connecting ...people with people ...life and faith ...theology to practice
The Bible speaks about refugees and their experience, and therefore it is the foundation for my work. Here are some of the scriptures that have helped me to understand the refugee journey. Related to this are examples of how the scriptures have influenced personal lives.
Title, idea or subject of the passage
1 Peter 3:8-22
What we do flows out of who we are. Our good deeds in life and the morals we live by are the side-effects of who we are. Therefore when we face difficult situations and need to explain ourselves to others, we don’t focus on the beliefs and morals, rather we tell people about our dependence on God who through Christ provides for us, fills us with hope and give us a new identity. This is counter-intuitive. Read the rest of this entry »
I recently met a refugee who talked about the struggle to live without a country. I am trying to imagine what this must be like. The word that comes to my mind is grief, and the need is for vision.
When I fled as a refugee, I saw Hindus and Budhists, Christians and Muslims all living together in a single country. Before in my country this was unthinkable. I lived as a refugee for 5 years, and worked as I was able. When I thought the danger was over in my country, I returned to help rebuild it. However, soon after returning, my life was threatened, I saw the impossibility of my culture. It is like a lost country that has dropped off the end of the world. I had to flee again. It is hard to live without a country. I am here in the hopes of getting a passport so that I can finally settle in a country. I have 2 children and it is so difficult to be without them.
His life will never go back to the way it once was. As a refugee he is continually faced with what he does not have, like honey inside a jar that he can’t open. He will face grief at every turn he takes and his children will never know their father except through the face of grief.
His testimony reminds me that the birth of a dream carries a lot of grief with it. Ecclesiastes 5:3 wisely points out that a vision is the sum of many steps. The big view in scripture is that these steps will be painful, and there are many tears to testify to this.
Jesus reminded his followers that there is no one who has left home who will not have to make a sacrifice. As Christians we will face grief as we follow Jesus, yet the scriptures promise that the Lord knows our pain, comforts us and he cares for us.
As I hear refugees share their loss like this man faces, I also see the birth of a vision. I remind myself that in helping someone like this to face loss as great as living without a country and a family, I am also helping him to embrace a vision greater than all of this -a vision of God’s Kingdom and God’s family.
There are at least two things that come to my mind that would be helpful. Can you add anything else?
1. I can ask, “What step is he trying or needing to take? What does he need in order to take the next step and how can I help him to do this.”
2. I can point out and remind him of the promises of God, to know our grief, to comfort and to care.
Title, idea or subject of the passage
Acts 11:19-26
To make a name for ourselves, we must get beyond culture; we must link together and encourage one another to practice what we teach.
Context in the passage that relates to us
v.22 — Learn from each other (The church sent Barnabas to see and understand the situation rather than making assumptions based on what they heard as rumors)
v.23a — Look for where God is at work (Barnabas saw signs of God’s grace at work, even though it perhaps was not what he expected.)
v.23b — Encourage one another (Barnabas did this by focusing on the essentials (v.23c) and by modeling authentic relationships (v.24))
v.25 — Get help
Context in our life that relates to the passage
How can God use us in his work?
“We need a Christian network in order to be used by God. We cannot do everything by ourselves. …We must work together …we need people to work with us who know the local culture and who can help us.”
Click here for Reza’s message in Persian and German
“A network to Serve God” (21 minutes)
How can we remain faithful?
“After I gave my life to Christ, I kept praying, ‘Lord, what must we do?’ …the calling came to me. ‘Austria needs God, give God to Austria.’ So our vision is to give the word of God to refugees deep in their life …We cannot sustain ourselves without prayer, patience and perseverance …along with these we need, the Word, the Holy Spirit, community and the name of the Lord.”
Click here for Nana’s message in English and German
“Remaining Faithful as Refugees” (17 minutes)
Title, idea or subject of the passage:
Genesis 50:15-21
When our lives are broken, we can cry to God, because God redeems hopeless situations.
Context in the passage that relates to you
v.15 - like Joseph and like refugees, we are forced people in a sinful world. (Don’t get sidetracked on other issues)
v.17-19 - we can bring our cries to God. (Remember God’s grace and power)
v.20-21 - God’s purpose gives hope. (Look for ways to give hope)
Context in your life that relates to the passage
“When the police came to deport me, I ran into the kitchen and could only cry. I felt like my heart was being ripped out and I wanted to plunge a knife into myself”
Click here for a message on this subject.
“Living without a Place” - Paul Sydnor (31 minutes)
Source: Paul in Austria
Title, idea or subject of the passage:
Hebrews 11:8-10
God makes it possible to live a life of faith, even though the circumstances make it seem impossible
Context in the passage that relates to you:
To go …not knowing where you are going (v.8) - life is uncertain especially when you don’t know know what will happen or where you will end up.
living as an alien in a foreign land is very uncertain. (v.9) The person doesn’t know the culture. It leaves us disadvantaged and vulnerable
looking for a city with foundations. (v.10) There are 4 important “therefores” in the surrounding verses which help us to recognize the foundations.
1. draw near to God and hold on (10:19-25)
2. let go of sin and focus on Jesus (12:1-2)
3. strengthen and heal the weak (12:12-13)
4. worship God (12:28)
Context in your life that relates to the passage:
Hassan had lived in Germany for 2 years. He learned the language, found a community of friends and joined a church. After 2 years the police came late at night to arrest him and deport him from the country. He was an “alien”, and his case for asylum was decided and he was no longer welcome. Within 8 hours he was transported out of the country, leaving behind his family who had applied under a separate asylum case.