Month: June 2018

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Complete

The UNHCR NGO Consultation is complete.  The time was challenging, stimulating, and informative.  To see more than 600 people representing 350 organizations focused on the refugee crisis was so encouraging.  One of the highlights was participating in a workshop/discussion on Faith Sensitivity in the Humanitarian Space.  There is a recognition that faith plays a significant part in helping refugees survive and recover from their displacement.  And we must help those working, in what is often seen as a secular space, to understand the important role faith plays.

I come away from this gathering with a strong sense that IAFR is positioned well to make a significant impact, both in word and action, in the continuing refugee situation.  With that in mind, Tom and I are spending focused time today in Geneva, working on sharpening the vision of IAFR and looking ahead.  Not a bad place to be working.

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UNHCR – Geneva

2018 NGO gathering – photo credit: UNHCR

Today is Day 1 of the UNHCR – NGO Consultation here in Geneva. I, along with my colleague, Tom Albinson, are in this picture of delegates.

The opening session included a dialogue with the UNHCR High Commissioner, Filippo Grandi. Here are my thoughts after the session:

The refugee crisis is huge and riddled with challenges. Progress is slow and more needs to be done. Many people from UNHCR and NGO’s are working tirelessly to make a difference. A focus needs to be on the efforts of UNHCR, Civil Society (NGO’s and such), and Refugees working together to find solutions.

And most importantly, it appears to me that IAFR is positioned well for being part of this dialogue and making a difference in this crisis.

More to come!!

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Another Travel Day

photo credit: Tim Barnes – IAFR

Today I am on my way to a gathering in Geneva, Switzerland. The gathering is a consultation for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) working with displaced people. It is hosted by the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

I will be traveling with my colleague, Tom Albinson. We look forward to learning as well as contributing. With all that is happening in the world, it seems to be the right place to show up.

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Wheaton, Illinois

Brad Rosengren – Cedarstone Partners, Jacob Tornga – IAFR. photo credit: Tim Barnes – IAFR

Yesterday, Jake Tornga (IAFR  – Director of Project Management/East Africa Regional Leader) and I spent the day in Wheaton, Illinois.  We have several key partners in Wheaton.   One of them is Cedarstone Partners, who provide all the financial services for IAFR.  They have played a significant part in the positive growth and development of our organization.  Brad Rosengren, our point person, does an incredible job keeping us on track.  Jake and I spent a few hours with Brad, learning more about some of our systems.

Another key partner is Tyndale House Foundation (THF).  Their generosity has provided resources for several key IAFR projects and general ministry needs.  THF has also been a source of connection to other organizations and services which are able to benefit IAFR.  We had a very encouraging meeting with a representative from THF, both to report on the work of IAFR and to share our gratitude.

As I headed home, Jake remained in Wheaton to participate in the Humanitarian Disaster Institute (HDI) conference taking place this week.  HDI is another partner with whom we have worked in the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya.  Our own Jean Pierre Gatera, former refugee pastor/church leader in Kakuma and now a member of the IAFR team, is also presenting at the conference.

It was a good and fulfilling day.

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World Refugee Day

The updated Refugee Highway Map – IAFR

World Refugee Day is a day set aside to remember the millions of people around the world who have been displaced due to persecution, war and conflict, and violence.  Despite the negative rhetoric coming from governments and politicians, these women, men, and children have demonstrated incredible courage and resilience in some of the most horrific circumstances.  They deserve our attention and our action, however small it may seem.

If you are interested in learning more about the current state of displacement, you can check out the latest Global Trends Report which is being released today as part of  World Refugee Day.  You can find it here.  You can also find many resources from IAFR here.

May God give us wisdom and courage to step into a very difficult issue.

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68.5 Million

Dzaleka Refugee Camp, Malawi – photo credit: Tom Albinson – IAFR

The new displacement statistics came out this week.  68.5 million.  That is the number of people who are forcibly displaced globally due to “persecution, conflict, or generalized violence” (UNHCR Global Trends – Forced Displacement in 2017, p. 2).  This is an increase from 2016 and again, a record-setting high number.

We have been told that most people cannot comprehend that number of people.  The number is so large, that it is too difficult to get a sense of it’s impact.  Maybe it’s like looking at a large forest and not really seeing the individual trees. 

But those 68.5 million are individuals…moms, dads, brothers, sisters….some young (52% are under the age of 18), some old…some come in families, some come alone.  Many more children are fleeing on their own.  Most come running for their lives and the lives they love.

But one thing…they all come as Human Beings.  Just like you and me.  And we Must Do Better in how we respond as individuals, as families, as churches, and as countries.

By the way, tomorrow (June 20 – World Refugee Day) I will post a link to the UNHCR Global Trends if you want to get a sense of the whole picture of forced displacement.

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Canada

Sharing a meal with friends at a transitional home for asylum seekers – photo credit – IAFR

The time with our Canadian colleagues was very productive last week.   In the midst of reporting and planning, excellent times of prayer and personal sharing also took place.  Part of our time was spent envisioning what IAFR might look like 3, 5, or 10 years from now.  At the speed of our world, that is not an easy exercise.

But I have to say that the best part of our time up North, was our dinner on Thursday evening.  We gathered at a transitional home for those who are seeking asylum in Canada.  Current and former residents joined us for a wonderful meal of Persian food.  Together, we were people from Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Lebanon, Nigeria, Sudan, Mexico, Canada, and the U.S.  It was such a rich time of fun, conversation, and hope.

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Travel Day

Today is a travel day.  Tom Albinson and I are headed to Toronto for the next couple of days to meet with our colleagues at IAFR Canada.  We, together with the leadership of IAFR Canada form the IAFR International Roundtable, which meets in person twice a year and monthly by video call.  

The next two days will be spent in prayer, reporting, planning, and working on those things that help IAFR better carry out our mission.  Prayers appreciated.

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Monday Meetings

3030 Coffee shop, Peoria, IL – photo credit: Tim Barnes – IAFR

Mondays usually mean meetings.  But I had two additional meetings today, one planned and one unexpected, at one of my favorite local coffee shops.

The first meeting, which was scheduled, was with a journalist from a local community paper.  She is very interested in the work that I and the rest of my colleagues do with IAFR and has a huge heart for the refugee crisis.  Her desire is that more people would learn about what is going on.  We are looking at the possibility of a series of articles and stories.  Stay tuned.  More to come.

At the same time, I unexpectedly ran into a friend who recently booked me to speak at his church this summer.  We have a long history of friendship, and it was great to catch up and discuss a little about my upcoming talk.

Can I also just add, that I am excited about the opportunities that I have been given to speak about my work with IAFR, both in and outside of Peoria.  If you are interested where I will be speaking or traveling the summer, you can check it out on the tab labeled “Where I Will Be”.

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Webinars

photo credit: Tim Barnes – IAFR

So I am not a “native” of the internet.  I remember a time with no mobile phones, no texting, no websites, no internet….wow, I sound old.  But I have embraced technology and am grateful for it.   Opportunities to access the world are possible.

This week, we held two IAFR webinars on Refugee Realities.  Individuals joined us from around the U.S. and Canada.  We even had someone from Australia show up last night (thanks Fiona).  I am glad that the technology makes that possible and was happy to help facilitate a few of the details in the background.

Understanding the true nature of the refugee crisis is one of the first steps to becoming involved.  Stay tuned for more webinars in the future.