As 2016 has come to a close, people are looking to the new year for new solutions. The focus of the media has shifted to politics, celebrity gossip, and trendy paleo eating habits. However, things on Lesvos remain. Boats are still arriving. People are still placed in tents during snow fall. Families are still seeking asylum. The crisis remains very real.
             
To meet the needs of the island practically, the YWAM Next Wave ship has been acting as a floating hostel and community for many volunteers. The ship is docked in a private marina just near the bustling port of Mytilini. Volunteers get connected through YWAM Refugee Circle and placed together on this vessel to be vessels for God’s Kingdom. The aim: to create community where believers are inspiring each other to live, serve and love God and His children.
             
The ship is functioning not only as a home, but a place of rest and encounter with the Lord for all volunteers on the island. There are weekly open community nights with worship and devotionals as well as two times of worship and intercession per week. Meals are eaten all together to create intentional family with one another.  The ships capacity is forty-four persons. At this moment, we have a maximum of eight weeks volunteering in order to prevent burn out and encourage every individual to rest well.

The heart behind the Next Wave is to establish the kingdom of God for volunteers and refugees alike on the island. To foster a safe and consistent community where volunteers can be committed, even long term, is a dream we are working towards making a reality.

YWAM Harpenden and YWAM Biarritz have been working together to create this community. The long term vision is to establish a YWAM base on Lesvos.

“To all who mourn, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.” Is. 61:3