a s takes Senior Madeline Adkins spent summer 2019 in Athens, Greece, ministering and evangelizing to refugees. International programs broadened student perspectives in many ways. For senior social work major Madeline Adkins, her time at the Harding University in Florence and Greece (HUF-HUG) program in fall 2017 led to a summer 2019 internship in Athens, Greece, and a newfound desire to serve. During Adkins' time at HUF-HUG, a group of Harding students volunteered their Monday nights to serve "love meals" at a local soup kitchen with Hellenic Ministries, an organization dedicated to the evangelization of Greece. Adkins said her experiences helped her discover a passion for service. "After that, I just thought about it and decided I wanted to major in social work and really emphasize working with refugees," Adkins said. Following Adkins' semester abroad, she was encouraged to apply for an internship with Hellenic Ministries assisting refugees in Athens. Through the organization, she served with several smaller ministries that enabled her to prepare meals, work at a refugee camp and distribute Bibles. Adkins said her involvement with the various ministries emboldened her to share Christ with the refugees arriving in Greece. "All the different ministries that are in Athens are just addressing the refugee crisis and these people who would never know Christ because of the country that they come from," Adkins said. "[It was] just a really incredible opportunity to bear witness to what's happening in Athens and all the different ministries and people from all over the world that congregate there to work alongside refugees and the Greek people." 2019 alumna Lindsey Webb ministered in Athens with Adkins and said she appreciated the time they spent working together. "I am so thankful that the Lord allowed our paths to cross this summer," Webb said. "She always gave me constant love and encouragement all summer long. I knew that I could talk to her about anything, and I don't know what I would have done without her." Doctor of physical therapy graduate student Brenna Walters worked with Hellenic Ministries during her time at HUG in summer 2017. She praised the efforts of the ministry. "The Hellenic Ministries were well organized and inviting to both those in need and those willing to help," Walters said. "The workers and volunteers demonstrated nothing but respect and care for those who walked in the door asking for help." Though Adkins enjoyed her time in Athens and appreciated the expansion of her personal perspective, she said she struggled with returning to normal life. "The big thing I guess is just seeing God in such huge ways and just such evident ways and then coming back to a comfortable, pretty easy life," Adkins said. "It's just trying so hard to seek God in those small moments in the day to day and just know that he is not just present in Greece, but present everywhere." story by Emma Aly & Hannah Read Senior Madeline Adkins visits the Parthenon in Athens, Greece, July 29, 2019. She spent her summer 2019 in Athens evangelizing and caring for those in need. I photo courtesy of Madeline Adkins people 131
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