As Is Austria Team 2019
STT Facebook posts for As Is
AS IS Church/Austria STT 2019
We made it safely to the airport with our passports. First flight currently delayed. Thanks everyone for your prayers.
The As Is Go Austria team arrived safely in Vienna without any difficulties. We were privileged to go to the Oasis this evening (remember Austria is 9 hours ahead of Portland). We met staff, volunteers and refugees that enjoy camaraderie on Thursday night Social evenings. Thank you for all your prayers! We have not slept since we left Portland yesterday so goodnight! God Bless you all!
A busy day was had by all beginning with breakfast at our B&B then on to the Oasis via Local transportation! Brad took a great picture of the refugee camp on our way. We then met with Christoph who explained more about the Oasis and projects that we could help with. Next we sat in on a German class for the refugees. At lunch time we walked to a local grocery store where we picked up items to eat.
We then began the day's projects: cleaning emergency refugee shelter, emptying duffle bags of supplies we brought (thanks to all of you for the donations), and beginning the cleanup of an outside area for staff and volunteers to relax! Carol was very helpful throughout the day and shared a ride on public transit with us coming home! We were very satisfied with the accomplishments of the day. We praise God for all he has done for us and the guidance we are receiving from the staff in order to help ease their work burden!
Time to relax and rest! God bless you all! Goodnight from your team in Austria!
Guten Morgen (good morning) As Is church family! May you all enjoy the blessings of God's Day rejoicing and resting in His unfailing love! It is now Sunday here in Austria. We enjoyed a free day yesterday sightseeing in Vienna. What a joy it was to feel the presence of God in the ancient cathedrals of St Stefan and St Peter's as well as enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of this historic city. We begin each day sharing breakfast at our Pension (B&B) while sharing our thoughts and experiences of the previous day followed by devotions! As a picture is worth a thousand words...
Sunday fellowship after church in Baden. Great time of worship and a solid message from the book of James. This church is a loving community of followers who welcome newcomers with open arms. Sound familiar? Love and miss you all
Hallo As Is family We celebrated Sabbath with members of the Oasis in Baden. It was a wonderful time of worship with translation available. After the service there was social time. Then we shared a delicious lunch together at a heuriger (a family vineyard serving food and beverage).
We enjoyed getting to know other members of the Oasis and their families. After a short rest we went sightseeing at Baden.
Two big "surprise" blessings of God since we arrived in Austria on Thursday. Two dear and long-time friends (Steve and Wendy Thomas) I had not seen in 25 years happened to be traveling in the area this past weekend and we were able to spend some quality time together! Also, a man named Laoj (and his fiance Lisa) showed up at The Oasis yesterday asking if anyone who worked there was around in 1987-1988 because he was a refugee from Hungary who had come to Christ at the Oasis and wanted to thank the Oasis staff for the impact they had on his life. He now lives in California, works in the I.T. industry, and does short-term missions trips all over the world. We were able to have coffee together and for him to share his story with me. VERY ENCOURAGING! Loving our time here so far.
Sorry for the delayed post. Technical difficulties. Trying again before I go to bed. The pics below represent our team, Women's Clothing Give-Away Day, worship and fellowship with the Oasis Team, and a Prayer Walk around the refugee housing facility ("camp"). Thanks to everyone for their prayers. More details in days to come.
(NOTE: We are not permitted, for the safety of the refugees, to post any photos of them online. We are taking some pictures which we can show you later in a context that is not online).
Today was a long and full day that included work projects at The Oasis, Women & Kids Ministry, and an evangelistic meeting in the evening. We got home about 10:30 pm.
Work projects included cleaning, staining, painting on the patio of the Oasis; and dismantling a piano (harder than you might think). The women & kids ministry included snacks and tea, crafts and games, and discussion. The meeting in the evening included worship songs in different languages, an evangelistic message, refreshments, conversations and Q & A time. Interested seekers and believers were there from Iran, Nigeria, Kenya, Armenia, Canada, Australia, Austria, and America.
We are not allowed to post online photos of the refugees we meet but we hope to show you those when we get back. Below are a few samples from the day's activities.
ALSO: Would you please pray for the following people (whose names we cannot yet share)? "M" from Nigeria (a believer who has been waiting 5 1/2 years for an answer to his application for asylum, "J" from Kenya who is a believer being deported soon back to Kenya and wanting God's will to be done in his life, "I" a believer from Nigeria who just arrived in Austria last night and whose wife is back in Nigeria. He believes he has a strong case for asylum, having evidence his life is in danger if he returns to his country.
Today's activities of your short-term mission team in Austria included making a meal for a new mom (of twins) on the staff here (Linda and Jean did this), painting a wall, finishing the demolition of the piano, and serving at the Coffee House tonight (which included help with set-up, serving, playing games and having conversations, and/or praying with refugees, and clean-up). We got home at 10:30 PM and are all ready for a good night's sleep.
Some people to PRAY for include: "M", a 12-year-old girl from Afghanistan who was somehow separated from her family along the "refugee highway" and is now alone in Austria
"H", an Afghani refugee from Pakistan who has been in Austria for 8 1/2 years but had his asylum taken away in March. Friday morning he has an interview to see if it will be given back or permanently removed.
Several Iranians who watched "The Jesus Film" in the Farsi language tonight.
Today included Jean and Linda cleaning the house of the new mom (of twins) on The OASIS Staff, the men helping take stuff to the dump and clothing to the center, and then sharing lunch and spending the afternoon walking through the vineyards with a couple of brothers from Kenya and Nigeria, and then Jean and Linda serving at a Women's gathering tonight (attended by about 20 women and two 13-year-olds) at The Oasis. Jean also shared her testimony there.
Today was a DAY OFF and we spent most of it with the Oasis staff having a picnic at a nice big park that used to be one of the summer get-aways of an Austrian Kaiser about 200 years ago (pics below).
PLEASE PRAY for our teammate Jean Ellis whose leg and foot are really bothering her. Most of you know she had them operated on in May and she has had to do a lot of walking while here. She was not able to join us today and spent the day in bed.
Sept 22, 2019
Thanks to everyone who has been praying for Jean's knee and feet. She is doing better today. Today was a day off and we were blessed to attend the church that Dan Lincoln's family are members of. Afterwards, we shared lunch with this special family at one of their favorite Turkish fast food places.
After a brief rest this afternoon, we went to watch a local race between a national cyclist champion and a horse (with buggy jockey). The horse won. :)
Then we ate at a Chinese restaurant in the town where our bed & breakfast (photo is below) is (Pfaffstaten). The food was great and cheap. We'll be back.
We feel rested up for a long day tomorrow, which will mostly consist of setting up the clothing room in the morning and then distributing clothing for several hours in the afternoon and evening to refugee men. Thanks for praying for good conversations and relationship-building to happen while helping to meet practical needs.
Thanks for your continued prayers for the short-term mission team in Austria. Today was mostly getting ready for the Men's Clothing Give-away, cleaning (Jean), doing the clothing give-away, and cleaning up. We served about 50-60 refugee men from many different countries, including Sudan, Gambia, Pakistan, Kurdistan, Iran, Albania, Afghanistan, Kenya, and others.
We still cannot post photos identifying refugees but we will show you in another context after we return to the States.
Please take a good look at the UNHCR poster and read the words at the bottom of the page. This is a poster hanging on the wall of the staff office at The Oasis.
Thanks to all who are praying for us as we represent As Is Church to The Oasis team and to refugees from around the world. In addition to doing some team-building activities with each other today, we helped lead the weekly worship/fellowship time with the Oasis staff. God clearly used Linda and Jean (who provided the food for the fellowship and the songs for worship), Bradley (who shared his testimony), Dick (who shared the devotion), and me (who shared about the early days of the Oasis ministry, and current differences I have observed). The theme of the day was "Remembering" and there seemed to be several who were obviously touched and encouraged, so we thank God for using us.
Thanks to everyone who has been joining us and helping us by praying for us! 2 Corinthians 1:11 "...as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many." (That's YOU)
Dick and Bradley visited the Mauthausen Concentration Camp Memorial today.
Jean and Linda worked at the Women's and Children's Outreach today. Conversation, snacks, crafts, tea and coffee all invested in relationships and bridge-building,
Tonight, all of us were involved in the program that included a fun ice-breaker, worship in different languages, conversations, Dick shared his testimony, Salty shared why it was important for Jesus to be born of a virgin, refreshments, Q & A time, and clean-up. we got home at 10:30 PM.
