I'll hear from Heaven, and I'll heal your land!'

You said Your glory will fill the earth like water the seas
You said, 'Lift up your eyes! The harvest is here, the Kingdom is near!'

You said:
'Ask and I'll give the nations to you!'
Oh Lord, that's the cry of my heart!
Distant shores and the Islands will sing
Of Your love as it rises on earth!"

Thank you again for all your love and prayers! God bless you all, and I'll update more when I get home from Oregon!

A new creation in Him,
<>< Christi <><

Yasas! (Hello!)

Hey everyone!!! It's me again!!!


God has been doing AWESOME things!!! I can't even start to go into all the things He's been working through! One of the big ones though is called friendship evangelism. They say, "Come to Greece, make a friend!" Well, that's what we're doing! If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to ask you all to pray for a few certain people: Anastasia, Thafnie, and Emily (a group of 3 friends that I've been talking to), Katrina (a nice German lady), and I can't remember their names, but there's a good sized group of guys that we've been hanging out with that really, REALLY need to find God in their lives!

The group has been getting a lot closer, and I have been growing a LOT stronger. God has really been challenging me to overcome several of my many weaknesses, and it's very hard. One that He's actually hit me with several times on this trip is my self confidence and just being myself. It's very hard though , because I've been realizing that, for the past 10 years, I've been creating a different "me" based on what and who everyone else wants me to be. So my friends are helping me weed through all of the junk to find the gold hidden inside, and it's really starting to shine. Praise God!!!! :)

I just ask that you all continue praying for me and my team, as well as the beautiful town of Naphlio. As of yet, we have had no negative encounter with the authorities and we've been able to fully complete each program. But also, every night there seems to be growing opposition toward our group among some of the more important adults of the city. Be praying that God would continue to give us favor among the people, and wipe out those few voices that would rather wipe *US* out!

Also, pray that my mom wouldn't be too bummed when she finds out that my love for Naphlio and it's people has equaled, if not almost passed, my love for Germany. Germany will always be close, but I feel God may be calling me (and my family???) back to continue with the work we have already started. These people need God, and, whether they know it or not, they want a personal relationship with Him.

Ok, I have to go now. It's time for our morning worship, and I wouldn't miss it for the world!!! :) God bless you all, I love you, and I'm thinking about and praying for you all too!!! Thank you for your love and support!!!

In Him,

<>< Christi <><

Another Team Update!

> Hey everyone!
>
> Praise the Lord for how He leads us. Last night we
> had another great performance in a town square. Once
> again we scattered Greek New Testaments and tracks
> around. We are scattering seeds everywhere we go.
>
> Today we took a boat to a island fortress that looks
> at Nafpilo. We prayed again for God to move upon the
> city. This afternoon the team went out to meet more
> people and share the Good News with them.
>
> On Thursday night we will be joining a local believers
> service. We think it may be the only one in the city.
> We hope we can encourage the group.
>
> Please continue to pray for divine appointments and
> God's favor as the team ministers. We will have many
> more stories to share when we get home.
>
> In His Grace,
>
> Greece Team

Nafpilo Outreach

Christi called last night, but it was a short call since we got disconnected. She did say that they have MUCH nicer accomodations in Nafpilo and were looking forward to climbing up to the castle today and to ministering to the locals in the evening. They will be in Nafpilo for the next 5 days. Here's an update from the leaders:

August 16th
Greeting from beautiful Nafpilo. We are having an excellent time here meeting people and sharing Jesus with them. God is so Good!Last night we did our first program in the city square. We must of had at least 200 people gather around. We preached and then handed out Greek bibles and tracks. The people took everything we had brought for the night. Then the team played games with the Greek children until 11:00PM. The night time is when everyone is out.
The rest of the week will be prayer for the city in the morning, building friendships in the afternoon and programs in the evening. We believe God is beginning a great work here.
This morning we are going to climb a thousand stairs to the top of a mountain that looks over the city for prayer. There is a large castle there that we will see. We believe God is wanting to break down the defenses that have been here for hundreds of years.
All of the team is healthy and strong. God is truly using the team and blessing them. Please pray for a strong week of ministry and a great finish to our time in Greece. All of the team sends their love. Thanks for your prayers.
Greece Team

Update from the Greece team Leaders

This email was sent Saturday by the Team Leaders . Thanks for keeping the team in your prayers. Randy

