Frequently Asked Questions

Over the past several weeks I have been asked the same questions several times.  Some of the questions I ask myself.  Here is the best I can do to answer them.

Q. What will you do about languages?  Do you speak any?

A.  I expect to have to deal with 3 groups of people while I am on the island.  First my fellow workers for Operation Mobilization and partner relief groups.  They represent people from all over the world, but most of them have a working knowledge of English.  Second will be the people who live on Lesbos that speak Greek.  Most of the service industries (hotel, food, etc.) have a nominal understanding of English.  I am learning some Greek, but my mind is a sieve. The third group is the refugees.  They represent a diverse language group including Arabic, Kurdish, Urdu, Pashto, Dari, etc..   I don't have the natural talent to learn a language. I will be totally dependent on the Holy Spirit to allow me to listen and communicate in a way that expresses God's love and compassion.

Q. When are you leaving?

A. I actually begin my travel on Saturday, February 27th.  I will taking the bus down to Logan airport, flying from Boston to Zurich, Zurich to Athens.  I get to Athens on Sunday afternoon.  I then board an overnight ferry for Lesbos and arrive Monday morning the 29th.  This is when I officially start ministry.  I will be in Lesbos till March 14th.  Reverse my itinerary and I will be home the evening of March 15th.

Q. What will you be doing.

A. I covered this in my last blog entry.

Q. Where are the refugees coming from?  What is going on?   Why did they have to cross the water in these rafts?

A. I don't have the answers to this question.  It appears the stories are many.  Here are more links about the journey.

A Refugees Journey

Piper Perabo



Q. Where will I stay?

A. I don't know the exact accommodations, but it appears to be a hotel with a kitchenette that I will share with another team member.

Q. How can I help?

A. First and foremost pray for my preparation and trip?  Pray I will have my eyes open to what God will have me do, who I should talk to and how can I communicate His Love.  Calvary Bible Church has started a clothing collection to fill my duffle bag.   I am guessing that is pretty much full.  We are coming down to the wire if you want to support my trip go to https://my.omusa.org/page.aspx?pid=327.  Enter "Keith Stackhouse OM1000693872" in the comment box.  Donations need to entered by 2/20/2016.