Joys and Challenges in Returning to Athens

I’ve had a good first week back in Athens. I’ve gotten good time with my team. It’s not too hot. People are on vacation so things aren’t so busy. I’ve shopped at the outdoor farmer’s market twice. I made it to the beach on Tuesday. My Greek friends and I are exchanging encouraging messages on Facebook and Skype. My living room has been painted and I’m unpacked. Pictures are about to be hung. I’m excited about getting settled.

A number of you have asked about the fires around Athens. We saw lots of smoke, but not flames. Some friends of mine who live north of town were awakened before six in the morning and told to pack up and get out of their house. Fortunately, their house wasn’t burned. We’re east of town and weren’t effected other than smelling smoke and cleaning up ash that settled on our furniture.

We know to expect challenges when moving back into a foreign country. Things cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars more than we think, appliances, phones, and internet don’t work the way we think they will, we can’t get cash fast enough to pay the bills that have accumulated, we’re awake until three in the morning with jet lag. The Lord has been gracious in all of these things in the last week and a half. He’s working them out and I’m grateful.

I’m praying that He continues to make our paths straight and to prepare us and Greek students to reveal Himself to us this school year.

Finishing Up and Heading Back

What a great summer!

It's been so good to get time with family and friends after being overseas. I've loved being in my home state, enjoying the mountains and people I love.

I so enjoyed our summer project in San Diego-- what an honor to see God move among people who are taking steps of great faith! I loved learning more about the Lord together. I loved talking with people about His love and abundant life in Him. I loved seeing Him change lives.

During our project, we got to talk with nearly 11,000 people about Christ and His forgiveness and great love for us. 82 of those people placed their faith in Him. We helped the San Diego campus team with ministry on four campuses and saw incredible results: we're connecting them with 1,500 of our friends, 300-400 of them who want to be part of a group on campus. 20-30 students said they'd like to help lead a group on their campus. A group of those students, along with a faculty member, met to begin their own group at Grossmont College before we left. It was amazing!

In July, my parents and I got to help train our stint (short-term, one-year mission) team leaders who are taking teams to share the good news about Jesus all over the world. I loved hearing their stories of trusting God for more than they can see in their lives, on their teams, and in these countries.

I just visited our briefing for all of our stint teams-- those who are going to the campuses of the world for a year. I met my team of one-year stinters that will be in Athens. I enjoyed them so much and am looking forward to our year together.

In the next couple of weeks I want to share stories of individual lives with you on this blog. I think they will encourage you as they've encouraged me.

I fly to Athens on Thursday. Would you pray with me...

• for good time with family and friends in these last few days here.
• for safe travel.
• for a guy to rent a room in my basement and for a good property manager for my house in Greeley.
• for the Lord to prepare our team for His work this fall. For Him to bear fruit in us and for Him to bear fruit through us to bring His life to students in Athens.

Thank you so much!

Returning to San Diego and a visit in Grand Junction

I'm writing from an airport, excited to touch down again in San Diego. I've heard stories of students growing in their faith. I've heard stories of others trusting Christ through their conversations about Him. I've heard stories of students in San Diego making plans to continue the work our students have begun-- reaching out to others year- round with His life-giving love. I can't wait to see them all in person!

Please pray...
-for our week as we close down the summer project. I'm praying that we'll walk closely to the Lord, enjoy one another, finish our work efficiently, and encourage those we leave in San Diego to continue His work there.

-that He'll prepare us as we return home for the same kind of rich life and ministry we've experienced on summer project.

Next weekend I'll get time with friends in Grand Junction. I'll share about our ministry on Sunday the 9th and will provide lunch for anyone who wants to hear more after the second service. If you're in town, I'd love for you to come!

I'm so grateful for you!

Hello from (sometimes) sunny California!

It’s been such a joy to be back on the San Diego Summer Project! 170 staff and students have gathered to grow in our relationships with the Lord and to reach out to the community in San Diego. We’re off to a good start—taking steps of faith, studying the Word, talking with people on campus and on the beach about the Lord. Some of them have even placed their trust in Him already!

I’m really enjoying our group this year! If you’d like to keep tabs on us, go to http://www.thesdsp.com/?page_id=85 . That link has a picture of me and you can navigate from there to see what God’s doing here.

Our summer project in Athens is going well too. 45 students and staff are making friends, distributing flyers, and holding Bible discussion groups. It’s exciting to have so much help on the ground in Athens!

Thank you for praying for my travel, for our staff situation, and for people to mow my yard. I had a great trip with my sister. We gained four staff women and we only needed three! And I’ve gotten the help I need with my lawn. Thank you!

Things you can pray for …

-Spiritual growth. I’m asking that the Lord will draw us all close to Him and make us more like Himself (2 Corinthians 3:18).

-Jobs for project students. These are ministry locations for us where students learn to minister to those around them in the work place. They also help students to make money to go to school in the fall.

-Rest for our leadership team. We’ve had extra loads this year with the job situation and some issues that have arisen on the project.
Many of us are sick. Please pray for the Lord to give us refreshment and rest.

Thank you! I’m so grateful for you!
Marta

En Route

Hello!
It’s good to be in America! I landed in Denver on Tuesday night, grateful for some time in my home country. In the last couple of days I’ve enjoyed seeing my family, a few friends, my house, and my mountains.
Today my sister and I are driving to San Diego for my summer project. I’m grateful for the help because I’m feeling some jet lag. I’m waking up early both because of the time change and because I have lot on my mind. There are so many details that are pushing me to tangibly trust the Lord. Would you pray for some of them with me?
• Ask the Lord for safety and fun as my sister and I travel… and as our summer project staff travel to San Diego over the next few days.
• Pray for the Lord to provide people to mow and weed my yard this summer.
• Ask Him to provide staff for our project in San Diego—we’ve recently lost some critical players.
• Pray that the Lord will work out the details for us to partner well with churches and groups that serve the community in the San Diego area. I want us to be a blessing that shows Jesus’ love all over the city!
• Pray that the Lord will prepare our staff in Greece and the team of 40 that He’s sending from Texas for the summer project there. Ask the Lord to prepare Greek students too—to soften their hearts toward Him.
Thank you so much! I love that we can rest, knowing that He hears us and is taking care of every care we have!
Love,
Marta
“Jesus, I am resting, resting in the joy of what Thou art. I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart!”

Χριστος Ανεστη!

I wrote an update for you last week, but it became a printed letter because it became so detailed. In it I told about a very encouraging conversation with an influential student leader at the University of Athens named Sakis.

Here are some highlights from the conversation:
Me: “Greek students tell me that they want change in Greek society; what do you think will bring the change that’s needed in Greece?”
Sakis: “ I don’t know. I can’t bring change. I just want to help people. My first year no one helped me and I was lost.”
Me: “Why can’t you bring change? You seem to have influence. You have character. You care about people. Why can’t you be part of bringing change?”
Sakis: ”I have seen people who are a lot better than me try and they failed. They couldn’t do it.”

About Jesus,
Sakis: “We need Jesus. We need Jesus to come here. He would change things.”
Me:”How do you think Jesus would change things?”
Sakis: “He would make things better. We would be better. I would be better. I am a very bad person.”

About the Easter holiday coming up,
Sakis said that he thought that Easter was a good time for personal reflection, even if someone didn’t believe. He said he wasn’t sure if he believed.
Me: “I believe. I believe because Jesus has changed me. He’s given me the change we talked about.”
Sakis: “I want to believe. Resurrection is what we need.”

More details on the conversation in the link to my letter on the right.

I'm so grateful for you!

Staff women's overnight