Tomorrow is our last day before traveling to England to visit Aaron and Diane Lincoln's family and ministry,
Thanks again for all your prayers. Still cannot show photos of refugees' faces but here are some people I have had some meaningful interactions with that I would like you to pray for, if you would. Some know Jesus and some do not but they all need a miracle of some kind from God: Joghou, Ali, Yacoub, Hassan, Ruhullah, Abdul Aziz, Sajad, Omar, Mohammad, Bakir, Achmad, Daniel, Reza, Lela, and Iffy.
Today was our last day in Austria. :( We went to the Rose Park in the morning where Bradley and I played big boy chess. Jean and Linda had an ice cream outing with some refugee moms and their girls. Later, in the afternoon, Linda painted a wall and Dick and Bradley put insulation around some pipes at The Oasis. A sister from Armenia made us a wonderful "goodbye supper" of stuffed grape leaves/bread/salad, and we did Coffee House in the evening.
We still cannot show you pictures of refugees but we will when we return.
Tomorrow we fly to Rugby, England to visit the other missionary family our church supports--the Aaron Lincoln family.
Thanks for standing with us in your prayers!
Our last weekend overseas. We are with Aaron and Diane Lincoln who are serving in Rugby, England (yes, where rugby was invented). They are doing MANY different things that include: Community-Based Outreach, Discipleship, and Leadership Training.
Friday night and Saturday night, we took turns observing their "Street Pastors" ministry as they cared for people on the streets.
Yesterday we spent the day with them at Warwick Castle. Today worshipped at their church and spent time praying together in the afternoon. Tomorrow we get up REAL EARLY to go to the airport and return to the USA. Thanks, everyone, for your prayers and for helping to make this mission possible. Our goals of encouraging the missionaries we support, seeing their ministries firsthand, and blessing the people they serve were all fulfilled.
October 1, 2019
Thanks again to all who prayed for, and/or gave to, our mission trip to Austria and England! We could not have done it without you! We got back yesterday and are fighting jet lag. We hope to share soon with all of you in more detail.
As Is Athens Team 2021
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Athens Prayer Update #1 09/25/2021
Hello friends! I so appreciate your prayers!
We are all doing well. Suffering from jet lag in various stages, but on the move during the day and trying to sleep soundly during the night!
Our day after arrival, we went down to Helping Hands and had a good day. We had a prayer time with a few of the leaders, then a short orientation. We cut up salad and packaged it for distribution. After a team lunch, we all went to our various stations. I helped with kids, Phil and Kristina worked in the kitchen and Scott was at the airport, picking up Rose. Later, Scott and Phil helped to pick up and carry many boxes of clothing. After a ministry day, the ARC (Athens Refugee Center/Helping Hands) gets thoroughly cleaned by all the staff.
My favorite part of the day was "talking" (a lot of gesturing, broken Greek and help from a translator) to R- a mom from Afghanistan with her 4 kids. She's been in Athens for 18 months. It's been very difficult for them, but she had a sweet spirit. I talked with one little girl for quite a while. She was 8 and full of spunk! She's from Afghanistan but was speaking beautiful Greek and English and we had fun playing together and talking about her school experience in Greece. One little girl, Y age 3, looked so sad and wouldn't interact with anyone. I found out that her mother had left for Sweden that week with her baby sister, but left her behind with another family member. I'm sure the mother's hope is to someday send for this little one, but it's beyond her understanding. Another little girl, E, has been tearing her hair out and eating it- her reaction to the trauma that her family has seen on the "refugee highway".
Because of Covid restrictions, Helping Hands is not able to serve food from their facility, but we would let 20 people in at a time. Talk with them, pray with them, play with their kids and just love on them. Then they would gather their pre-prepared hot meals- kabob, french fries, salad- one meal for each person in their family and then they would take it with them. The plan is to let in 5 shifts of 20.
Saturdays and Sundays are days off for the team here. Scott and I did some re-connecting with old friends, and our team mates went to the acropolis, and then we all met up for dinner at our dear friend's home. Today we will take our team mates to Sounio, near Athens.
Tomorrow we all meet up at Helping Hands in the morning. We will take some donated money and go buy socks and underwear to add to the many boxes of donated clothing, then we will have a clothing giveaway at Helping Hands. We hear it's always a long and full day but the families are so appreciative of the practical help, performed in a loving and dignifying manner.
Thanks again for your prayers! We will have a full week of ministry ahead! I wanted to let you know what we've done so far. We are SO GLAD that Rose made it safely and has brought her enthusiasm to our little group!
With love and thanks, Vicki
Athens Prayer Update #2 09/26/2021
We were going to attend the international church we use to belong to when we first moved to Athens, but when we found out that the 5 of us were 1/3 of the congregants allowed in for worship service (COVID restrictions), we decided it would not be the experience we were hoping to share.
Instead we took a 2 hour bus ride to Sounio (the southeastern tip of Greece) to see the temple of Poseidon, eat a Greek meal, swim, enjoy Greek refreshments, take a 2+ hour bus ride back to Athens, eat gyros for supper and buy gelato for Kristina's birthday.
Tomorrow will be clothing give-away at Helping Hands. With clothing they have been collecting here, and generous sock and underwear donations from our church, and through a generous cash donation, we will buy $1000 worth of socks and underwear just before we start making the clothing available, so it should be a practical demonstration of love to help people who mostly arrive in Athens with only the clothing on their backs. Between buying things, setting up, distributing, and cleaning up, that will be our entire work day.
Thank you for praying for:
1. Our team to abide in Christ and walk in the Spirit
2. Deepening Team Unity (today was a good investment in that and Vicki led us in a good devotion about "self-control vs. trying to be in control")
3. Personal connections/relationship-building with refugees
4. Refugees connecting to CHRIST and Clothing on Monday
5. We all did better with jet lag last night and today. Thanks for continuing to pray about that.
Grateful for you all,
Scott and Team
P.S. The Temple of Poseidon was likely the first thing the Apostle Paul saw of Greece, sailing on his way to Athens
Highly confidential prayer request 09/27/2021
Because it is very late (11:30 PM and i have been up since 2:00 AM) I need to make this quick...so I will paste a note I just sent to some relevant people here...
Hi Everyone,
First of all, thank you for your warm welcome to Greece and your loving support today.
It is not perfectly certain what happened to Vicki today but the theory is that she had a small blood clot pass through her brain. In such cases, the likelihood of a stroke to follow is quite high within the first 48 hours. For this reason Dr. Kostas Karalis (a strong believer referred to us by a friend) recommended admitting her tonight and running tests/observing her for the next 48 hours.
She is feeling much better (mentally and physically) but is understandably upset about being in the hospital during our short time of service in Athens.
Thank you for praying for her complete healing, emotional comfort, and that hospital payment would be worked out as it seems there will be a problem working with our U.S. insurance (and travel insurance). I will go in early in the morning to the business office and see what can be worked out.
Thank you all for your loving care and prayer on our behalf.
Much love and gratitude,
Scott
Thanks, prayer team, for getting on this and keeping it off the internet. Vicki's mom does not know yet and we don't want her to find out because someone told someone who told someone...you get it.
Athens Prayer Update #3 09/27/2021
Yesterday (Monday), the Helping Hands ministry gave away clothing to refugees (mostly from Afghanistan). We are not allowed to take pics of refugees unless we personally know them and get their permission. I was able to get a couple without showing their faces (which is permissible).
Before we opened, the team leader Tasha was telling us that one time she met a refugee woman who had been married 6 months and was living on the streets of Athens during the cold and rainy season, with an angry abusive husband. She did not have any other clothing than what she was wearing and had no clean underwear. She was ready to kill herself and had planned how to do it, but for some reason prayed, "God, if you could just give me some hope by giving me some underwear..." The next day, she went to Helping Hands and received FIVE pairs of NEW underwear, and decided not to kill herself!
Tasha was reminding us that what seems like such a small thing to some of us might actually be a matter of life and death for someone else, so we can do these small acts of kindness with great love and see lives saved and changed.
Per COVID instructions, we could only let small groups of people in a time so it was not like "the old days" when we used to just open the doors and let people go for it. It was quite, dignified, helpful, and even happy. Two kids cried when it was time for them to leave, and everyone was so grateful. I was also proud of our team for their loving and positive attitudes and actions.
After cleaning up and debriefing and praying, our team went to have a Greek supper on a rooftop restaurant with a view of the Parthenon and Mars Hill.
Then I took Vicki to the hospital. She is getting tests today. We hope to know more later.
