Refugees-Part 4: The Church: Hope for refugees

Guest author Sam Tabiendo has submitted this story of hope. Sam, a fellow ReachGlobal missionary working in Spain, and I are both ReachGlobal contacts for the Refugee Highway Partnership in Europe. This is a story he wrote for his personal prayer letter. (NOTE: This photo is not of Sam or Patrick.)

MINISTRY TO REFUGEES

Can you imagine teaching the Word and getting thrown in jail? You're told that the bribe from your spouse just got you released and you better flee the country while you have life. A short time later, you are in a new country, foreign language, loved ones far away, you are homeless and penniless. I was in London at a conference regarding refugees in Europe. My first night there, I dined next to Patrick from Africa. This was his story five years ago. Patrick received asylum, has adapted, and has been living as a boarding home advisor with British juvenile delinquents, helping them make transitions back to the world. At the end of their term, these tough white guys are weeping as they say farewell to Patrick, who to them was closer than a father or brother. Yet it has been 5+ years apart from his family while I was whining about being 4 days away from mine. Patrick is one among over 1,500,000 refugees in Europe, not all for the cause of Christ, but the Lord has sovereignly brought them here. Whether they came legally or illegally, they all need Jesus. What are we, the Church who are also "strangers in a strange land" to do? This refugee conference offered hopeful answers to this issue. the church has an opportunity to fulfill what the Lord has taught (Mt 25:35) and yes, this is a controversial topic amongst Christians. ReachGlobal has begun a ministry with Refugee Highway Partnership to help reach the aliens.

Towards the end of our dinner, Patrick beamed about nearly saving up the money in hopes of bringing his family here within the next year. They are refugees themselves, "safely" in hiding in another African country. (....and I was whining to myself about being away from my family at this conference for five days.)