Janell King, currently working in Lesvos, shares an update after the EU-Turkey deal has formally come into effect. Under the deal, migrants arriving in Greece are now expected to be sent back to Turkey if they do not apply for asylum or their claim is rejected. EU-Turkey News story
It’s 3 am here and our team is on an overnight shift in Moria. It’s eerily quiet and empty. All NGO’s have pulled out of camp in protest of the detention center decision, thousands of refugees have been loaded up on the ferries and taken to the mainland or back to Turkey, and Moria is in full control by the Greek police and army. The loads of Pakistani men that were still here were arrested, zip tied together, and deported back to Pakistan yesterday.
There are only a few hundred refugees left in camp who have arrived the past few days. There are no NGO’s here giving instruction, providing blankets, baby food, medical care, and whatever else was needed. They’re all gone.
The only thing that is left is our clothing tent and the tea tent. Inside our clothing tent, we aren’t allowed to touch UNHCR donations, so we have no shoes or jackets to give to any new refugees coming in.
Families of refugees were “arrested” tonight and they didn’t even know why because there are no translators here.
My teammate tried to find blankets for families with babies who were told they had to sleep outside in the wind and cold with no tent, only to be ignored and rejected by the police.
It’s disheartening and angering. This isn’t okay. This EU/Turkey agreement isn’t okay. This detention center agreement isn’t okay. The treatment of the refugees seeking asylum isn’t okay. And the lack of provision during this transition to the detention center is far from humane.
My team and I are emotionally, mentally, and physically tired after this weeks turn of events. There are a lot of decisions being made this week regarding our future and what it looks like to continue to love and help the refugees. Please keep praying over us, decisions that need to be made, and the situation here.
I’m tired and have been so sick almost the entire trip but I’m far from feeling defeated. I know that Jesus has a purpose in all of this and he has called us to be the answer. We may not know every piece to the puzzle but I am absolutely sure that he is at work and moving here! We have heard some amazing stories from the refugees of them facing near death experiences in the boats and praying to Jesus for the first time and having supernatural rescue experiences! Come on! He’s in the trenches with them and he cares. We are trusting him with every step of being here and we keep our hearts steady in him!
Keep praying, keep trusting, keep believing. Humanity is worth fighting for.
I am angry with you. I read this and had tears of anger immediately in my eyes. I am praying with you. You are not defeated and you will not be. Praying also for healing and strength to your body. God bless you.
I had the brief opportunity to serve the refugees in Athens recently and my heart is broken for them. Bless you for serving them.
I had the brief opportunity to serve the refugees in Athens recently and my heart is broken for them. Bless you for serving them.
Thanks for sharing this! This is disheartening and I am praying with/for you and your squad regarding this and these beautiful people! May He be glorified!
Reading this brought tears to my eyes and anger in heart. Progress is always interrupted by difficulty. You are so right. None of this is okay. Please know, that we’re praying for change, and He will bring it.
Praying for you all.
Jesus, heal sick bodies, send encouragement, change hearts. For your name sake.