I was supposed to attend a "Greek citizenship oath ceremony" of a Pakistani refugee friend of mine but due to issues related to Vicki's hospitalization could not attend or celebrate with him afterward. I will try to take him out for a celebratory meal before we leave. You can read a little of his story here:
https://refminathens.blogspot.com/2011/04/dr-joseph.html
Grateful for your prayers,
Scott
Athens Prayer Update #4 09/30/2021Hi Prayer Team!
Today we went to Helping Hands and were part of a planning meeting for an outreach we are going to do at a city park next week. There will be various stations to visit for the refugee families who will be invited. The theme is "Miracles of Jesus" and each station will be a different story of a miracle Jesus performed that changed someone's life, along with a game or activity for the children to play. At the end station, one of the Persian believers will share his testimony. I will tell you more about it next week but for now I will let you know that the station I will be at will be about the healing of the blind man, and I will be leading the children in a game of "Pin the Eyes on the Blind Man" (my idea).
Also, Phil and I went out and bought some of the supplies that will be needed for my station and for his.
The girls on our team were involved in a meeting about women and children's outreach, and then after lunch they made cloth table coasters with the refugee women to sell and raise money for the Helping Hands ministry. Our guests received grocery cards for participating (because Helping Hands is not able to legally "employ" them by giving them money).
If you read my facebook post today, you already know I posted this:
With a stroke of the pen, one of our extremely generous supporters just covered our entire hospital bill. We are grateful to God, to them, and to all of you for your generous love, encouragement, and offers of assistance.
Vicki is doing very well, serving the refugee women and children at Helping Hands today.
Of course, we are grateful for this provision of God through His people. Thank you again for your prayers on our behalf. You are instruments God is using to accomplish His purposes on earth.
Grateful,
Scott
Athens Prayer Update #5 10/04/2021
Dear Prayer Team,
After a weekend off that included meeting with a Swiss friend from a church we were part of here, meeting with old and new missionaries in Greece at Mission Connect (a once or twice a year gathering of missionaries that usually includes worship, food and a message, with lots of time for fellowship; since they haven't met since before COVID, we all just ate good food and had good fellowship), meeting/eating with a dear Pakistani brother, having meals with old friends/co-workers in a couple of different homes, and having fun together with our team.
EVERY. THING. HERE. TAKES. LONGER. So yesterday and today included more preparation for our park outreach on Thursday (which for me has meant running around to multiple stores--without a car) to find the supplies we need. Still didn't get everything but I am closer.
This afternoon, Phil and I did a 2 hour train/taxi/walk trip (each way) to attend a men's beach outing. We had fun playing around, swimming, getting to know each other, eating good souvlaki, one of the staff shared a devotion and Phil shared his testimony with the believers and Muslims who were there. They were interested and asked follow-up questions afterward.
Thanks for praying for unity for our team. It is happening. It has been happening for over a year and a half but we are going deeper and loving each other more.
Tomorrow is men's Bible study in the morning and men's outreach in the afternoon. In the evening, my Pakistani friend will join us for supper and share his story with the team.
Thanks so much for your prayers on our behalf. I am honored to have you on my team.
Grateful,
Scott
Athens Prayer Update #6 10/05/2021
Dear Prayer Team,
This morning I attended a Bible study for men. In the afternoon, we had a program for men at Helping Hands. They could play chess or ping-pong, have conversations, we had a class in Farsi on culture shock and adaptation, they could take clothing, take showers, and take food. I would like you to pray for two guys named Faizolah and Fatah. They both are Muslims who are considering the claims of Jesus. They are open to asking questions and learning more but not yet ready to follow Jesus. Fatah is so close he has a cross tattooed on his arm because the Gospel message of forgiveness is so powerful to him. An American with a cross tattoo means very little. A Muslim from Iran with such a visible and controversial sign is seriously seeking.
This evening, our team had dinner at a Greek restaurant and a long-time Pakistani friend (Dr. Joseph) joined us and shared his testimony with us. It was a moving time for all of us. I think I mentioned him in a previous update when I missed his swearing-in citizenship ceremony last week and then met with him for lunch on Sunday. Again, here is a link to part of his story if you are interested:
https://refminathens.blogspot.com/2011/04/dr-joseph.html
Tomorrow (Thursday afternoon here) is an important outreach we have been working on and praying about. We will be sharing about the different miracles of Jesus at a large park. We will have 5 or 6 stations and at each one will be a story from the Gospels about Jesus doing a miracle that changed lives. There will also be an activity for children to do that is somehow related to the miracle story. At the last station will be an Iranian refugee telling his story of how Jesus changed his life. Phil has been working on a painting that depicts the resurrection tomb in the center of the canvas and the other 4 miracles around it. I will include a photo of that tomorrow.
Thank you for praying for this outreach on Thursday.
Thanks for praying for our last two days here to be days in which we can bring glory to God by allowing Him to use us however He wants to.
Thanks for praying that whatever He wants us to learn and experience of His heart for the world will deepen and continue when we return to the States.
THANK YOU!
Grateful for you,
Scott
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Praying for the Rockwood/Athens Team and the Helping Hands Refugee Ministry
“This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations. And then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14
Scott McCracken is leading a team representing 5 different churches in Rockwood to serve alongside the missionaries at Helping Hands, a refugee ministry, in Athens, Greece. Here you will find a daily itinerary with specific prayer needs for each day they are gone. Your partnership through prayer is essential. Please consider traveling with the team vicariously as you pray for them each day. To learn more about the Helping Hands Ministry you can find them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/111979962203204
or visit their website at:
“When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself…” Leviticus 19:33-34
07/20-21…Pray for safe travels and as the team departs for Athens, Greece, that they will make all flight connections, get through airport security without issue, and arrive with all luggage and gear. Pray the team stays healthy and safe from Covid.
Pray they are alert to any “divine appointments” on the way.
07/22… Family Day @ Athens Refugee Center (ARC)
10:30am - 5:00pm. Prayer meeting from 10:30am-11:30am. Meal preparation from 11:30am. At 1:30pm, refugee guests arrive and receive fruit. Pete will hopefully lead worship during this time. At 2pm we close the doors and serve the meal. At 2:30pm the doors open again and guests can choose to leave or stay for the program. The program involves an evangelistic gospel message for adults, a nursery for babies and a kids room with a Sunday School style program.
Pray for relational connections, the sharing of testimonies by short-term team, and for eyes/ears/hearts to be opened by the Holy Spirit.
07/23-24…Days off. Pray for rest, getting over jet lag, unity and relationship-building, and alertness to “divine appointments”. On the 24th we will all have dinner with our Albanian/American friends who work in a ministry to Persians called One Heart.
Pray for a mutually encouraging experience that brings glory to God.
07/25…Clothing Give-away. Clothing giveaways: arranging clothing racks and tables of used clothing, handing out plastic bags, serving tea, replenishing clothing if needed. We will invite around 200 people.
Pray that we will treat the refugees with dignity and honor, and that we will make personal connections through this practical demonstration of love, remembering that if we have done this to “the least of these”, we have done it to Jesus.
We will have dinner with our Greek friends who are leaders in the AMG ministries in Greece.
https://amginternational.org/project/AMG_Ministries_in_GreecePray for a mutually encouraging experience that brings glory to God.
07/26… Skills Project (at the other Helping Hands building). 10:30am - 12:30pm This is a ladies class, learning hand stitching which we hope will provide opportunities for income and employment in the future.. Measuring and cutting materials, cutting out felt shapes, preparing and serving tea.
Men will likely be working on wooden pallet seating in ARC.
Pray the refugees will know God’s love as we express it in these practical ways.
Beach trip with refugee families
07/27… Women’s Day @ ARC 10:00am - 4:30pm During this time we offer crafts, jigsaw puzzles and children's activities. After 12pm we have a short exercise time, a testimony time for a short-term team member, a lesson (usually a Bible lesson but this summer we are looking at some Christian-based material on trauma and resilience). Around 1pm we serve a meal. Some ladies leave after the meal, some stay to drink tea and chat. At 2:30pm the rest of the ladies leave and we clean up.
Scott, Pete, and Jacob volunteer @ another ministry doing refugee relief
Please pray that relational connections will happen, that the refugees will sense God’s love flowing through us, that they will hear His voice and sense His healing touch in their souls.
07/28…Men’s Day @ ARC 9:30am - 5:00pm Free time for ping-pong, games, etc in the morning, and a meal is served around 12pm. There will be time for a short-term team member to share his testimony before the meal. After the meal is a Bible study, then clean up once the men leave.
