Storyline Fall 2018

understanding for both sides of the bond and provision from Canada to these women living in difficult circumstances not
just in the camps but around the world.
While we went to serve the stranded migrants in the camps from Middle Eastern
countries, we were immersed in the Greek culture as well and surprised and
delighted by the hospitality we received. Lesvos has suffered mightily in their
economy in the middle of this refugee crisis. While it was once a thriving tourist
destination, many visitors are avoiding the island in fear that its visitors have
brought uncertain circumstances and unrest that would make it dangerous to
visit. This was not our experience at all. We were so well served and were more
than happy to support the businesses ... restaurants, retail, accommodation,
car rental, and others. All the locals running these businesses were truly beyond
accommodating; kind, giving, friendly, and excellent in customer service. We had
a local store owner put out iced tea and baked goods while we were shopping,
shuttle us back to our apartment, and bring us a homemade breakfast for
twelve the next morning. A restaurant owner pulled us off the street and into his
establishment for a free dessert when we were returning from another restaurant
from an evening meal. Greek hospitality (and the food) were delightful and
heartwarming.
And our dear women … For ten days we served women, persons of concern (POCs – the preferred name for those living in
the camps on Lesvos) mostly from the Muslim culture, from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria primarily. We operated an evening
program out of a small warehouse facility opened up to us by an onsite
Christian NGO across the highway from the smaller camp on the island,
Kara Tepe. When we opened our doors the first night, after months of
preparation and weeks of hard work from our core team on the ground
setting up logistics, we had one woman enter into our program – LinGo
on Lesvos – The English Garden. But an hour later another two women
came in off the street and then another hour later another dozen women
… and every night thereafter 30 or more women, often with their children.
We taught conversational English, we made crafts (watercolour painting,
paper flower gardens, a sewing project, origami) and shared activities
(board games, country line dancing, skits) and we drank tea and ate a meal
together. And we listened to their stories, their heartbreaking, devastating
stories … how they had come to these shores running from circumstances
beyond their control often to an unknown and unspeakably difficult
situation in the camps. Yet most would not have changed their decision
to leave all they knew for the hope of a new freedom.
Our final night of the English Garden was a joyous celebration. We sang,
we laughed, we learned, and we ended with a message about courage
and strength and also to lean on each other in hard times and difficult
situations. Many cultures are suspicious and jealous of each other but
we all stood hand to hand and sang, ‘Lean on Me’ together. We talked
about building a bridge between our world and theirs, one built on the
strength of women and prayers offered for each other as well. Many
of the women expressed that they loved us, felt loved, felt heard, and
enjoyed themselves in a way they hadn’t for a very long time if ever.
This is the love story. Women to women … Middle Eastern, Canadian, American … and in the midst of the Greek
culture so aptly able to accommodate and serve us all.
We held our tears and said our goodbyes with smiles on our faces but our hearts are broken for their situations …
something we feel powerless to solve. But we do trust Him to bring them all to a safe home one day … and that is our
prayer.