Doing Good for All

A Letter from Nadia Ayoub, serving in Greece

Fall 2021

Subscribe to my co-worker letter

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Hillsong

Dear friends and families,

I greet you all with the peace of Jesus Christ, the Lord. I give thanks to God because God is faithful, and God delights to care for us and protect us in all situations and seasons of life. I pray you all are well and enjoying the Fall season and trust that God’s faithfulness is keeping you safe and healthy.

Thank you all for your faithfulness in partnering with me, The Greek Evangelical Church in Katerini, Greece, and the Presbyterian Mission Agency to serve refugees in Greece. Thank you for your prayers, encouragements and financial support.

The last refugee family from the small group that I was in a close relationship with left Greece in June, and I wondered how I would get in touch with other refugees. I praise God that a new group of women came to Perichoresis’ Peace Pastry program when it resumed in June. Sometimes we met inside, but when the weather was good, we met at the park. Because of COVID safety measures, we could not cook together, so instead, we drank coffee and ate some sweets. The women enjoyed talking, expressing their feelings, lifting up their needs and sharing insights on spiritual subjects like prayer. Some described prayer as a command of God, others talked about the ritual of praying at certain times, still others revealed that prayer had a cleansing aspect. They did not realize, however, that prayer is simply a time when we can talk with God, our heavenly Father. And we can come to talk to our Father about all we need anywhere and all times. With this understanding, a new light shone on them.

My role in the Education Center is translating whenever they need me. One day I was translating for a new student, and she said, with a smile on her face, “Now I understand very clear, this is my first time learning something. And with joy, she said, “ I can learn!” And then she said, “I did not go to school back in my country, only boys from my house went to school, but girls were not allowed.” Now she comes to the Education Center to take Greek and English classes. She told me that her two daughters were attending school and were progressing rapidly. One thing we need at the Education Center is a nursery for preschool children up to three years old. Some of these children have to stay with their parents during their classes, while others are so active that we try to babysit them. One of the refugees’ prayer requests is for a daycare center for preschoolers.

I also meet with refugees at the church. Some refugees from Africa and other countries who are interested in learning about Christianity come to the church on Sundays. I keep in touch with them throughout the week. On Sundays, I save seats for them in church, sit next to them, explain what is happening in the worship service and talk about it with them afterward.

It has been six weeks since I submitted my application to extend my Greek residency permit. I was hoping to receive it by now but have not received any news. Please continue to pray that I will receive it so I can go to see my family and friends and have some medical checkups.

As we come to know more about God’s faithfulness, we receive love and mercy from God’s unending love that is new every morning. We receive more than we need for ourselves and are able to share so we can obey God’s word in Galatians 6:10, “So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.”

Thank you so much for your interest in reading about what God is doing among the refugees in Greece. I pray that the Lord will bless you and fill your hearts with gratitude during this season of harvest and thanksgiving.

Serving Christ together with joy!

Nadia

Please read the following letter from Sara P. Lisherness, the interim director of World Mission:

Dear partners in God’s mission,

I don’t know about you, but daily my heart grows heavier. News about the pandemic, wars, wildfires, gun violence, racism, earthquakes and hurricanes cloud my vision. It’s hard to see hope; our world is in a fog. Yet we trust that God’s light and love transcend the brokenness of this time.

God is at work transforming the world, and you, through your prayers, partnership and encouragement, are helping us share this good news. Thank you for your faithful and gracious support of our mission personnel.

How can we see through the fog? What will the church be after the pandemic? Could it be that God is doing “a new thing” and is inviting us to perceive it? Through all the uncertainty we know that God’s steadfast love and care for all creation will prevail and that God’s Spirit is at work in each of us.

We all have an integral part to play in fulfilling God’s mission. As we seek to grow together in faithfulness there are three important steps I invite you to take in supporting our shared commitments to God’s mission:
Give – Consider making a year-end financial contribution for the sending and support of our mission personnel. Your support helps mission personnel accompany global partners as together they share the light of God’s love and justice around the world. Invite your session to include support for mission personnel in its annual budget planning.
Act – Visit The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study to delve deeper into the work God is doing through the PC(USA) and its partners in ministry around the globe: pcusa.org/missionyearbook.
Pray – Include our mission personnel, our global partners, and our common commitments to share God’s grace, love, mercy and justice in your daily prayers.

Thank you for your faithfulness to God’s mission through the Presbyterian Church. It is my prayer that you will continue to support this work with your prayers, partnership, and financial gifts in the coming year. We hope you will join us and our partners in shining a beacon of hope throughout the world.

In the light of hope,

Sara P. Lisherness, Interim Director
World Mission
Presbyterian Mission Agency
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

To give please visit https://bit.ly/PCUSAmission

You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16