Alicia and Norma volunteer @ another ministry doing refugee relief
Pray for relational connections, that testimonies will be used by God to point men to Jesus, and that refugees will sense God’s love through the caring outreach of His people.
Persian Night @ ARC 7:00 PM This will be a special night for the blessing of the short-term team where Persian food will be
cooked and served by Persian refugees and one or two of them will share their testimonies as well.
07/29… Family Day @ ARC 10:30am - 5:00pm Prayer meeting from 10:30am-11:30am. Meal preparation from 11:30am. At 1:30pm, refugee guests arrive and receive fruit. Pete will hopefully lead worship during this time. At 2pm we close the doors and serve the meal. At 2:30pm the doors open again and guests can choose to leave or stay for the program. The program involves an evangelistic gospel message for adults, a nursery for babies and a kids room with a Sunday School style program.
Pray for relational connections, the sharing of testimonies by short-term team, and for eyes/ears/hearts to be opened by the Holy Spirit.
07/30-31…Days Off. Scott turns 60 on the 30th! Pray his old age doesn’t prevent him from keeping up with his younger teammates!
08/01… Team Meeting & Cleaning Day @ ARC
10am - 4pm
We will have dinner with an Albanian friend who came to Jesus back when Scott & Vicki lived in Athens. Pray for a mutually encouraging experience that brings glory to God.
08/02… Skills Project…10:30am to 12:30pm This is a ladies class, learning hand stitching which we hope will provide opportunities for income and employment in the future.. Measuring and cutting materials, cutting out felt shapes, preparing and serving tea.
Pray the refugees will know God’s love as we express it in these practical ways.
Park Outreach (late afternoon/early evening). This will be an opportunity to share the Gospel in creative ways in an outdoor setting, at various “stations” scattered throughout a large park in central Athens.
We will have dinner with an Iranian/Dutch couple who started a medical ministry (called One Heart) to Persian refugees. Our Iranian friend met Jesus in Athens when the McCrackens worked there. Our friends also planted and continue to lead a Farsi-speaking church. Pray for a mutually encouraging experience that brings glory to God.
08/03… Women’s Day @ ARC 10:00am - 4:30pm During this time we offer crafts, jigsaw puzzles and children's activities. After 12pm we have a short exercise time, a testimony time for a short-term team member, a lesson (usually a Bible lesson but this summer we are looking at some Christian-based material on trauma and resilience). Around 1pm we serve a meal. Some ladies leave after the meal, some stay to drink tea and chat. At 2:30pm the rest of the ladies leave and we clean up.
The men will volunteer at the other ministry doing refugee relief
Please pray that relational connections will happen, that the refugees will sense God’s love flowing through us, that they will hear His voice and sense His healing touch in their souls.
Evening Meal at Greek restaurant (Helping Hands staff and Rockwood team)
08/04… Men’s Day @ ARC 9:30am - 5:00pm Free time for ping-pong, games, etc in the morning, and a meal is served around 12pm. There will be time for a short-term team member to share his testimony before the meal. After the meal is a Bible study, then clean up once the men leave.
Alicia and Norma volunteer @ another ministry doing refugee relief
Pray for relational connections, that testimonies will be used by God to point men to Jesus, and that refugees will sense God’s love through the caring oureach of His people.
08/05… Family Day @ ARC 10:30am - 5:00pm Prayer meeting from 10:30am-11:30am. Meal preparation from 11:30am. At 1:30pm, refugee guests arrive and receive fruit. Pete will hopefully lead worship during this time. At 2pm we close the doors and serve the meal. At 2:30pm the doors open again and guests can choose to leave or stay for the program. The program involves an evangelistic gospel message for adults, a nusery for babies and a kids room with a Sunday School style program.
Pray for relational connections, the sharing of testimonies by short-term team, and for eyes/ears/hearts to be opened by the Holy Spirit.
08/06…Departure from Athens back to Portland. Pray for safe travels and as the team returns home, that they will make all flight connections, get through airport security without issue, and arrive with all luggage and gear. Pray the team stays healthy. Pray they are alert to any “divine appointments” on the way.
Thank you for standing with us in prayer. Thank you for praying as the Spirit leads you. Thank you for noting these ministry opportunities and suggestions for prayer.
2 Corinthians 1:11… as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
Prayers for Athens Team #2 7/23/2022
Thanks for your prayers on our behalf today. Our internet connection is spotty here so I cannot always get these out in as timely a manner as I would wish. Thank for praying when you get them and when you don't.
PLEASE DO NOT POST THIS INFORMATION OR SHARE THESE PHOTOS ANYWHERE ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR THE INTERNET.
Today (Friday) was a good day at Helping Hands. We went to an orientation meeting, helping prepare the food and set up the room for the meal that would be served later (chicken, rice, salad and bread). Then we had devotional and prayer time, along with assignments for the day. Since I like to be so "me-centered", I will tell you what I did today. I handed out fruit to people as they entered the dining room, and then I sat down and talked and ate with some of the refugee men from Iran and Afghanistan. After the meal, some people left and some people stayed to listen to the evangelistic message (today shared by a Northern Ireland Bible school student doing a placement at Helping Hands). I didn't count but it looked to be about 25-30 people intently listening to the message about love that sacrifices (using the story of Abraham and his son). I helped clean tables and washed so many dishes and spoons and forks. After cleaning up, we all shared stories of how we saw God show up and had a time of prayer, thanking God for what He had done and praying for those He blessed us to meet. Needless to say, several of the guests had given good and encouraging remarks about the day and the message. There were about 120 present. Relationships were started or continued.
I am so ENCOURAGED to not only see how the ministry that was officially started in 1992 continues to survive but also to THRIVE and do better in so many ways.
Pete sang worship songs and played guitar for about 30 minutes as people were coming in tonight, sat and talked/ate with the refugee guests, and helped in the kitchen. Norma, Alicia, and Jacob all sat/ate with our guests and then helped in the kids room during the program for the adults. There were many positive comments given in feedback by the refugees who stayed for the evangelistic meeting.
For the protection and security of the refugees, there are very limiting photo restrictions so we are not able to show group shots or faces in groups. Attached are a few photos I was able to take of us today.
Afterward, I was able to eat gyros and salad at the home of our close in-laws and friends Themis and Donna Sirinides with them and 2 of my kids and their families, and our dear Pakistani brother Dr. Jospeh, and Olga's sister Maria. it was a wonderful time and they surprised me at the end with a Happy Birthday song (my birthday is next week but they won't be in Athens then) and my favorite Greek dessert--Galaktombouriko. Then I took the train back to where we are staying where I learned the water is not working for some reason and the shower I have been longing for all day will not be possible tonight. It is now a quarter past midnight and I am making all kinds of mistakes that I have to keep correcting--almost every word.
Tomorrow and Sunday are days off. We are all struggling with jet lag to some degree or another. Thank you for praying for us to get over it. Thank you for praying for refugees today who heard the Word of God, and that the seeds plated would grow and produce fruit.
Love you and thank you for praying,
Scott
Prayers for Athens Team #3 07/26/2022
PLEASE DO NOT POST THESE PHOTOS OR THIS INFORMATION ANYWHERE ON THE INTERNET. WE ARE LIMITED IN THE PHOTOS WE CAN TAKE OF REFUGEES BECAUSE IT CAN PUT THEIR LIVES IN DANGER. I WILL BE REMOVING THIS POST IN A CLOSED GROUP SHORTLY.
I apologize for the spotty reporting. We have had horrible consistency with the internet. Additionally, we have been running hard from early morning to late at night. The only time I have to do it is very late at night, and then I am making lots of mistakes and having problems with internet connections. Hopefully, I can finish this update and get it sent before the internet goes out.
Thank you for praying for us!
This past Saturday and Sunday were our weekly days off. Pete went to visit his relatives in Sparta. I spent most of the time with my visiting kids (Kendra and her family, Kyle and Olga) and in-laws (I also got to see Dr. Joseph on Friday night as he joined in the family reunion)!!! Alicia, Norma, and Jacob went to Corinth. Some of us went to hear my son Kyle preach in our previous Greek church (yes, in Greek). And Sunday evening, we all (except Pete) shared a meal at a Greek taverna with our former colleagues and dear friends Kate and Ilir Cami, and their son Matthew. It was a wonderful weekend from start to finish.
Monday was clothing give-away day at Helping Hands. This involved a lot of carrying boxes, sorting, organizing, folding, hanging, mingling, talking, sorting, organizing, putting back in boxes and on racks, and more carrying boxes, sweeping and mopping.
