Dimitris Boukis reports on how Greek Christians are welcoming refugees

The Evangelical Church of Greece has been involved with refugees since February 2015. We’ve had a guest house and soup kitchen for immigrants since 1994. Two days a week we feed some 5,000 people. Two weeks ago we started visiting hotspots close to our local parishes and connecting with the people running the camps. In Idomeni, we were the first ones who provided free internet for refugees.

Our guesthouses are hosting 100 families. The Evangelical Church of Greece has 5,000 people scattered in 35 parishes all over mainland Greece, so having 100 families is like having another congregation of people. To me, it’s an act of generosity – a very good way to express the love of God. In the faces of these men, women and children we see brothers and sisters created by the same God.

We take care of the families and help them with their papers. We also help in the old Ellinikon airport, Athens, where there are a lot of people. The UN and refugee high commission has awarded a blue dot to our guesthouse in Platia Victorias where women with children will come to rest and get clothes. Mothers can relax and find time for themselves…

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This is an extract from an article published in the July/August 2016 edition of  Reform.

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