Posts

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Stuck

This week, I received this message from one of the people I have connected with in Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi.

“I still survive in Dzaleka refugee camp with my family. My prayer request to you is to help my family to leave this camp because we have many problems from home country until now.” 

A refugee camp, by nature, is to be a temporary place.  Yet, people are often displaced more than 10 years, and often 20 or more years.  If you are a praying person, would you pray for strength and comfort for those stuck in a “temporary” space and that solutions might be found.

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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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Communicate

My main task for the day.  Communicate!!  

Besides answering emails, quick video chats with our team members, and preparing for meetings, I needed to communicate with those people who prayerfully and/or financially support me or who are generally interested in my work with IAFR.  I send out an email update several times during the year.  It’s a good time of reflection of all that is happening and of my gratefulness for the friends, family, and groups that support the work I do.

If you are interested in reading my latest update you can read it here.  If you are not already signed up and would like to receive the update when it goes out, you can subscribe at that link.

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Bikes

One of my pastor friends in the Dzaleka Refugee camp sent me this photo on WhatsApp yesterday.  This refugee church sends some of their leaders out into surrounding villages, where they are starting churches and ministering to the villagers.  Often they travel long distances by foot.  Amazingly, fifteen churches have been planted among the Malawians.

After hearing of the work and need, one of our partner churches provided resources to purchase bicycles.  This will make the journey into the villages much easier.    It is great to see the global body of Christ working together.

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Generosity

So while working for another nonprofit organization, I had a boss that used to say, “We are not in it for the money, but if we don’t have money, we aren’t in it.”  I smiled but it’s true.  

It is in every IAFR person’s job description at IAFR, from the President to the office team to leaders and workers in refugee locations around the world.  We tell stories, communicate the needs, share what God is doing around the world and invite people, churches, and other organizations to partner with us through their prayers, resources, and time.  We could not do what we do without their generosity.

So as I start this week, I am excited, encouraged, and grateful for a generous grant that was provided to our Jonathan House ministry based in Minneapolis/St. Paul.  Jonathan House provides housing for those who have been forcibly displaced and are now seeking asylum here in the U.S. 

I am thankful for generous hearts, not only who give large grants, but for so many who give regularly each month to make sure the people of IAFR are able to continue their work of impacting refugees around the world.

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“Those People”


This is one of my favorite pictures from my recent trip to the Dzaleka Refugee camp. The photo is one of my pastor friends, his daughter, and his wife in the background.  I see a lot of love and pride in their faces, similar to how I feel about my daughter and son.

Often I hear “those people” being talked about…whether in news reports, group discussions, or on social media. “Those people” being refugees or asylum seekers. Rationalizations and judgements are so easy when we see people as a group or part of an issue.

As I look at this picture, I am reminded that “those people” have names, faces, hopes, and dreams just like you and me. And that’s why we tell their stories and do the work we do…so you can be reminded too.

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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?

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Kingdom

So I was in a group today where the question was asked, “Why do you do what you?  What is your motivation?”  You know…raise support, work in challenging and difficult situations, etc.   I think my answer has become more clear in my mind. 

Over the past year, I have spent more time looking at, thinking about, and praying the Lord’s Prayer found in the Gospels.  The part of the prayer about the Kingdom, “…your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10), has really grabbed me.  It is the idea of longing for and being part of seeing God’s kingly rule….his passion, his priorities, his love, his justice…show up on earth.

I actually think it is a prayer and goal for all of us.  I just happen to be doing it along the Refugee Highway.

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Journey

A highway is usually about taking a journey….moving from one place to another.  As a leader in IAFR, I find myself on the Refugee Highway, looking to be a part of bringing Hope and Healing to those who are on this highway; to help people survive and recover from forced displacement.

This blog is an attempt to bring you on the journey.