Each week this summer in WOW (Wide Open World), Tenth kids are focusing on a different country where one of our global partners works. Students are sent home with a sheet profiling our partner and his work and another sheet helping them connect to that country’s culture. We encourage families to pray specifically for the partner family of the week and to help their children further explore. This week we highlighted Greece. Children ages 4 through grade 6 are invited to join us in the Catacombs at 6:30 PM every Sunday throughout the summer as we explore what God is doing around the world.

Focus on Greece

Athens, Sparta, Mount Olympus–you probably know a lot about Ancient Greece from school. Did you also know it was the first country in Europe to have a missionary visit? You can read about the Apostle Paul’s visit in Acts 17. Today almost everyone in Greece is part of the Greek Orthodox Church, but less than 3 out of every 100 people regularly go to church. Many have never clearly heard the gospel. You can see a video about Mission to the World’s work in Greece here.

What's it Like to Live in Greece?

Since Greece is made up of islands and a peninsula, most people live on the coast. Most live in houses which are very close together with very little yards or else in apartments with balconies. Rather than celebrate their birthdays, children in Greece celebrate their “name day” on the day commemorating the Saint for whom they are named.

You might enjoy reading an ebook about Greece written by an eight-year old Greek girl named Amarandi Barrett. You can find it here.

Webquest

Visit Time magazine’s site for kids on Greece and find the answers to these questions

1. What animal is on Greek coins?
2. Greece is slightly smaller than what American state?
3. What’s a typical Greek breakfast?
4. How much olive oil does each person in Greece consume a year?

Food in Greece

Since the most important crop in Greece is olives, Greeks eat a lot of those. They also love seafood (especially octopus!), spinach and cheese pies, and pita bread filled with meat. Dinner often starts at 9 pm! You can find a number of recipes at this site for kids, but here’s a simple one you can try:

Keftedakia (small meatballs)

• 1 large onion very finely chopped
• Bunch of chopped parsley
• A few leaves chopped mint
• 2 slices dry, white bread soaked in milk and well drained
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 whole egg
• 1 cup plain flour
• 1 ½ cup vegetable oil for frying
• Salt and pepper to taste

Mix together everything but the flour and oil, then roll it into small balls the size of walnuts. Roll the balls in flour and then deep fry for 15 minutes.

Art Project

The ancient Greeks are known for their vases. Before 530 BC the images were usually black on a red background. After that, they switched and made red figures on black. You can see some here: Which do you like better? Design an image for a Greek vase based on a Bible story. Remember to use only red and black!

Speaking Greek