> Dear friends and family,
>
> We have had an awesome first week. Sorry for the
> delay in getting a report out to you all. So far we
> have traveled hundreds of miles on the public
> transportation and we have not had any problems.
>
> God has been very good to us despite the 105 heat and
> long days. We are seeing God work in great ways. Last
> night we joined Operation Gideon for the opening
> ceremonies of the Olympic games. On one screen they
> showed the games and on the other they listed prayer
> points for all the nations as they were introduced.
> He is the Lord of all the Nations!
>
> The other night we divided into 2 groups. Part of the
> team played basketball with some students they met on
> the bus on day and the others went to a nearby square
> for ministry. Many great conversations took place and
> the Greeks were really open to us and conversation. (I
> think we may have lost in basketball!)
>
> Tonight we are taking part in a large festival in one
> of the town squares. We take part in a parade and
> then the band Delirious will be playing. We are
> trusting God for a breakthrough in the darkness that
> surrounds the city of Athens.
>
> Tomorrow (Sunday) we go to Nafpilo. We will be
> leaving in the morning and having church and lunch in
> Corinth. Then we will continue to Nafpilo. The team
> is really excited to get there and begin to build
> friendships with the Greeks. Please pray for divine
> appointments for the team as He has already done.
>
> All in all the team is doing really well. I don't
> think we have had enough free time for anyone to miss
> home yet. Please pray for health and strength for the
> team as they survive the heat. We love and miss you
> all!
>
> The Greek Team.

Greece Update (From Christi's Dad!)

Christi called this morning at 1:00AM (11AM Athens time) and we were excited to talk to her for about 20 minutes. It was great to hear the excitement in her voice as she shared some of her experiences from Athens! Since they haven't been near an Internet Cafe lately, she asked me to give you an update.

The first week has included swimming in the Mediterranean, bargaining with the shop keepers to get the best deal (she takes after her Mom), visiting the Acropolis, and having some awesome worship time and prayer with a large group of Ywamer's on Mars Hill where the Apostle Paul preached almost 2000 years ago proclaiming the good news of Jesus to the people of Athens (Acts 17:16-34).

One of her favorite stories that she shared with us was about a small group of them coming back down from Mars Hill and sorta getting lost. Just then a stray dog came up to them and walked ahead seemingly showing them the way. There were a couple of "strange" guys that passed them, slowed down, and were watching them. The dog, being protective, ran over and bit one of the guys on the leg and they left. Then the dog caught up with the group again. They weren't sure which street to take, but the dog went ahead of them down one road, so they followed. It turned out to be the right way to go! Since he "showed them the way", they named him JOHNNY B after John the Baptist. The next day, they saw JOHNNY B on Mars Hill! God works in mysterious ways . . . .

The group has been staying just outside of Athens. In the first week, Christi has learned a new appreciation for washing machines (she gets to wash her clothes by hand) and especially for toilets that work! I'll let her add to that subject :-).

Tomorrow, the group is heading for Corinth and Naphlio where they will focus on their outreach to the local people. Christi has asked prayer for a couple of kids who are sick, for unity within the group and for wisdom for Christi as she is mentoring a few of the younger kids in the group. Also pray for the group as they take a stand for God in Naphlio in the week ahead.

Oh . . . and thank God for JOHNNY B. I know I have!

Randy
(Christi's Dad)

Hello from Greece!

Ok, I only have 7 more minutes, so this is gunna be quick! I also have to email my parents (otherwise I'd be in HUGE trouble!!!).

Things are going great, we've been here for almost two days, and the people are great!!! We're staying in a small christian church just outside of Athens, and the area is beautiful! Today we went to church together and got to worship with the Greek christians (which were not only from Greece, but also from Afganistan, Africa, Quate (sp?), and many other countries! It was awesome, and the spirit of the Lord was soooo strong there, I couldn't help but cry at times it was so overwhelming!!! These people are few and far between (there are less than 100 members in the church, and they come from all over), but their faith is still strong, to say the least!

One little fact about greece...there are 16 christian missionaries currently stationed in Greece from AROUND THE WORLD and several different orginizations, as well as 16 Mormon missionaries, and there are less than 20,000 christian believers within Greece (less than .2%!). The Greek Orthodox church is a lot like the christian church, but it lacks the personal relationship we have with the Father, and most of the churchs practices are based on tradition rather than what the Bible actually says. So that is a pretty strong battle that we are going to fight, seeing as most of the country is Greek Orthodox, and that they also control a lot of Government stuff. So there's a point to be praying about right there (dad, remember the spirit of Religiosity (spelling?)? Talk about "ouch time"!)!!!

Our group has had GREAT bonding time, and we are literally one big family now! The plane 10 hour plane flight helped with that a little bit, but mostly it's just a great group of kids and leaders, and all are fairly outgoing and fun-to-be-with! :)

Also, we have been working on learning a country line dance to do in the streets of Greece, as well as two skits and two seperate puppet songs. They are great conversation starters, and they are a lot of fun to do! Maybe I can try to get someone to vidio the dance with my camera! ;)

Speaking of Camera, I got a really nice new camera before I left, and it is AWESOME!!! I've got a ton of great pictures to show everyone, and the best ones I'll put together in a presentation to show ya'll!

Ok, time to leave for now and go write my parents! I love you all, keep up the prayers (every day it becomes more evedint on how much we;ll need them!), and I'll talk to you guys all again soon I hope! God bless!!!

In Him,
<>< Christi <><