New Hope

God seems to be doing something new here in Greece. I read this morning in Acts 12 about God’s word increasing and spreading. It’s exciting to see God do the same thing in Greece today! Greek students are showing unprecedented interest in relationships with us and in conversations about God.

He has filled our summer projects with good things. Greek students at the University of Athens, the Polytechnical University in Athens, and the University of Ioannina have welcomed our summer project students. God is building significant relationships cross-culturally and opening doors for discussions about Himself and the life He gives through Jesus.

This week a Greek girl at the University of Athens approached two students from Texas saying that she heard them speaking about God with one another. She said she felt really lost and asked if they would talk with her about God! The girls had a great conversation about following Jesus and the three of them joined the rest of us for coffee at our office.

Last night we hosted a party for our new friends from the Polytechnical University and the Greek students outnumbered the Americans! We’re so encouraged by our close relationships and the rich conversations about relating with God personally.

Tonight we have two more parties—one at the University of Athens and one at the University of Ioannina. Would you pray that the Lord would lead Greek students to follow Him? Would you pray that those of us who will return for the fall would be able to connect well with interested Greek students tonight and this week?

Thank you so much!

Summer Project!

This week 60 college students from Texas and Kansas arrived for a 6-week summer project. We have been working to prepare them to walk closely with the Lord and reach out with His love on our campuses.

Our summer project teams are working on both the U of A and Poly Tech campuses here in Athens. A third group traveled to a new location in Ioannina to pioneer new work ther. Their main mission is to meet new students and identify those who are desiring to learn more about having a personal relationship with the Lord. They will follow up with those who are interested-- hang out, drink coffee, etc. When our STINT team arrives in the fall they will continue to build relationships with these students. We’ve seen summer groups surface some of our most faithful Greek friends. We can't wait to see what happens this summer through these guys!

If you'd like to participate in the project by praying daily, send me a message at marta.fraser@uscm.org and i'll send you our daily prayer calendar.

"now to him who is able to do immeasurably
more than all we ask or imagine, according
to his power that is at work within us."
[ephesians 3:20]

Assuring us of His love

We've enjoyed some great discussions about God's Word recently!
This week we talked about Jesus' love. We discussed things that keep us from experiencing His love. at one point Xaris said, "Jesus' love is unconditional, right?"
In a conversation with Giannis, we talked about how we're often not thankful for Jesus' sacrifice. I loved our conversation about I John 5 where God tells us that He wants us to know we have eternal life when we believe in Jesus.
We're all growing tremendously as Jesus teaches us about His great, unchanging love for us!

girls' night!

Ten of us gathered Friday for an evening full of food and fun and friendship.
Our friends helped us cook some heavy appetizers-- they were delicious. As we ate, girls submitted discussion questions that we answered.
Here are some of my favorite questions: What has made you most satisfied in life? What is your most embarrassing moment? What would you do if your boyfriend cheated on you?
We had some really great conversations!
After that, we shared dessert and watched a movie. We loved our time together!

We're engaged!

Last weekend Bryan surprised me with a visit and a ring. My friends, Mike and Peggy, and I took a day trip to Hydra. We got off the ferry and walked around the boardwalk of the cove toward the coast. I did a double take when I saw Bryan sitting on a bench and said, “That’s my boy!” I was honored when he got on his knee and asked me to marry him. I love thinking about life with him.

Bryan’s an incredible man. He’s a physician in rural Missouri and he serves with conviction and compassion. I love the way he walks closely with Christ and ministers out of the overflow of God’s grace in his own life. He’s more than I ever imagined that God would give me in a partner for life and ministry. And he’s a lot of fun!

We’re hoping to secure a date in August for a wedding, hopefully in Colorado. Then I’ll move to Missouri. We’re excited about God’s calling for us in the area where Bryan lives and we’re excited to continue to be connected to world missions through my work with Campus Crusade.

You can pray with us that the Lord will continue to make His path straight in everything from wedding details to building the foundation for our marriage. We’re so grateful for your prayers and for your friendship!

Reaching out at Easter

In the week leading up to the Easter holiday break we engaged students on several levels in hopes of helping them understand more about the true meaning of this “holiday” and the significance it has for them personally. The conversations we had were phenomenal all week. Some students were abrasive and others were very interested and desired to talk more about Jesus. We heard many times, “This isn’t something that we talk about openly or at all for that matter. We just celebrate it each year.” I pray that there are many students who are reflecting on Christ in a more personal way now. I pray that through these conversations they are wondering if maybe their view could possibly be inaccurate? Please scroll down to view the different outreaches we executed.