During clothing day I had the chance to have an important conversation with a man I will call "B". I met him last Friday and learned a bit more of his story today. He was born in Iran, and when he was in college, he was complaining to others in his classes about the price of gas in Iran. After a couple of days, some government police showed up and took him to jail where he spent the next 3 years. After he was released he was blacklisted from attending college or getting a job anywhere, so he left Iran. He has spent the last NINETEEN years looking for a country that will accept him. He has lived in a handful of countries, learned a handful of languages and is one of the most energetic, positive and funny people I have ever met. But we all know that "even in laughter the heart may be in sorrow, and the end of joy may be grief" (Proverbs 14:13). I am told by one of the staff here that he comes regularly to the programs here and "pesters" them (in a positive sense) with all kinds of questions about Jesus and the Bible. Thank you for praying for my further conversations with "B" and for his eyes to be opened, his mind to be enlightened, and his heart to be softened by the Holy Spirit. (BTW, if any of you watch the Apple TV series "Tehran"--which is filmed in Athens--Tehran is in some of the episodes as an extra or playing small bits. I have not seen it myself).
After Clothing Day, I had time for a last coffee with my son Kyle before he left for northern Greece. I am so thankful for the time I got to be with my children and grandchildren, when I only get to see them about once a year. If I had not seen them in Athens I would not have seen them this year. It was too short but very sweet.
After coffee with Kyle, our team went to have dinner at a Greek restaurant with some dear friends of ours--Fotis and Mary Romeos and George Romeos (George's wife Marcy is in the States). The families of these two brothers have done so much to build up and challenge and encourage the Church in Greece, and to advance the Kingdom of God in Greece and beyond. George was also one of the first board members on the first board of Helping Hands when we started it decades ago. It was a super encouraging evening, with great testimonies and reports of God at work in the world!
This morning, after prayer and devotions (which we have together as a team every morning or evening), the men on our team when to help with some projects at Helping Hands, and the women went to the other building HH owns to help with the women's skills development day. Afterwards, around 1:00 PM we all met downtown, and along with about 30 other refugees and interns and staff, had a beach outing for the afternoon. I was happy to learn today that one of the men from Afghanistan we met last year (let's call him "F") had been a new arrival in Athens with his family at the time, with lots of questions and little belief about Jesus, but today is a growing (though quiet) follower of the Messiah! He and has family plan to leave Greece soon and try to settle in another European country. Thank you for praying for "F"'s continued spiritual growth.
After the beach, we took the tram, bus, and metro directly to meet Anne and her son Michael for supper at a Persian restaurant. It was a joyous reunion and Anne shared her story that included meeting Jesus in Athens, an abusive husband who finally abandoned her, and living for many years as a single working mom of four children in a country where the language and culture were so different than the life she knew in Kenya. Michael (38 years old) opened his heart to honestly and vulnerably share about ways he has been living that he needs to repent of and renounce, and ways in which he needs to start living out Matthew 6:33. We had a great time of prayer, tasty food, and a loving, joyful time in Jesus. Thank you for praying for Michael as he starts anew in Jesus. Also, we may start meeting on a regular basis via the internet for continuing discipleship. Thanks for praying about that.
I have attached some photos for your viewing pleasure. Thanks for your continued prayers for us! I love and appreciate each of you!
Grateful,
Scott
Athens Prayer Report #4 07/30/2022
PLEASE DO NOT POST THESE PHOTOS OR THIS INFORMATION ANYWHERE ON THE INTERNET. WE ARE LIMITED IN THE PHOTOS WE CAN TAKE OF REFUGEES BECAUSE IT CAN PUT THEIR LIVES IN DANGER.
Dear Praying Friends,
I am so grateful to know that in the spiritual battles we face each day, that we have each other's backs. Thank you for standing with us in Athens!
Friday: After some time in the morning for group devotions and prayer we set off for downtown where we did some shopping for needed food stuff for Family Day. Then we all spent time with the staff and interns praying together for the day to come. The rest of the morning was spent doing food prep and kitchen work, group devotions and more prayer, and job assignments.
I worked in the kitchen during the morning cutting onions and washing dishes.
Pete played his guitar and sang worship songs as our guests began arriving. We handed out fruit and warmly welcomed each new arrival, interacting a bit more with those we had already met and have been getting to know.
After a bit, the main meal (salad, Persian chicken, flat bread and rice) was served, and we all sat down and ate together and engaged each other in the best conversation we could do without a fluent common language and few interpreters. Even when we cannot get into detailed or deep conversation we can help people feel loved and welcomed by our expressions, our body language, and our efforts to see them and hear them. I never heard a final number of guests but it was similar to last week (about 120). This is not a program with an open public invitation. These guests (on Fridays) have been given personal invitations. Relationships are being developed. More is being done for fewer, going deeper together.
After the meal, people were invited to stay for the (evangelistic) program. A good percentage stayed and I worked in the kids room. There is a baby room and a kids room where the children are kept and cared for while the adults who decided to stay for the program can listen uninterrupted. A Bible story, craft and games are part of the usual plan for the kids who were in the room where I stood guard at the door to make sure none of them "escaped" to "bother" their parents. I sure admire people who invest in kids. It's certainly not "my thing".
Hossein was our guest speaker for the program today. He is the one who (with his wife) shared their testimonies with us the night before (at Persian Night). I heard later that he srongly challenged the people to stop living like slaves to the old ways. Now that they live in a free country, they can take advantage of this to investigate the claims of Jesus for themselves, to read the New Testament without fear of jail or persecution, to make their own decisions regardless of what others around them decide. When he was finished, he invited those who were interested to learn more about why Jesus is more than a prophet to stay and discuss it with him and his wife. Several stayed (I think around 10), and they had a very good conversation with great questions from the seekers.
Afterward, we cleaned up and debriefed to share how we saw God show up, and then we prayed some more for our guests (and any other prayer requests).
As a side note, we had MANY volunteers show up to help on Friday. Besides the staff (Americans, Irish, Iranian and Afghan), there were Germans, Dutch, and more Persians and Americans. One of the groups of volunteers was a family who had just done a cruise and were returning to America the following day. They come from one of our supporting churches (Rose Drive Friends Church). The patriarch of the family (Mark Murray) had been on a short-term team to Helping Hands from their church about 20 years ago. I don't think I have seen hi since then. He was telling me they recently moved from CA to CO and were looking for a new church home. One of the first questions he asks a church they are considering joining is, "What percentage of the church's income goes to missions?". What a great question! If they don't know, or it is a tiny amount, he tells them, "Well, I know you have some good things going on here but we are looking for a church that knows how to get outside of itself and fulfill the Great Commission." Great thinking and a great prayer point for all of us to be praying for each of our churches!
After we finished, we returned to the place where we are staying, and had a wonderful Greek meal with our hosts Jim and Kallie Skaife. We had great fellowship, sharing with each other what God has been doing for us, in us, and through us, and how fortunate we are to be invited to join Him in reaching the nations with the Gospel! But by 9:30 some of us were having a hard time keeping our eyes open. :)
Athens Prayer Report #5 08/02/2022
I had a great weekend! Thanks to everyone who prayed and who sent birthday greetings!
Saturdays and Sundays are days off here. Saturday, we slept in. Pete left the afternoon before to spend the weekend in Germany with an old friend (a foreign exchange student who lived with his family in the states for a year when Pete was in high school). Alicia, Norma, Jacob, and I drove down to Sounio, the southeastern-most tip of Greece's mainland where the temple of Poseidon sits atop a cliff over a very scenic view of the sea. It was likely the first sight the apostle Paul saw of Greece when he sailed this way (unless of course he was sleeping or it was too dark on a moonless night). We looked, took pics, ate good food, and even swam a bit in the sea. After we came home and showered, we went to eat Greek gyros and gelato. Then we watched together the first two episodes of "Go Back to Where You Came From" (https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Go-Back-to-Where-You-Came-From/0IGME2BY0O2ZX1HDCWLJE9TMHH). Almost a perfect day. The only thing missing was my wife!
Sunday, I visited St. Andrew's International Church (https://www.standrewsgreece.com/index.html) which meets in downtown Athens at noon in an old German church building. This is the church that originally invited our organization to send missionaries to Athens, and the church we were members of the first 5 years and the last 2 years of the 23 years we lived in Greece. I only know a few people who are still there from the old days, and only a few of them were there this Sunday. With no fans and no AC, and 93 degrees outside, I was dripping with sweat the whole time.
