| The sudden collapse in Afghanistan has forced many to flee their homeland with little more than the clothes on their backs. Those currently being evacuated from Afghanistan join millions of refugees from other Muslim lands, including Iraq, Syria, and Pakistan, who have been forced by violence, danger, starvation, and abuse from Muslims to seek refuge in the more open countries of Europe and the West. I pray that wherever these refugees end up, they will find themselves among those who welcome them with food and shelter and with assistance for everything from documents to diapers. But most of all, I pray that they will find themselves welcomed by those who will tell them about the love, mercy, and hope of a forgiving God.
In the summer of 2018 my wife, Constance, and I visited several Christian outreaches in Europe that are seeking to share the good news with Muslim refugees. The welcome given by these Christians was to offer immediate help with practical needs and also an introduction to Jesus Christ. At every stop of our journey we saw how the Good Shepherd was calling home his lost sheep by bringing them from far off lands to the doorsteps of his disciples.
Despite COVID-19, the doors to share the gospel with refugees in Europe continue to be open, and AFM continues to pray for and seek out individuals called to minister to these refugees in Europe. Refugee ministry in Europe (and America) is a new frontier in missions.
After the trip, my wife Constance created a collection of paintings highlighting the plight of refugees in Europe, entitled Reaching for a Hope and a Future. As you look over these photos by either clicking this link or scrolling down, I encourage you to pray for the continuous flow of displaced peoples migrating toward Europe and what your response might be.
Perhaps it’s to pray for them, which is where all responses must begin. Perhaps it’s also to contact the AFM office to learn more. Or perhaps God is calling you to join AFM to go to this new frontier in missions—refugees— “to declare the praises of Him who called you [us] out of darkness into his marvelous light” (I Peter 2:8). Whatever your response, I invite you to pray the prayer below:
Father, you revealed yourself to Abram, Jacob, Moses, Paul, and so many others while they were on the move. Likewise, have mercy upon the displaced peoples of the world and reveal yourself to them as they travel away from their homelands. And Father, we pray that you continue to use your people, the church, and AFM cross-cultural workers, to share and be Jesus in their midst. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen |
