Tag: IAFR

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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.

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Education

Meeting with leaders in Uganda – photo credit: IAFR Canada

Education of refugee children is an incredible challenge in refugee environments…an issue that has moved a number of us in IAFR.  The topic comes up repeatedly in our discussions with refugee church and community leaders during our visits to refugee camps. 

A few of our colleagues from IAFR Canada and Jake Tornga, from IAFR USA, are currently visiting refugee environments in Uganda…and once again the issue of education has come up.  How do we help refugee children receive an effective education so they can become influencers of future change in their countries?

Here are some things IAFR is doing:

Partnering with a church in the DC area to provide scholarships for several refugee girls to attend boarding school outside the Kakuma Refugee Camp.

Finding resources to help support pre-schools started by refugee churches in Dzaleka Refugee Camp.

Working on a possible project that would allow the Dzaleka Christian Churches Union (DCCU) to start and operate a primary school in the Dzaleka Refugee Camp.

Exploring other educational opportunities for asylum seekers in the European context.

Education is a significant avenue to help refugees survive and recover from forced displacement.

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Grief

There are some days that grief comes in this work.  I received a message over the weekend from one our pastor friends in a refugee camp.  His sister-in-law and her family had been deliberately burned to death in their dwelling in the country from which my friend and his family had run.  

A country in Europe is drafting laws that would make it a crime, including jail time, for giving a cup of water or a sandwich to an asylum seeker in this country.

In our own country, we are separating children from their parents at the border and apparently losing track of where some of the children have been placed.  Many of these coming across the border are fleeing for their lives from violence and murder in the countries from which they come.

All these could be politicized.  That is not my intent.  I grieve that we have lost touch with the fact that all these are real people, created in the image of God, the same as you and I.  

Lord, have mercy.  

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Privacy

Privacy is the word this month.  With the new EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) going into effect tomorrow, everyone is scrambling to update their privacy policies.  And of course, IAFR is no exception. 

My job for the day was putting the finishing touches on our new and updated Privacy Policy.  Not exciting work but required work so everyone in IAFR can keep carrying out our vital mission. 

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TED


(photo by Tom Albinson/IAFR)

One of our IAFR convictions are that refugees are more than people in need.  In fact they have much to contribute and are people from whom we can learn.  This has certainly been true in my IAFR journey.

I am so excited that others are discovering the same thing.  A friend of mine posted a link this morning that announced that a TEDx gathering will be taking place in Kakuma Refugee Camp next month.  If you are unfamiliar with TED Talks, they are short, powerful talks (less than 20 minutes) on a variety of topics, shared at events around the world and online.  I have been a fan of Ted Talks for a number of years, finding them a great source of learning, encouragement, and challenge.

Kakuma Refugee Camp, one of the locations where IAFR serves, currently hosts more than 185,000 refugees from numerous countries.  The speakers for this event will be current and former refugees and others who are interested in impacting the refugee situation.  The event will be live streamed and I plan to watch. 

If you are interested in finding out more about this event, you can find it here.

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Knowledge

I have many opportunities to talk about my work with IAFR.  When people find out what I do,  they are often naturally curious about the refugee situation and how IAFR is working in that space. Many are not aware of or are misinformed about the issues.

Someone once said that knowledge is power, which is one of the reasons that we created the IAFR Toolbox.  This may sound like an advertisement (okay maybe it is a little) but the Toolbox is a great resource to increase your knowledge about the millions of people who have suffered displacement.  And knowledge can often lead to action.

Check out the IAFR Toolbox here.  And let me know if you have questions or feel free to share in the comments what stood out to you.

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Board

 (sorry Kristel…I don’t have a picture with you in it yet)

Once a month by video conference and once a year in person, the women and men of the IAFR US Board meet together.  These are people committed to the vision, mission, and integrity of IAFR.

Yesterday was our monthly board meeting, a fitting end to a week of meetings that led to refocusing, encouragement, and renewal.  I am grateful for these women and men who bring their experience, energy, insight, and support to the work of IAFR.  Thank you for all that you bring to this vital work!!

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Next Week


High speed internet access and close to an airport. That was my agreement when I joined IAFR nearly 4 years ago. I appreciated the opportunity to work remotely from home and not disrupt the family with a move at that point. And four years later, I still do.

But early Monday morning, I will make my way to the airport and head to the IAFR US office in Minneapolis for the week. There is much we can do through video chatting, messaging, and email. But there are some times you need to be in the same room, face to face, with a whiteboard in front of you. This is one of those times and I am really looking forward to it!!

Prayers appreciated for wisdom, clear thinking, and spirit-led discussions.

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Gathering

Today I am thinking about our team scattered around the world and in North America.  We now have over twenty team members giving themselves in service to those who have been forcibly displaced. Each one is having a significant impact in their locations. 

We gather our team together each year for a few days of refreshment, spiritual encouragement, training, learning, and connecting with each other.  Our gathering this year will take place in August, just south of Minneapolis/St. Paul.

So today I am working on some of the details of the IAFR Annual Conference.  And I am having lunch with our Spiritual Director for the week, my good friend Pastor Marty Hunt, to discuss his role with us.  I am already excited about August.  

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Showing Up

 

Sometimes the most important thing you can do is show up. Yesterday I hit the road to meet up with one of our IAFR ministry leaders who is pioneering a new ministry location in Europe. He happened to be about 2 hours away from me, visiting his daughter at college.

We shared a pizza lunch and discussed challenges…family, ministry, and personal. We also talked about opportunities, blessings, dreams, and strategies. Time seemed to go fast but I think we both left encouraged.

Whether it’s in a refugee camp, on the streets of a large urban area among asylum seekers, or in the life of one our teammates, sometimes showing up with a listening ear, an encouraging word, a heartfelt hug, and open hands is the most important thing to do. I really like that part of my role.

Question…where are you showing up?