Afterward, I went out to lunch with a friend and had more gyros and gelato, then went to see our friends/colleagues/in-laws and my daughter's family one more time before they left Greece for their home in Scotland this morning.
After an hour and a half back to where we are staying, we watched the third and final episode of season 1 of Go Back to Where You Came From.
This morning, we joined in for part of the staff meeting (which included worship and prayer), and then we worked until about 3:30 doing deep cleaning projects at the Helping Hands primary ministry building. Also, word got out to the HH staff that my birthday was this weekend and someone went out and bought FOUR cakes for us all to celebrate!!
Tonight we shared a meal with our long-term Albanian friend and sister in Christ Laura Menga. She shared her story of growing up in Atheistic communist Albania, of immigrating to Greece, and of finding Jesus through the witness of her brother Gregor. She grew in the Lord for a while but then at some point started trying to live life in her own strength. Eventually, because of some difficult things related to her son's health she renewed her relationship with Jesus and started fellowshipping with other believers again. She radiates the joy of Jesus and talks of the song that is continually in her heart because of Him.
Thank you for remembering us in prayer.
Athens Prayer Update #6 08/03/2022
Yesterday, after the team men were helping with some work projects at Helping Hands in the morning and early afternoon, and the women were helping with the Women's Skills Projects, we all had a nice Greek lunch together and then I met for a while with the currently Team Leader of the Helping Hands staff.
In the evening we went to a park where many Aghanis and Iranians hang out. Pete played his guitar passionately and persistently, Norma and Alicia played with the children, and Jacob and I talked to some men. Others on the team also had conversations, did face and arm painting and bubble-making with the kids.
I want to give you a brief summary of a conversation I had with a man we will call "Dr. M". I guess he is in his 50"s and is originally from Afghanistan. However, he lived in the States for 10 years and got his law degree in WA state and his medical degree from OHSU in Portland! In fact, his parents live about 40 blocks from our house! While never requesting U.S. citizenship, he was a legal resident with a green card and he has many years experience working as a gynecologist with international charities and NGO's (some of them faith-based). He returned to Afghanistan to stay with some relatives for a time but shortly after arriving, the Taliban arrived at his relatives' house looking for him and demanding to know where is that infidel who preaches the Christian Gospel (though he is not a follower of Jesus, he had in his possession some calendars, books, and literature that had been given to him by some of the non-profits he had worked for. Also, he has been an outspoken candidate for women's rights and these things had enraged the Taliban against him. His aunt and cousin were beaten to death by the Taliban's brutal interrogation and the uncle disappeared (presumed dead). Dr. M was warned by a neighbor who witnessed all of this and fled with only the clothing on his back. A friend helped pay for his passage to Turkey and eventually to Greece a year ago, where he has been stuck ever since. He allowed me to pray for him in the name of Jesus and we MIGHT be meeting together on Thursday. Please pray for his situation to be resolved, for our conversation on Thursday, and for his salvation.
Alicia's eyes are better. Thanks for praying for her.
I will write more tomorrow about what happened today but want to get this out while I still have internet connection.
Thanks for praying!
Grateful,
Scott
Our interchurch team from Rockwood had a GREAT experience serving the refugees and the Helping Hands staff in Athens! Here are some comments from team members:
“Uniting from different branches of the same tree, to get to the root that produces fruit"
--Jacob Small
"Athens 2022 was a life-changing and transformative trip that deepened my understanding of the global nature of God's Kingdom and His work amongst Muslim Refugees today" --Pastor Pete Armstrong
“(This experience) is an open invitation to see God’s hand at work amongst the Church and the nations like you have not experienced it before. He WILL surprise you!”
--Alicia Gonzalez
“There are many learning opportunities with inter church mission teams. I saw and felt the power of God’s love in bringing us all together to fulfill the great commission. My personal experience on the team was life changing. It was like being on two mission trips simultaneously. A mission in reconciling the world to God through Christ and reconciling church people to one another. I loved my team and I learned so much from everyone.” --Norma Tello
"I ate a lot of great food." --Scott McCracken
We served the Helping Hands staff, met and loved on (and were loved back by) refugees, heard great testimonies (and shared our own), preached, met with co-laborers who shared very encouraging stories of God at work, shared meals with dear friends who came to Christ many years ago in Athens and heard their stories (some pics below), were able to bless people and the HH ministry financially, saw some of my kids and grandkids, saw for the first time my son Kyle preach in Greek (in person), ate lots of great food, and had an overall fantastic time!
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THOSE WHO INVESTED TO HELP MAKE THIS UNIFYING SERVING EXPERIENCE POSSIBLE!
Praying for the Short-Term Mission Team and the Oasis Refugee Ministry in Austria
“This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations. And then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14
Scott McCracken is leading a small team to serve alongside the missionaries at The Oasis, a refugee ministry, in Austria. Here you will find a daily itinerary with specific prayer needs for each day they are gone. Your partnership through prayer is essential. Please consider traveling with the team vicariously as you pray for them each day. To learn more about The Oasis visit their website at: https://www.oasis-iteams.at/english/
Team Mission: To serve the long-term missionaries in whatever way is needed.
“When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself…” Leviticus 19:33-34
9/14 – 9/16 – Travel from Portland to Vienna
Pray for safe travels and as the team departs for Austria, that they will make all flight connections, get through airport security without issue, and arrive with all luggage and gear. Pray the team stays healthy and safe from Covid.
Pray they are alert to any “divine appointments” on the way, especially during an all-day lay over in Chicago on the 15th.
9/17 – Project - Literature Room Inventory
Pray for team unity as they battle jetlag and exhaustion from travel, that they will be physically and mentally alert for their first assignment.
9/18 – Church in Modling – Afternoon and Evening Off
Thank God for this day of worship and pray that the team’s hearts and minds are opened by the Holy Spirit in preparation for the week to come. Pray for good rest for the team as they overcome jetlag.
9/19 – Orientation Part 1 / Project Clean
Pray for the team as they learn what to expect and what they will be doing during their time at the Oasis. Pray that God will use the team in a powerful way to be an encouragement to the long-term missionaries and to advance His Kingdom.
9/20 - Team Worship – Testimony Sharing / Orientation Part 2 / Prayer Walk
Pray for unity and relationship building between the short-term team and long-term missionaries. Pray that God will use the sharing of testimonies for His glory.
9/21 – German Class for Refugees /Women & Kids Time / Wednesday Night Evangelistic Meeting
Pray the team is able to make meaningful connections with the refugees, even with the language barriers. Pray that the refugees will see God’s love through the actions of the team in everything they do this day.
Pray for the refugees attending the Wednesday night meeting, that they will hear His voice and decide to follow Him.
9/22 – Kids Time / Oasis Coffee House
Pray that the refugees will sense God’s love flowing through the team, that they will hear His voice and sense His healing touch in their souls.
Pray that many seeds are planted at the Coffee House time, and that the refugees’ hearts are touched by the Holy Spirit and filled with the desire to follow Jesus.
9/23 – 9/25 – Oasis Retreat – This will be a time of teaching, worship, prayer and team building for the Oasis Missionaries. Scott will be teaching, Rose will be leading worship, and Phil and Kristina will be taking care of the missionary’s kids.
Pray that the retreat is refreshing for the Oasis Missionaries. The past 6 months has been very intense for them. Pray that God uses this time and the short-term team to encourage and uplift the missionaries. Pray for learning and rejuvenation. Pray that God will use this time for their benefit and His glory.
9/26 – Clothing Sorting Day
Pray that God will use the team and their work for His glory and to advance His Kingdom. Pray for unity as the work together to complete the job.
9/27 – Team Worship / Finish Project Clothing Room
Pray that the team is able to serve the missionaries in meaningful ways that will be a blessing to them and bring glory to God. Pray that they are aware of God’s presence and how He is moving, and they remember that their work is for His Kingdom.
9/28 – German Class for Refugees / Women & Kids Time / Wednesday Night Evangelistic Meeting
Pray that God will use the team to make meaningful connections with the refugees. Pray the refugees will feel the love of Jesus in all their interactions and will desire to have a relationship with Him.
9/29 – Kids Time / Oasis Coffee House
Pray that the refugees will sense God’s love flowing through the team, that they will hear His voice and sense His healing touch in their souls. Pray for Phil as he connects with refugees, that they will see God’s love through him.
Pray that many seeds are planted at the Coffee House time, and that the refugees’ hearts are touched by the Holy Spirit and filled with the desire to follow Jesus.
