One week ago we were worshipping with a little Christian church in Glasco, Kansas, of which in 1870, my great-great grandfather Mahlon Woodward and his wife Mary Ann were founding members. After lunch at church with people who knew my grandparents and my dad, we accidentally went to a poetry reading that had been advertised as a Smithsonian program on Kansas waterways! I suppose towns of 500 can’t be picky!
Today, one week later, Sherrylee and I worshipped with the Omonia Church of Christ in Athens, Greece! Ten days or so ago, the missionaries in Athens put out a call for immediate help with their English program for refugees. Some very generous donors called us and said that they would sponsor us, if we were able to go, so here we are, getting ready to start tomorrow helping people mostly from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Kurdistan, and Afghanistan improve their English and become better acquainted with Jesus.
Our international flight was via Munich, a new airport, but the same city where in 1971 two pretty clueless young newly-weds landed and began their mission journey together. We are slower than we were then, but wiser, I hope—certainly more experienced. While we have definitely changed, the world has changed also. When we left for Munich in 1971, Christians faced Iron Curtains and Cold Wars and Walls. We could just barely drive to Berlin back then, much less the Arab world. Now Christians can go to a small church building in Athens and work in the Middle East. Look around your neighborhood and tell me the world has not changed and that the nations are not coming!
So we may need to work differently than we did forty-six years ago, but people are still riding around in their chariots and saying, who will help me understand what I’m reading here about Jesus. And God still uses those he has used before–regardless of their job status or age–to serve and teach Searchers.
Sherrylee and I will be in Athens for three weeks, and I hope to post regularly. Pray for us—for health and strength and courage and boldness.
Mark's Blog 
It is inspiring—actually completely uplifting to see what a difference two lives dedicated to sharing Christ can do! You have allowed Him to write you into His story! You both are in my prayers and in my heart!
We are so happy you are there and excited you get to work with the refugees. We found them so eager to learn and get to know you. God bless you both, your work, your contact and look forward to hearing more.
What a wonderful opportunity in Greece. We have been praying for the Mediterranean Rim. May God be praised and the light of Jesus be evident.