Each Global Engagement trip focuses on different kinds of ministry, and some of them, such as the Greece trip, deal with heavier topics such as human trafficking, red light districts, and immigration. These trips present students with emotional and spiritual challenges, but Farah Arian ’28, a political science and honors humanities double major with a prelaw minor, saw the challenges as affirmation that she is on the path God has called her to.
Arian had thought that her opportunity to sign up for a Global Engagement trip had passed, but the Greece team needed one more member. She was worried about being able to finance her trip, but through inspirational chapel speakers and a conversation with one of the co-leaders, she decided to sign up knowing that the Lord would provide.
The trip consisted of three main ministry groups. Greece’s population is 98 percent Orthodox, 1 percent Islam, and 1 percent Evangelical, so the team helped an Evangelical church set up a summer camp for children that acted as a safe space for them. However, the bulk of the trip was spent working with refugees. At the Malakasa Tea House, a place where people from the local refugee camp or those passing through could sit, have some food and tea, and talk with others, the team had the opportunity to hear people’s stories and spread love and positivity. Arian was even pleasantly surprised when she was able to be a translator for those that spoke Arabic, her first language that she had never thought she would use in this kind of situation. The team also served at a Farsi church where people could receive a meal. “It was a space where Muslims and Christians would gather to have fellowship despite their religious and political backgrounds,” she said. “It was incredible to see people coming together in that way.”
The final ministry included doing prayer walks in the red light district and learning
about human trafficking. Arian said that this part of the trip was spiritually and
emotionally challenging. “God dwells in people’s bodies, so to see his temples disrespected
everyday when these women are taken out of their homes and forced into trafficking
is so sad,” she said. However, the experience allowed the team to better understand
connecting with people on an emotional, humanitarian level.
This part of the trip was also challenging for Arian because it was prayer oriented
and not action oriented. “In America, we are so hands on and have the right to protest
or take action in certain ways, but Greece is different,” she said. “I’m not a savior.
I don’t have that much power, but I can pray and put my trust in Christ’s plan.”
Despite the heavy nature of their service, the team was also able to explore the area and enjoy their time together. They saw the Parthenon, visited Corinth to do a Bible study and follow Paul’s steps from Acts 18, and even watched sunsets together like those mentioned in Acts 17. They also dove into the local culture by trying new kinds of food. On one of their days off, the team took a bike ride to an Orthodox monastery. Arian is Orthodox herself, so this part of the trip meant a lot to her. “The other girls hadn’t experienced the Orthodox culture before, so it was cool to share it with them,” she said. “We all have differences, but we can appreciate aspects of other denominations and see the good, true, and beautiful in each of them.”
Learning to connect with and help others was Arian’s biggest takeaway from the trip. “There’s a part of us that is broken because of sin, but there is also a beautiful side to humanity because there is always both pain and joy,” she said. “It’s special to look at life and see how you can use your talents and passions to help others.” Arian’s time in Greece reaffirmed that her passion lies with helping immigrants. She hopes to become an immigration attorney and help people in similar cases, and her experience in Greece only heightened her passion. “It was a powerful experience to use my language and culture to foster connections despite barriers,” she said. “People need help, and I have access to the education that they might not be able to get themselves.” Arian said that the trip inspired her to continue to put her full effort into her school work in order to use her knowledge to help others one day. She also plans to look for refugee and anti-human trafficking organizations that she can help back home.