For the last couple of weeks of the race, my team Waka Waka, spent our last bit of ministry in Greece doing something called ATL which means Ask the Lord. Basically, what this looks like is being sent to a country and asked to pray into what to do there. So, we left Romania to spend a couple of days in Athens, Greece to pray into the month and what the Lord wanted us to do. Instead of being placed with a specific ministry partner, our teams were asked to pray into where we felt the Lord was calling us to serve for the month and to trust where he leads us. So we spent some time praying, worshipping, reading scripture and just listening to what the Lord was putting on our hearts.
A few consistent things we were hearing was by the sea, be simple, love each other, love other people, and visions of lots of stairs. I also felt like the Lord wanted us to take what we’ve been learning over this year of ministry and take the time to pour into one another as well as the people we meet. He kept saying don’t over complicate it. Just live your life and love people well. So with that, we reached out to several Air bnbs, told them what we were doing and who we were, prayed, and waited on responses. After 3 days in Athens of contacting different people, one lady with an airbnb in Naxos, Greece responded with a price that was over $100 under budget! We prayed about it some more and heard back from a few other places, but something about Naxos seemed right. Not having a clue why we were going here or what we would be doing, we said yes to the Lord and booked our ferry.
Once we arrived to the island, we took two buses to a small village in the mountains called Koronos, a beautiful little village in the mountains that also over looks the sea. We immediately begin to receive sooo many confirmations from the Lord that we had heard him correctly. First being a village that overlooks the sea in the distance and second, so many stairs. The entire village was pretty much stairs on the side of the mountain.
On walking to our house the first day, we meet a woman who runs one of the four restaurants in the village. She immediately welcomes us, although she speaks only a few words of English, and invites us to sit down for cake. We had just arrived and needed a grocery store for dinner that night. She calls the lady that runs the local shop to open up the store so that we can go get food. From there we meet the town doctor who happens to speak English. Dana, who is a nurse, has been waiting for an opportunity to help in a clinic the whole race and an opportunity had never come up until of course now, our last month of ministry. We also met and become friends rather quickly with a lady and her husband who run the village cafe. Every interaction felt like one confirmation after another.
After every encounter with the locals from the village, we knew we were in the right place and were so excited to see how God would move and show us what ministry would look like during the 2 weeks there. The majority of our time there was focused on relationships. Relationship building with the locals and with each other on our team. This was an incredible time to just bring encouragement to others by loving people. At first, it was hard to get used to because it seemed like we didn’t have a “set task” or “job” to get done. We had somewhat of a schedule, but we were also very flexible as to where the day would take us. God taught us a lot about what it looks like to not have to be task oriented and be people oriented.
Because of this, we were able to make connections with lots of people which led us to lots of different random ministry and encouragement opportunities. We ended up painting a lot. We painted lots of rocks to put out around the village to bring joy and smiles to those who lived there and the tourists that sometimes come through. I also ended up becoming close to the lady that ran the local tavern, Tavern Matina and Stavros, and painted her lots of signs for her restaurant. We were able to make friends with the local farmers, and one of them took us to his farm to show us how he milks goats. After we milked goats, he showed us how to make goat cheese that they sell at the restaurant, and he let us help. Addie ended up volunteering at the local school to help with their music class, and Dana was able to help at the local doctor’s office. Anna Stewart also bought a puzzle and cards, and we would just go down to the taverns and cafe to hang out and meet the locals and tourists to just get to know people and their stories. We were able to meet so many cool people who we were able to encourage, but who were also able to encourage us as well.
Honestly, this has been one of the most simple months of the race, and possible my favorite. So simple, it almost didn’t even feel real. It was really incredible to see how God worked when we were able to just sit back and listen to where he was leading and what he was calling us to do. Ministry doesn’t have to be complicated. Life is ministry. Ministry is life. It really is just loving God and loving others.
These are some pictures from our time in Koronos, Naxos, Greece! This place will always hold a special place in my heart, and I’m very thankful for the time we were able to spend there and the people we were able to meet.
Just some random pictures of spending time with our team! Love them so much!
Our time at the farm milking goats, then making the cheese at the restaurant.
We hiked a little bit and visited near by Greek Orthodox churches and a beach one day.
Some of our art creations from the month! Lots of rocks and signs for Matina’s restaurant.
Different kinds of food and coffee from the couple of weeks. Hands down the best food of the race was in Greece. Lots of Greek salad, calamari, octopus, fries, spaghetti & shrimp, zucchini balls, and of course Matina‘s famous cake!
Meeting different locals in the village. Sometimes that looked like chatting with them, playing basketball together, coloring with the kids at the school, or playing guitar and singing at the local restaurants.
Wonderful experience! I’m so happy for you. Sometimes you just have to listen to God.
You are truly a blessing to so many! God has blessed each and every step you made! Will be so glad to see you! God bless!
Oh that beautiful smile. God has really been good to you and your team but we are all so ready for you to come home to us! Take care and stay safe. We are also counting down the days.
What a variety of situations you have experienced on this journey, and you have found a way to be God’s hands and feet in each place. He has prepared you to continue to minister to others wherever you land when you return to the States. Praying for safe travels as you head home! Can hardly wait to see you.
We have loved watching your journey & are so excited that you will be home soon, taking that next step with God will be interesting to see ??
So beautiful! I continue to be so amazed by you and your team. So proud of you, Caroline!
I love all the photos! you guys are SO CUTE. I love that you had the sweetest time on this little island and I love that you got the gift of sweet simplicity! SEE YOU SOON
I loved seeing samples of the rocks you painted – They definitely brought a smile to my face! I love how fruitful this ATL month was for you and how it helped you grow in trusting the leading of God!