As the Past and Present Collide
In August 2023, Randy and I had the honor of visiting the Dixon Family in Greece. As Christians, it is almost impossible to visit Greece without comparing the modern city and the tourist sites to the Biblical times when Paul was spreading the gospel and growing God’s Kingdom. Along with other tourists, we walked the many ruins of all the temples of the ancient Greeks. The one of most interest to us was not on our map and remained unfound, was the alter to the “Unknown God” however, Mars Hill, home of the Areopagus, was quite visible, easily accessible, and free to any who wanted to climb the worn steps to reach the top. How amazing it was to read one of Paul’s most significant gospel presentations from Acts 17: 16-34 as I sat on the same patch of soil as Paul.
Mars Hill and the passage of how God used Paul was so inspiring to us. But it failed in comparison to how God is currently using the Dixon’s in the exact same place and in the exact same way! Obviously, all the characters and circumstances are different, but God using His people to help grow His Kingdom is the same.
The Dixons are working with refugees from the Middle East, mainly from Iran and Afghanistan. We were able to meet people who arrived in many different ways: Walking over 100 miles, landing on the rocky shores of Greece in inflatable rafts, (And my all time favorite) stowing away in the tank of a semi-truck that was transporting milk (and yes, he nearly drowned and has no desire to ever drink milk again).
As different as their mode of transportation wass the reasons for leaving including: Wanting a better life, leaving an oppressed culture, or fleeing for their very life because it was discovered that they were studying the Bible.
The Dixons are showing the love of the “Unknown God” to Muslims who are flocking to Greece. One has to be blind not to see all that our God is doing through them. To see the excitement in the faces of people who didn’t know God existed, the yearning to learn more about the Scriptures, and the eagerness to share with people both back home and in the refugee camps is indescribable.
Unfortunately, when God is hard at work, Satan is working equally as hard. He has thrown many roadblocks at the Dixons’ work. Greece is processing the refugee’s paperwork faster. Some are only in the country 6-12 months. The language most refugees speak is Farsi. There are not schools in Greece that teach Farsi. One would have to find an individual who is fluent in English, willing to teach Farsi to an American, and able to teach English to Farsi. Many team members are also relocating to other areas (Germany, France, other Western European countries).
In spite of the roadblocks thrown in the way, we know that our God will not be stopped and is more than we can hope or imagine! Through HIM, countless numbers of Bible studies are happening through and because of the Dixons across Europe and there were over 100 baptisms in 2023. I fully believe that our God is alive and working in Greece.
How can we at Broadway help you ask?? PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!!
Pray:
Roadblocks are overcome and that God’s Kingdom continues to grow.
God would remove human doubt, fear, and insecurities to let His power shine through.
Broadway can be a source of comfort and emotional support for the Dixons.