9/30 – Debrief
Pray that the debrief is mutually beneficial for the Oasis missionaries and the short-term team. Pray for the team as they prepare for their journey home.
10/1 – Travel Home
Pray for safe travels from Vienna to Portland, that they will make all flight connections, get thought airport security without issue, and arrive with all of their luggage and gear.
Pray for the team is alert to “divine appointments’” during their travels.
Thank you for standing with us in prayer. Thank you for praying as the Spirit leads you. Thank you for noting these ministry opportunities and suggestions for prayer.
2 Corinthians 1:11… as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
Austria STT 2022 UPDATES
Austria Prayer Update #1 09/16/2022
Hi everyone! Thanks for praying for us. Very smoothe (but long) trip. We arrived in Vienna about 9 AM (Austria time--9 hours ahead of Portland). Spent the day trying to stay awake and getting oriented to the area around The Oasis ministry center and the neighborhood where we are staying at a Guesthouse.
Here is something that came up at the last minute that is not on the Prayer Guide...on this Sunday morning my teammate will each share their testimonies, and I will share a short message from the Word, at the Polish Church in Vienna. This church was started about 32 years ago by some new believers (teenagers) from Poland who met Jesus at The Oasis. Some of them are still there! We will be enjoying some homemade Polish food and sweet fellowship (and catching up) after church.
I will send more info in a day or two.
Thanks for praying!
Grateful for you,
Scott
Austria Prayer Update #2 09/17/2022Hi Prayer Team,
Today we went with some of The Oasis staff members to eat a light lunch at a special community garden called Garden of Encounters. This community garden is unique because it was started 6 years ago by local Austrians and refugees who had come from abroad, as a way of building relationships between the two "groups". The plot of land was given by the city to be used for this purpose, and it is right next to the main refugee-processing center in Austria. Attached are some photos of the food we ate, including falafel, assorted peppers, tomatoes, cheese, olives, cucumber, carrots, arabic bread, a bean salad/soup combo, hummus dip, eggplant dip, and other dips. We were given a tour and history by a refugee from Afghanistan and had a conversation with a local Austrian volunteer. It is a place of fostering dignity between cultures, where hard work and exchanging honest viewpoints with freedom and respect happens. Although it was cold and windy today, they had a nice fire going that you could sit or stand beside and get warmed up quickly.
If you want to see their website in German, you can visit at: gartnerbegegnung.com Or you can read things in English and see video and pics on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/gartenderbegegnung
Afterward, we walked over to The Oasis and spent time helping inventory thousands of Bibles, tracts, and booklets in over 30 languages.
Early tomorrow (Sunday) morning we will go by train (over an hour) to the Polish Church in Vienna to share from the Word and share some of our testimonies. After lunch with the church, we will do some exploring around Vienna before the hour + trip back to our guesthouse.
In Austria, some shops and businesses are closed on Saturdays and some are opened for a half day. On Sundays, most things (except restaurants and tourist attractions) are closed for the day, so it is a day of worship and/or rest for many in the country (including The Oasis staff).
Thanks for praying that we will share in the power of the Spirit with the Polish Church tomorrow morning.
Grateful for you!
Austria Prayer Update #3 09/18/2022
Dear Prayer Partners,
Thank you for your continued prayers on our behalf. Pretty much the whole day was spent traveling to and from, worshipping together at, sharing in, fellowshipping with, and having lunch with believers from the Evangelical Polish Church in Vienna. What an encouraging day it was!
As I mentioned previously, when we worked at the Oasis during 1987-1990 we met some young Polish men who all came to Jesus and were discipled by members of our team about the same time. They took up the challenge to form a Polish fellowship, which later evolved into the first (and only) Evangelical Polish Church in Vienna, still going over 30 years later.
It was a joyful reunion to see my brothers who were in their late teens when I last saw them and now they have their own children (most of whom are also following Jesus and leading ministries in their churches in Austria and beyond). They also even have grandchildren now! Very surreal experience which began with a slide show of old pictures from our times together in the late '80's and then they led us in worship songs they had learned as new believers (they sang in Polish and we sang in English) and we shared communion together. Phil, Kristina, and Rose each shared their powerful testimonies and then I talked for a few minutes about the possible connection between the Gaderene Demoniac in Mark 5 and the feeding of the 4000 in Mark 8. Afterward, we had fellowship over refreshments and then Tommy, the lead elder, and his son Michael took us out to eat at a Polish restaurant (where we enjoyed excellent food and more encouraging fellowship).
It is impossible for me to express what an encouraging and emotional and special gift this time was together with my dear brothers and sisters from Poland! From the many comments we received, it seems the feeling was mutual.
By then it was too late, and the weather was too bad, to do the touring we had hoped to do in VIenna so we returned to our guesthouse, and after a short rest time of reading and emailing, we went to the next city over (Baden) for supper. This is the city where Vicki and I lived in our first real home as a married couple, when our first child was born, and where deep friendships were forged, so it is very nostalgic for me to re-visit.
Grateful for you,
Scott
Austria Prayer Update #4 09/20/2022
Hi Prayer Team,
Monday was basically spent doing boring--but NECESSARY--work related to some major clothing distribution that The Oasis team will do AFTER we leave. After we carried, sorted, transported and hung hundreds of clothing items (or more) we did some cleaning of the building for the rest of the afternoon. As Phil shared during devotions today when he was talking about "awareness" or "mindfulness", it is important to think about the bigger picture and the "why" of what you are doing when working at things like this. Knowing that hundreds of refugees in need of clothing who would be blessed in this way (that also blesses Jesus--Matthew 25:40) filled me with joy during work that bores me.
Today, we joined the staff for their weekly fellowship time. Rose did a great job leading worship, the missionaries shared stories of where they have been seeing God at work, and Phil Delisle did a great job sharing his testimony. In the afternoon, there was a continuation of orientation (they don't do all of orientation on one day because it is too much info for people in jet lag to take in at once), and then we did a "prayer walk" for about an hour and a half throughout The Oasis ministry building. It was a very emotional and meaningful time for me.
Tomorrow will be a full day with attending German class at 9:00 AM, passing out invitations on the streets to the Wednesday night program, Kids Klub in the afternoon, and the Wed night evangelistic program in the evening (getting done about 10 PM). Thanks for your prayers regarding these things on Wed.
Grateful for you all,
Scott
Austria Prayer Update #5 Sept 22, 2022 Many thanks to my great prayer team who continues to engage with us in the spiritual warfare that surrounds the efforts to bring the Gospel to people in darkness!
I am writing this Thursday morning, Austrian time (we are 9 hours ahead of Oregon time). Yesterday was a long but good day, starting with German class at 9 AM and lasting over 2 hours (with a short break in the middle for coffee and snacks). The teacher is an AMAZING local Austrian believer who has been faithfully doing this for 9 years! She even remembered me and my name from a one-time meeting of each other 3 years ago. I wish I had a memory like that.
Let's see now...what was I talking about?
Oh yeah, I also did my laundry at The Oasis yesterday--washing and hanging on the drying rack, folding and taking back to our accommodations.
Phil and I went out on the streets of Traiskirchen (where The Oasis is) to hand out invitations to the weekly programs at The Oasis. We "talked" (in very limited interactions) with people from India, Pakistan, Kurdistan, Syria, Iran, Afghanistan and several different African countries. I "helped" a Kurdish man from Syria find a pharmacy. I say "helped" because what should have been a 4-minute walk turned out to be about 30 minutes because my GPS kept taking us the wrong way. I finally asked an Austrian woman who told us the right way to go. The longer walk might have ordinarily provided a great opportunity for further conversation but the only words he knew in English were, "My friend" and "Sorry", and the only word I knew in his language was "Goodbye". :)
In the evening, there was a good-sized group at the weekly outreach meeting. The room was almost full with mostly Muslim men. The formal meeting began with a welcome and announcements about the regular Oasis programs. Then some YouTube videos of worship songs in some of the represented languages were shown. One of the visiting volunteers from America (John, who with his wife Marie, regularly visit The Oasis to volunteer their time in their retirement years) shared a message about the teaching of Jesus on prayer. A time of Q and A followed with LOTS of (typical) questions Muslim ask about Christian beliefs. It ended with coffee/tea/snacks and conversations.
