Serving Refugees, Sharing Hope: A First Mission Trip to Greece for Mother & Daughter

At Samaritan’s Feet, we believe that mission trips don’t just serve communities in need, they also transform the hearts of those who go.

This summer, we had the privilege of watching that unfold through Charity Knauff and her daughter Sophia, who joined us on their very first mission trip together.

Charity, a ministry leader in Birchwood, Wisconsin, always had a dream to serve on a mission trip. But it was Sophia, home from college after a difficult first semester, who reignited that calling.

“She came home at Christmas and said, ‘Mom, I really feel like I need to be on a mission trip,’” Charity shared. “So I started looking around and came across Samaritan’s Feet. When I saw the Greece trip, the timeline lined up perfectly.”

Charity was surprised to learn how much need existed in Greece, especially among the refugee population. The trip partnered with the Father’s Heart Center, a ministry in Athens that serves vulnerable populations, particularly refugees and asylum seekers, by providing practical resources, prayer, and a welcoming space to experience the love of Christ. Over the span of five days, the team served nearly 1,000 refugees from Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, and Egypt.

“I never, ever thought that Greece would be a place where they would be doing mission work,” she said. “But once I started reading about the refugee camps and how much need there is, I got really excited about it.”

Like many who consider a mission trip, the financial commitment was a concern at first.

“I told Sophia, ‘I don’t know if we’re going to be able to afford this,’” Charity said. “So she wrote a letter and sent it out to maybe 30 or 40 people, and money just started coming in.”

Through the generosity of their community, they not only reached their fundraising goal but exceeded it. When asked how to use the extra funds, Charity asked for socks to be purchased and included in the distributions.

“People really wanted the socks. It made me cry sometimes because we didn’t always have the right size or we were running out,” she recalled. “We have so many at home, but there, they were begging for socks because they couldn’t get another pair. That was really humbling.”

Throughout the week in Athens, Charity and Sophia served tirelessly, helping at eight separate distributions, praying over families, washing feet, and offering care and comfort in a place where language was a barrier, but kindness was universal. With the help of translators from the Father’s Heart team, they were able to connect deeply with the individuals they served.

“They were so loving and so excited to be cared for,” Charity said. “Some would bring their babies down and Sophia would hold them while the moms smiled. Tears came down their eyes when we were washing their feet. It was really beautiful.”

The experience also reshaped Charity’s perspective.

“I think we have way more in common as a human race than we think,” she shared. “This trip helped change my worldview, and I think I’ve always had it in my heart to do something like this, but Sophia was definitely the push,” she said. “I’m really glad she did – it changed both of us forever.”

For those considering a trip of their own, Charity had this to say:

“We’re not guaranteed tomorrow. If you have the opportunity to step outside of yourself and serve others, it changes you. It stretches you and grows you in ways you wouldn’t normally experience.”

We’re incredibly grateful that Charity and Sophia chose to take that step with Samaritan’s Feet. Their story is a reminder that mission trips are not just about giving, but also receiving the joy, growth, and transformation that comes when we serve with love.

Join a Mission That Moves You

Charity and Sophia’s story is just one example of how a single “yes” can lead to life-changing impact. If you’ve ever considered going on a mission trip, now is the perfect time to take that next step.

We still have limited spots available for the remainder of 2025, and we’re already preparing for an exciting lineup of international and domestic mission trips in 2026, including destinations like Hong Kong, the Philippines, Honduras, Washington DC, Uganda, and many more.

Whether it’s your first trip or you’re returning to serve again, each experience offers a powerful opportunity to share hope, dignity, and love with those who need it most.

Explore upcoming trips: SamaritansFeet.org/Missions