Expressions of Hope

We hosted an “art” party that gave students different ways to express how they felt when they reflected on the sacrifice Christ made on the cross on their behalf and the hope provided through His resurrection. We had close to 20 students come and it was pretty cool seeing their different perspectives.

Giannes "New Start"

We went on both the University of Athens and Polytech campuses and put up a comment board for students to write down their thoughts in response to the statement: “We believe Christ is Risen” What do you think/feel?”. On one of these days our friend Anna went with us and it was awesome to witness as she engaged students in conversations about Jesus. Many students were abrasive while others were intrigued. One thing was for certain, they were discussing Jesus. I was told that conversations like that rarely happen if at all between friends here.

University of Athens: School of Philosophy

Giannes Getting Sign Ready

We ended our week with a showing of the Jesus Film. We had 7 students come and after showing the movie we had a small group discussion about what it looks like to place your faith in Christ. Christ’s death and resurrection are so wrapped up in tradition here that the real meaning has been lost. Students spoke a lot about not having enough ‘faith’ to believe and they don’t deserve his love it they can’t have a deep faith. Each time these students come back they are growing in their understanding and I believe that the Lord is peeling back the veil that has been covering their eyes for so long and replacing their misconceptions with His truths. Please pray that these conversations would be like a pebble in their shoe.

-blog written by Christy Denman, one of my teammates

A Great Month!

I'm so encouraged by the things that have happened in the last month!
At the end of the finals period, the Athens team traveled to northern Greece for a weekend with the Agape group in Thessaloniki. We enjoyed traveling to Philippi and learning about all that God did during Paul's travels to the city. Joining the groups encouraged all of us in our faith and in our hope that the Lord will do mighty things to draw people close to Himself across Greece.
Guff and I went up early and helped the staff and student leaders with some training in leading group discussions that help people to grow in their faith.

This spring is full of visitors! People are coming in to join us nearly every week of the semester. We've loved having them jump right in! The visits from new and old friends have given us great opportunities to talk about faith in new ways. I got my favorite visit for my birthday when my boyfriend, Bryan, came for the week. I loved having him here!
This week part of the Agape Student team from Florence joins us. We're beginning our focus on Easter with surveys about Jesus' life, death and resurrection. On Friday we'll host an art party where students will express their thoughts on the resurrection in creative ways. Next week we'll post signs about the resurrection on campus, offer Bibles and resource books, and show the Jesus film before students leave for the break.

Please pray with us that God will draw us all close to Him. Ask Him to open eyes to see His goodness and open hearts to trust Him for real, abundant life. I want this Easter to be a time where many students enjoy new life in Christ!

valentine's day party

Last Sunday we invited our Greek girlfriends to a party to honor them and our friendship. We weren’t sure that anyone would show up because those who weren’t studying for finals (yes, they go on forever here) were celebrating Karnaval (like Mardi Gras) in Patras. The Lord brought three friends to join us, three girls named Ana.

We had a great time! We played games, decorated cupcakes, and talked about what real love is. Girls shared their ideal love stories (Pride and Prejudice, Twilight) and we talked about how God’s love for us runs far deeper and has far more substance. He loves us securely and sacrificially. He enables us to truly love.

Please pray for Ana, Ana, and Ana to understand and accept God’s love for them.

Please pray for our students to desire spiritual growth as they begin their next semester next week.

between semesters

Hi friends!

After the flurry of activity in December, January is more of a transition time. Students are preparing for their semiannual exams so they’re busy and not able to spend time with us. In the mean time, we’re praying, planning, and preparing for the next semester—spiritually, logistically, relationally.

Would you pray with me…

That Greek students would be drawn to Christ in this time of stress. That God would use us to encourage and help them.

They’re all at different spots. Here are a few situations:

-Giannis told me last week that he’s very concerned about people in Haiti and that he wants to go and help them if he can.

-Yolanda desperately wants to come to Bible study and we’re not starting them again until the middle of February,

-Alex just had his appendix out—in the middle of finals preparation.

-Carolina is distracted by a boyfriend, old patterns, and studying and she’s difficult to connect with.

-Eleni says she’s trying to figure out her purpose in life.

-Likourgos is leaving to study in the Netherlands and Nadia has left to study in France for the semester,

-Ana understands the Gospel but isn’t sure she has the faith to trust in Jesus.

For our team to be refreshed, encouraged, and emboldened to walk with God in faith this spring.

A couple of details about us:

-We’ve added a team member—Christy, who’s my roommate and good friend already and who has GREAT ideas about ministry. Pray for a smooth transition.

-Our four stinters are asking the Lord what He’d like for them to do after their stint. Pray that He will lead them closer to Himself and give them clarity in the process.

Thanks so much for praying!

I’m grateful for you!