Mid-January, the workers, – who had been so difficult to find, finally arrived. Almost all external work on the buildings is expected to be completed by the end of February. As a result, the scaffolding will be removed, and during March, earthworks will be underway to restore once again the green and serene atmosphere of this place.

Due to limited funds, our primary focus now is to complete, at least to a functional level, the main building that houses our kitchen, dining room, lecture hall, basement recreational room, and some staff accommodation. In a pinch, this building could also provide accommodation for students in smaller groups so that we can soon start our Winter schools. Bookings for both the Spring and Fall Bible school courses have been very encouraging, and we are now completely full for 2024.

Moreover, we are pleased with the response we’ve received concerning our staff requirements. But for most applicants, getting a residency visa for long-term stay and work in Greece has been challenging. Hence, we’re working with short-term volunteers. For this season, we still need the services of a cook or a cook’s assistant, one for Spring and another in the Fall. Additionally, we could use the help of a female Resident Assistant to work with our students during the Fall course.

Further, It would be much appreciated if you could pray with us for funds to complete the project as soon as possible to ensure we can maximise our effectiveness. Many passing through this place have been profoundly impacted. These short term schools have helped snatch back young people standing at the precipice of hell. As the world becomes darker and more confused by the day, we are seeing a deepening hunger for what is true and good. It is heartbreaking to have to turn people away for lack of space and for lack of staff to serve them. Please pray for us and consider how we might collaborate as God’s spirit prompts you. Please don’t underestimate the significance of even a small steady contribution donated monthly for example, that adds up over time! I appeal particularly to those of you who have participated here and know by experience how God can work to save and transform lives.

Exciting news! Long-term staff are joining the Kingfisher Greece team.

Ioana from Romania will come on board to cook. Josh and Abby from Australia and the US will take on the roles of dean of students and other administrative and maintenance tasks. Jo from the UK will serve as a Resident Assistant, mentoring students and overseeing domestic duties with support from short-term volunteers. There are others interested in joining who are waiting for confirmation about their involvement. I’ll share their names and roles once it’s clear they’ll be part of our team. Please pray that the resident visas are processed smoothly and that a support group emerges to help fund this team.

In August, for lack of staff and suitable facilities, we took a step back for the first time since starting the Kingfisher Project in 1997. Family camps and spiritual retreats were canceled, giving Sandra and I a needed break, albeit there was still much to do in preparations for the coming fall school.

The two Bible schools, however, in spring and fall turned out to be very positive experiences. Every year, the attendees seem to arrive with a stronger desire for a genuine relationship with God. In the spring, six students were baptized, declaring their commitment to following Christ. In the fall, after a road trip to Thessaloniki and Philippi, visiting ancient biblical sites, the students were thrilled with the idea of being in the same locations that Paul the Apostle visited. At the riverside where Lydia was baptized at ancient Philippi, they sang songs of praise. The tour bus driver was so moved by the group that he wept when saying goodbye as he dropped them off for the return ferry to Skopelos. The following week, they studied the book of Acts and realized that these aren’t just stories but events that happened in real places where they had just been.

This winter, we aim to make significant progress in getting the new buildings operational. Our goal is to have facilities ready for summer retreats and winter Bible schools, allowing year-round activities. We faced delays this summer due to health issues that our project manager was having, but we expect to be moving forward again by the end of October.

Soon we’ll announce a new second-term program called “Support Staff at Kingfisher.” This internship is intended for alumni of Torchbearer bible schools. Its aim is to allow participants who wish to give back, sharing their appreciation for their student experience. They will have the opportunity to be involved in the school’s operations, mentor and guide current students, discover and enhance their skills and gifting, and develop their leadership abilities based on the example set by Jesus, who washed his disciples’ feet.

It seems that as the building project draws near to completion, so is the staff team coming together to take the Kingfisher Project to a new phase of operation. We would appreciate your prayers and any contribution you may care to make. Contact me at theo@torchbearers.gr for information on how to participate in what God purposes to do here.

The Winter “slowdown” was much appreciated over the Christmas and New Year celebrations period. The following rains kept everything at a standstill as muddy piles of earth from the excavations prevented any sort of machinery being able to work on site for much of January.

Mid February things slowly got underway again.  The earth having dried sufficiently allowed for the construction of a service ramp to the basement of the main building (meeting hall) being the last of any major cement work on the buildings.  By the start of March things were into full swing again.

On average, 5 languages are being spoken simultaneously; Greek, English, German, Albanian and Romanian. Quite a challenge at times to keep everyone in the know and connected.  Managing the supply of all the materials needed also proves to be a challenge as is the coordination of each team that needs to do their part.  Dealing with transport companies both on the island and mainland and coordinating with the shipping lines has set us back at times when things have gone wrong.

The intention is to have everything ready for use by the Summer this year!  A huge undertaking, dependent on so many variables, but we trust ultimately in God who is at the “helm”.

Pray with us if you will, for wisdom to handle each challenge.  That there continues to be a good spirit of cooperation between all those involved. For safety, strength and health.  And for continued provision of workers, materials and funds to complete the project as soon as possible.