10:14

The distance from Turkey to Lesvos is 4.1 miles.  This is why there are so many refugees in Lesvos; it's a relatively easy way to enter into Europe.

But it's not a guarantee.  

Many times, included in the exuberant price that smugglers charge those fleeing Turkey is 4 attempts at crossing the sea.  You see, if refugees are caught in Turkish waters, they are taken back to Turkey; if they are caught in Greek waters, the European Coast Guard is obligated to take them into Europe.  It's common for refugees to be caught.  

On Monday night, a boat carrying up to 35 refugees capsized off the coast of Turkey.  A 30 year old Iraqi woman swam to the Turkish shore after being in the water for 28 hours.  Her 5 children went missing immediately; her husband tried to swim to shore, but he couldn't make it.  He died. 

I read this story earlier this week and am heartbroken.  First of all, this woman is the same age as me.  Second of all, she has 5 children.  Thirdly, she didn't leave her home country because she thought it would be a fun adventure; she and her husband packed up their 5 young children to travel a hard and dangerous path because it was their best option, their only option.  They knew it was risky, but it was their greatest chance of life - not just a better life, but life.  And now she is alone, alone in a foreign land, and her closest family is gone forever.

And you know what?  This isn't just her story.  There were 35 people on that overcrowded boat.  At least 9 people are dead; 25 are still missing. 

What would make you leave your home right now?  What would make you pack one bag, grab your children, and run to an unknown future?  It would have to be a bad situation, something that isn't going to change in the foreseeable future.  The people that we will interact with have terrible tragedies in their pasts and their futures are still unknown.  

Pray for them.  Pray for us as we seek to share the Hope of the Gospel - the only Hope there is.

Romans 10:14 says:  "How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?"

Based on this passage, we are asking people to join us in prayer every day at 10:14.  Set an alarm on your phone, and every day when it buzzes at 10:14 take a moment to pray:  May Jordan and Kate be able to clearly share the Gospel with people who have not yet heard. May the refugees call on the name of the Lord and be saved.  

If you want more information and specific ways to pray, a collaborative prayer campaigne is launching which is a great resource.  You can find it by clicking here.