"Riot Days" in Athens...

One of my favorite memories from my Junior year are the "ice days" we had in January. For three days straight my roommate Noel and I sat in our living room and watched chick flicks. Campus was closed and the streets were deserted. We could not drive for fear of skidding down the street on the icy roads (although one attempt was made). We were warm and cozy while icicles hung from our roof and cars.

When I woke up this morning, I had a similar feeling, but for a must worse reason. I am not hulled up in my neighborhood because of cold weather and icy streets, but because of anarchists and riots in the center of the city (not something we had in College Station...).

Anarchist groups are common to Athens and have a desire for there to be no government or police regulation of any kind. Athens has had some political unrest for awhile now, but it has greatly increased over the past 3 days. I found this article from CNN that briefly explains the situation:

"A police statement... said the incident started when six young protesters pelted a police patrol car with stones. [A] 16-year-old boy was shot as he tried to throw a fuel-filled bomb at the officers, police said.

Other youths converged on the site almost immediately. These young people -- often referred to in Greece as " the known-unknowns" -- use texting and Web sites to organize and communicate.

Fighting between youths and police quickly erupted in other parts of Greece, including Thessaloniki, the country's second largest city. Hundreds of youths took to the streets of the sprawling port city, and finally barricaded themselves behind the gates of a state university, where police are barred from entering."

The majority of the protesters are college students-the people we are here to minister to. The students here are extremely passionate people and always desire for their government to improve (although the methods may not be the best). Please pray this will open doors to share the gospel with our friends and that one day they would be as passionate for Christ as they are for their government!! My desire is for these "unknown" students to recognize they are known and loved by Christ!

As far as the damage goes...the best shopping street here, Ermoo, is apparently vandalized and burned, and my university, Hellenic American Union, is closed due to destruction there as well. What broke my heart the most was a picture of the Athen's Christmas Tree burning (pictured...this area is equivalent to Rockefeller Center in NYC).

The only thing I have seen of this is through the internet and pictures...so I am completely safe in my neighborhood of Zografou. We are taking precautions and watching the news often...all we need is prayer!

Other prayer requests:
-For the family of the 16-year old boy who was shot...that they would experience God's peace.
-The team of 16 students from Grace Bible church coming on the 12th...easy travel and that the situation will have improved by then
-My parents coming on the 22nd...that I will have a beautiful city to show them, not one that is just burned and looted.
-The students hearts...that God would turn them to himself!

Tonight we are having our own "riot days" (as opposed to "ice days")...making french toast and watching a movie with our team and hopefully some Greek friends...NOT inhaling tear gas (just so you know Courtney).

Thanks for your prayers during these crazy days!

For a video of what is happening go to:
http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2008/12/09/black.greece.riots.cnn