Wow! July was full of action, ministry, groups, trips, visitors, and daughters returning home. On July 4, Christi and Gina arrived in Athens to help handle the Greenville Youth Mission team. On July 7, 36 persons arrived in Athens to begin their adventure. From July 12-19, half of the team ministered with our family in the central square near our church and at the sea boardwalk, and half of the team participate in the Love Bulgaria Conference in Bulgaria. The Greenville team left on July 20 with tears and smiles. On July 24, 12 of us visited Erseke, Albania camp where Bishops relief funds used in 1999 for Kosovo refugee aid now are part of a great Bible school and summer camp facility. On July 26, 12 of us visited the great Samokov, BG gypsy church. Now we are enjoying some down time before August.
With the Greenville mission team, we took the message to the streets of Thessaloniki with kids games, soccer/football, free water, cross bearing, but most of all free cold coffee called Frape. It seems like we made 500 free Frapes for passers by along the beautiful sea boardwalk of Thessaloniki. Here are some of the stories. Angeliki visited Sunday morning service two times and brought a friend. Mohammed from Aghanstan came and became friends with Dan, a summer intern. Michalis and Daniel, two Albanians, became friends with Caden and visited the church before saying good bye. Lawerance from Albanian came several nights and was so excited about the group that he pasted Christian flyers with a big smile. Gina is meeting with Maria tonight that she became friends. George and Dimitris from our neighorhood came three nights for frape and conversation. Ardian and Florentina from Erseke exchanged phone numbers with us after talking for an hour. Panigiotis visitied Sunday service. Jordan from another city gave us his phone number and will be talking together soon. Kyriakos visited Sunday service and will have many more cafes with us. There are many more. Friendships are the foundation for salvation and spiritual development. May all these relationships lead to eternity together.
The best is having the whole family together one last summer before the year when mom and dad will be home alone. On August 14 after 12 days in England, Christi and Gina fly back to the US. Mike and Maria fly back to Greece. And Kali stays in Birmingham, UK for a year GAP internship at Renewal Christian Centre. The three long girls have been the best summer assistants with all the ministry load. It is a huge blessing and joy to see your own flesh and blood witnessing their hearts out to strangers on the street. A special thanks to everyone that supported Christi and Gina so that they could come this summer. All three are priceless treasures and the joy of our lives. Please continue to pray for them and us.
