The Story of the Burnt Sausage Rolls
Working in the refugee camp is hard, not just physically with the shifts and the heat but also emotionally. Here in Greece, we are seeing and hearing some distressing things. Stories from those arriving of families displaced and of torture. Recently, we sat talking with a man who had once lived happily with his wife and children in Syria one year ago. Now he is alone, still wearing his wedding band and trying to reconcile his new life. Sadly, he will never get to share his new life with his wife and children who were killed in a bomb explosion in Syria.
As volunteers, we try to do all can, listening to their stories if they want to talk, playing with their children to give them time to rest, making sure they have food, clothing and a roof over their head. Sometimes we feel like this isn’t enough, but it’s all you can do.
Volunteers who have been here for a long time have stressed the importance of being able to debrief, take time to talk to each other and be a part of a community to stay healthy. Amy and I have been so grateful to be part of the YWAM community here who are living on the Next Wave boat.
We are free to join them for meals, to pray, to join them in community nights they hold weekly and there is always a ear willing to listen. When a community works well it is a beautiful thing. I saw this played out in the most practical way at our first meal time without anyone saying a word….
Everyone was sitting in the galley area waiting for food. One of the volunteers had made a nice fresh salad and cooked some sausage rolls. After a few general announcements the chef got up and apologized. She had two trays of sausage rolls, one was perfectly cooked but the other she had burnt and the tops were all black. Someone quickly told her not to worry and said a short prayer for the food. Amy and I were still talking to a few people at our table so we got up a few minutes later. About two thirds of the staff and volunteers had their food. When I got to the table to pick up the sausage rolls I couldn’t help notice that all of the burnt food had been taken first. There was not a single burnt piece left.
It struck me that this community decided without anyone telling them that they wanted someone else to enjoy the food more than themselves. They wanted someone else to have the nicer food. It may only be a small act but it just goes to show a deeper level of community that is repeated time and time again as we work with the YWAM Next Wave team.
There are immediate needs for volunteers and crew to support them in Greece. Come join them!
Check out our previous post ‘Finding Jesus in a refugee camp’ – https://gloriousruin.com/finding-jesus-in-a-refugee-camp/
By Josh Morley
