In the past year, over 2,000 people found peace, purpose, and transformation at Porto Astro.
Every summer, in a quiet seaside cove just one and a half hours from Athens, HM’s mission property, Porto Astro, becomes a meeting place for the nations! It’s also a place for all generations and stories of faith.
Twelve-year-old Daria* from Syria was all smiles throughout the week. She wanted to be baptized, publicly declaring her faith in Christ (see below). 'I live for Christ, and I’m not hiding it,' said another participant, from Iran who was baptized last year.
* pseudonym
This summer season, we are hosting 17 unique programs — for children, youth, men, women and families; for refugees from Ukraine, Iran, Syria; for Russian, Ukrainian, Russian, Farsi, Dari and Arabic, Greek, Romanian and English-speaking communities! Porto Astro truly is a place of blessing for the nations! Beyond the many activities, each program is an opportunity for spiritual growth, training and development.
Samuel Tsoutsas, Director of Porto Astro, says: “All the weariness fades away when you see faces emerge from the water, radiant with joy, testifying to Christ. It’s a glimpse of heaven.”
And indeed, heaven rejoices. About 2,000 people will have passed through our programs at Porto Astro in 2025. Refugees may arrive fearful because of past traumatic experiences, but when they leave, they often say:
“Maybe I will never see you again, but these were the most beautiful days of my life.”
Thanks to the contributions of our dedicated volunteers and partners, Porto Astro now has renewed facilities, a new medical clinic, a new (to us/used) outboard engine, internet access, and water sports equipment, etc. It continues to serve — not only during the summer, but throughout the year, with special events hosting programs for local churches, monthly trauma counseling retreats for refugees, conferences, training and educational programs and even weddings! This past summer, we even were privileged to host our first study-abroad program with Moody Bible Institute using our facilities with a cohort of students. We will launch our Oikos outreach event with 14 teams that will convene for training before spreading across Greece.
Pray with us
- It is essential to maintain use of the dock on the opposite shore, which has been used for decades to transport materials, goods, and people and is a critical access point. It is vital not only for daily operations but also for health emergencies, especially for staff members who live with chronic illnesses and require hospital examinations.
- Pray for us as plans are underway to invest further in infrastructure, enhancing our capacity to serve more efficiently.
- Pray for the staff and their challenges and the need for more dedicated team members.
- Pray for the Broad Reach maritime that extends its reach to the islands from Porto Astro.
- Please continue to pray with us: that every program would overflow with peace, joy blessing; that staff and participants would thrive, and that the light of Christ would shine through each life touched here...extending to wherever they go.
Ways to partner with us financially
- $70,800 for an excavator
- $153,400 for an engineering study and the creation of road access to the property
- $70,800 for three new guest houses
- $86,000 for the construction of toilets and shower units for capacity of 200 people.
- $20,000 for reconstruction of shop and equipment
- $18,000 for major repair work on bulldozer, backhoe and skid loader
- $8,000 for 5 tent cabins