Somalians are some of the hardest people in the world to reach with the Gospel. Last night we had over a half dozen Somalians present and 3 of them took the ONLY Somalian New Testaments the Oasis had! I was able to have a good conversation with one Somalian man (and somewhat with his 2 friends). When I asked "A" if he had any photos of his children, he first showed me a picture about 3 years old of him holding his beautiful 3-year old daughter. Then he said, "But she is dead." I replied with something like, "Oh, I am so sorry to hear that! What happened, was she sick?" "No, not sick," he said. "With all the violence in our city, bullets came through the walls of our house and killed her." Please pray for "A" and the others who heard the Gospel last night. God gave "A" and I good rapport and he promised me he would come back tonight for the "Open House" (no formal program, just sitting around at tables drinking coffee/tea, playing games, having conversation, etc.).
(Interestingly, I received an encouraging email today from a friend who coaches teams in difficult locations about how God is on the move in Somalia and a story about a Somalian who came to Jesus and then led another one to Jesus almost right away.)
A few pics are attached. Sorry I forgot to attach the clothing room photos on Monday. As a reminder, we are very limited in taking photos of the refugees at all, and then they can only be certain kinds and we cannot sent out electronically pictures that include refugee faces (that is why some are blocked out) unless we have their specific permission. This is for their safety and for helping them feel safe at The Oasis. The picture of Rose is because of the (temporary) henna tattoo that one of the women painted on her at the women's outreach.
Austria Prayer Update #6 09/22/2022
As we were discussing in our team devotions, God's idea/plan/DNA from the beginning has been all about TEAM and Teamwork. Nobody ever has done anything of worth or lasting value completely alone. God Himself is a 3-in-1 Team. We would not even be here now if it weren't for all the teams who came before us and the teams who stand with us now (prayer teams, financial support teams, encouragers, investors, disciplers, etc.). THANK YOU for being an indispensable part of our team's very foundation!
I did not learn until today that 5 refugee men watched a version of the Jesus film last night with our teammate Phil. The original film from the Gospel of Luke is 2 hours long. This version is called "Magdalena: Released From Shame" and is a 1-hour edited version of the same film told from Mary Magdalene's point of view. All of the men were from India. Thank you for praying that the seeds planted will grab root, grow, and bear fruit.
This afternoon I met a 15-year-old kid, originally from Afghanistan but moved with his family to India when he was 5, but their application for asylum there was rejected after 9 years of living there. They returned to Afghanistan shortly before the Taliban took over and then fled to Pakistan. This 15 year old kid "J" embarked on the refugee journey BY HIMSELF. He is VERY intelligent, humble, a learner and a perseverer. He came to the Coffee House at The Oasis tonight and we had a very good conversation. I will try to meet with him one-on-one at least once or twice before we leave. I suspect he is not far from the Kingdom.
"A" (from Somalia) did not come back tonight which was disappointing but I hope and pray I get to see him again.
Tomorrow at 8 AM I will meet with the cooks for the staff retreat and we will go shopping together. God provided the funds for us to help pay for the weekend's meals! We will all leave for the retreat about 11:30 AM. I will be teaching six sessions on "Developing A Listening Heart: Preparing Your Heart to Hear God When He Speaks", Rose will be leading worship, Phil and Kristina will be ministering to the kids. Thank you for your prayers regarding this retreat, one of the ways through which we came to serve the team here. We will be done Sunday after lunch.
Grateful for you,
Scott
Austria Prayer Update #7 09/25/2022
Dear Prayer Team,
Thanks for your continued prayers on our behalf.
The weekend staff retreat went well. Phil and Kristina handled children's ministry and did a great job. Rose helped lead worship and (as usual) helped take us before the Throne! I led the teaching time on Developing A Listening Heart. I attached the notes in case you are interested in glancing at it. There was good feedback from the staff, expressing much appreciation for how we served them. Although we lost the cook on our team shortly before leaving for Austria, a couple from Montenegro that now live in Germany (and are part of a church one of the German staffers comes from) cooked for us and did a fantastic job stuffing us full of good food all weekend.
Monday will be all about sorting more clothing for the big distribution event they are going to have after we leave. Some time this week we will also go to a store and buy lots of men's and women's underwear with money that was invested in this trip.
Monday evening, Phil and I are planning to have supper at an Indian restaurant with "J", the 15-year-old refugee I mentioned previously. Please pray for a Spirit-led conversation and for him to start considering Jesus as more than a prophet.
Thank you again for standing with us in prayer!
Grateful for you,
Scott McCracken
Austria Prayer Update #8 09/28/2022
Only a few more days left of serving at The Oasis, which brings mixed emotions since we are all looking forward to getting home to be with friends, family and the familiar, but at the same time people and things here are just starting to become familiar and we are a bit sad that the adventure is about to come to a close.
Phil and I did have supper with "J" on Monday evening. It was a great time to get to know him better, eat good Indian food, and offer him a New Testament. He is maybe the most mature-thinking 15-year-old I have ever met, while at the same time being a fairly strong Muslim. He was not VERY interested in talking about spiritual issues, but he was very polite, expressed a sincere interest in learning about new things because it can only help him grow as a person, and allowed me to share a summary of the Gospel with him.
He did not want to take the NT I brought for him because he said he had no place at the camp to keep it, BUT Phil did a good job of sharing some of his sory that really connected with "J", and I showed him how to download a Bible app on his phone (and where to start), which he promised he would do.
Some "experts" on evangelizing Muslims say it often takes an average Muslim hearing the Gospel about a hundred times before its meaning actually starts to sink in. We have seen this happen much quicker in some cases but the point is that it is the Spirit's job to bring conviction and lead people to Truth. So thank you for continuing to pray for "J".
Tuesday, Rose led the Oasis staff worship time, and then Kristina and Rose shared their testimonies which was a very blessed Jesus-honoring time. Afterwards, we were given an unexpected AFTERNOON OFF (because we had worked so hard and accomplished more-than-expected the day before), so we decided to go visit Vienna for the afternoon. In addition to seeing some amazing buildings, we got to have supper with "John and Cindy", who were refugees from an Asian country and met Jesus at The Oasis back in 1987. They have been involved in church and missions work in highly sensitive areas of the world so I am not able to share details, real names or photos, BUT we had a wonderful time of catching up, sharing testimonies, and glorifying the Lord by recounting the great things He has done (and is doing) in our lives!
Today will be filled with German class at The Oasis, handing out invitations on the street, Kids Klub, and an evangelistic program in the evening. I will be formally sharing this evening from Isaiah 53, and then there will be time afterward for coffee/tea and conversation, so appreciate your prayers about that as well.
Grateful for you,
Scott
Austria Prayer Update #9 09/29/2022
Hi Prayer Team,
It is 11:00 PM and we have had a full day. This will be my last prayer update before we leave early Saturday morning.
Yesterday afternoon was the women's outreach and yesterday evening (Wednesday) was the evangelistic meeting and both went well. There were not as many people in attendance at the evening meeting as the week before but the Lord helped me as we looked at Isaiah 53 and talked about Jesus as more than a prophet, as also the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world". There were good questions during the message and in discussion afterwards.
Today included a debrief meeting with an Oasis staff member who gave us good positive feedback about our time here serving them. Phil worked on finishing a painting he is leaving here for the Oasis. The women worked at a Kids Klub. Tonight was our last ministry activity. Together we served at the Coffee House. We had a good crowd of refugees throughout the evening, coming to drink tea/coffee, play games, have conversations and relax. Some Arabic-speakers watched the Jesus film in another room. An Egyptian believer who helps The Oasis evangelize Arabic-speakers was able to share with several tonight. Many took literature in their own languages.
I was able to chat for a while with some men from Iran. One of them has lived in Austria for 20 years, speaks perfect German, and has a great job as an architect. He told me it was his second time at The Oasis. I asked him why he came there. He told me he wants to "change his religion". We had a long conversation (during which I discovered someone else from the staff had already started meeting with him--twice--but was not there tonight), and to make a long story short he prayed to accept Jesus tonight! Thank you for continuing to pray for "M" to grow in his new relationship with God through Jesus.
Tomorrow (Friday) is a day off for us and we will spend it hanging out together around Vienna, eating our last schnitzel, playing a card game (Nertz) together, and packing. Early Saturday morning we will head to the airport for our flight to Newark, NJ and after a 5 1/2 hour layover land in Portland, Lord willing, around 11:00 PM.
Thank you again for joining with us through your prayers on this Austrian adventure. I greatly appreciate you! PLEASE DO NOT POST ONLINE OR FORWARD ANY OF THE REFUGEE PHOTOS I AM INCLUDING WITH THIS EMAIL. THANK YOU.
Grateful,
Scott