wrapping up...

The interns have been a shot in the arm to all of us at Nea Zoi. They have blessed us with new energy and enthusiasm about anti-trafficking... not to mention kept us hopping busy. July flew by in a whirl of 3 late-night outreaches per week (I feel like I'm working swing shift!), trips to the Acropolis, ice cream with Victoria from Ghana, a prayer with Eva from Nigeria, excessive bottles of water, a deep sense of mourning as my computer died "dead, dead", and furthered relationships with girls on the streets.

We have been setting up a table on the streets every Sat, Mon and Thurs from 12:00 to 2:00AM with literature and tea.

The hope is that the girls will feel comfortable to sit a while and chat with us...away from the streets and their difficult job.

The first wk the girls weren't sure what to think of the table. They weren't willing to give up the extra minutes on the street....afraid of missing the few customers that drive by. As the wks have passed with our regular visits and insistence that the table is a 'super fun' place of rest and refreshment, they have warmed up to the idea.

Please notice our new friend on the R. He's an overly-friendly night security guard....He recently replaced another guy, "Officer Tight Pants", for the dreadfully boring post of guarding the market and makes the most of every opportunity to chat w us and take a load off in our chairs....doesn't he look relaxed?


Altho I'm used to this scene, I'm still saddened by the girls efforts to get customers. I'm literally always shooting prayers for their TOES as they chase after cars!










The interns have been faithful in pounding the pavement to invite the girls up to the table. They have been brave and persevering despite the many well-meaning people that have stopped us to say, "What are you tourists doing here? This is a dangerous street!"








I continue to feel frustrated by these police officers commissioned to protect the people of Athens. Sometimes 15 bikes will drive down the street at night, 2 to a bike. They just zoom thru with their flashing lights and send the girls running in all directions - shoes flying - tea spilling. But they almost never stop to arrest them. (Where would the girl sit?? Between them??) Feels a bit like a bully - announcing their presence, causing fear and looking cool (although, it'd look cooler if they each had their OWN bike!)





Tonight is the party I mentioned in my last post. We are praying that some girls will show up for food (KFC seems to be popular with Nigerians!?!) and prizes! Please pray for the right girls to come and that God would use the party to show them HOPE, LOVE and His GOOD purposes in their lives.


Here's the Nea Zoi small team... (missing Viorica). Altho we are a small staff, (there are FIVE LESS teammembers than there were when I came in January), we have managed to host the interns and keep our sense of humor!
Good job Team!

the americans have arrived...

This summer we have 9 Americans here for a summer internship (Including my good friend from Seattle, Kelly (in front on the L). She is a friend I first met at Bethany Comm Church in Seattle...it's such a treat to have an old friend here to process with!) This summer crew are from all over the US and bring a variety of backgrounds and related experiences. They are spending three weeks with us for anti-trafficking training and Greek lessons during the day. Then, 3 nights a week we are hitting the streets at midnight to reach out to the Nigerian girls. We hope these extra visits to the streets will further deepen relationships. The goal is to have a small "party" with the girls the last Thurs in July before they leave for work on the streets. It's always helpful to talk with them without the looming pressure of customers, police and street distractions.

I've been buoyed by the intern's enthusiasm and commitment to the cause. They seem to be learning a lot and enjoying their time....and it's encouraging for us to have people visit with fresh eyes and energy. We will be brainstorming about ways they can take this new knowledge back to their home cities and churches. Trafficking is alive and well in the USA, too.

Lest you worry about all our hard work...we are building in fun, team-building activities too! We spent Wednesday at an island near Athens. We rented bikes for the day and rode them to a beach...the refreshing water was just what we needed to hide from the blazing Greek sun! Free travel advice: this country is much more comfortable to visit in the spring and fall!

We would appreciate your prayers to cover this next few weeks. It's a lot of time together and a lot of late nights! So please pray for team unity and energy. Also, there weren't that many great conversations in our first outreach on Thursday ...pray that we'd be able to connect in significant ways with the girls we meet.