Stories of Faithfulness - Part 1

Forget Not His Faithfulness

Psalm 77:11–12“I will remember the works of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

This morning, I had a meeting where I shared about the work of Creative Hands and the many ways God has allowed us to engage with our community. As I spoke, I was reminded that every testimony we tell is ultimately a testimony of God’s faithfulness. When we share these stories, hope is stirred in the hearts of those listening—the same hope we pray will reach the people we serve, whether through Creative Hands or through our visits to refugee camps.

Remembering—and retelling—God’s faithfulness guards our hearts from forgetfulness.

Later, over lunch with two deaconesses, one of them asked if I was recording these stories. I admitted that although I try, I rarely manage to write everything down. Her question kept echoing in my heart long after the conversation ended, and I sensed the Lord inviting me to begin documenting these stories intentionally—small reflections that could eventually become a collection. Because when challenges arise, especially when resources feel scarce, it is easy to forget how God has carried us.

Scripture often reminds us how easily God’s people forget His works. The book of Judges records this pattern repeatedly.Judges 3:7 describes how the Israelites “forgot the Lord their God,”and Judges 8:34 says they “did not remember the Lord their God, who had delivered them from the hand of their enemies.”The consequence is sobering:Judges 2:10 tells us that a generation arose “who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel.”

Remembering—and retelling—God’s faithfulness guards our hearts from forgetfulness. That is why I want to share these stories with you. Many of you have walked alongside me for years through prayer, encouragement, and financial support. My hope is that, as I write, you too will be inspired to remember God’s faithfulness in your own life and share it with those within your sphere of influence.

Sixteen Years in Greece

It is hard to believe that sixteen years have passed since I first came to Greece in September 2009. My time here has been filled with story after story of God’s provision and grace. In this first post, I will share a brief overview before going deeper into individual stories in the weeks ahead.

When I first arrived in Greece, I came on a three-month visitor visa obtained at the Greek Embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe. When it expired, I returned to Zimbabwe and stayed the required three months before coming back. During that season, I built relationships with several people at the embassy and shared my dilemma about constantly needing to leave and re-enter the country. It was costly but felt necessary.

On my third trip, we explored whether another visa type might allow me to remain in Greece long term. Although no alternative existed, God gave me tremendous favor with the Consular General and the staff. We found a temporary solution: one month before my visa expired, I would send my passport to the embassy, they would issue a new visa, and I would briefly exit the Schengen zone before re-entering. This system worked for nearly two years.

During those seasons, I often traveled to Morocco or Tunisia to visit families and friends. Looking back, I clearly see God’s hand—softening hearts, opening doors, and making a way where one should not have existed. When I hear how difficult it is for others to enter Greece, I am reminded again to praise God for His grace during that time. Eventually, I was also able to apply for a work permit, another testimony of His provision.

Next week, I will begin sharing specific stories from the early days of my journey with Jesus—stories that display His unwavering faithfulness.