Tag: IAFR US

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2020 IAFR Conference

A view of some of the participants in the online version of the 2020 IAFR Conference – photo: Tim Barnes, IAFR

It wasn’t the context we wanted. Many of us were grieving that we were unable to meet in-person…we weren’t able to give a hug, take a walk, share a meal…the list goes on.

But we pulled it off. More than 40 of us from across the globe met a few hours each day this week. We listened to those who carry the story of forced displacement. Reports were given about what God is doing around the IAFR world. Meeting in breakout groups, we shared, listened and prayed. And through the presentations and bonus sessions, we became better “reflective practitioners”.

Here’s hoping that we can gather together next year. In the meantime, my friends and colleagues, show up each day to help people survive and recover from forced displacement and keep on being “rebels for the kingdom”.

What a great few days!

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Moving forward in 2020

2020 is in full swing…and it is ramping up to be an exciting and challenging year for IAFR. Challenging because the number of places and conflicts that produce forcibly displaced people continue to rise. Exciting because of the people, churches, and resources that God seems to be sending our way, allowing us to step into these situations.

Refugee situations in Asia have come our way, and for the first time it feels like we are being pulled to respond. In times past, we have not had the bandwidth to do so. Currently, we are considering situations in Thailand, Myanmar, and Indonesia. Some of us are planning to show up in one or more of these locations this spring.

2020 is also a year where continued work on our organizational infrastructure will be a focus. Sounds exciting, doesn’t it.

Actually, this infrastructure facilitates our IAFR community to be more effective in serving, funding, and showing up in the places that God opens up for us. I am grateful for my operations/admin team that is willing to jump into this area with me.

So we are hanging on, moving forward each day, and faithfully showing up where we are needed.

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Smile…the Video is Rolling

Some days I spend a lot of time on video chat with various IAFR team members.  Today was one of those days.  Tom Albinson, IAFR President, and I had our twice weekly video call, touching base on our priority lists, items that need our attention, and always keeping our eyes looking forward.  We are amazed at all that is happening in the IAFR world.

I am excited about a new project that Shanna, our leader in Colorado, is putting together.  The project is an apprenticeship program, mainly focused on those who have experienced forced displacement or those who may have difficulty raising financial support to be part of faith-based nonprofit.  The goal is to give them the experience of working with Shanna and IAFR for a year.  We had the chance to work through some of the details and a few of the challenges we will need to address.  The opportunity is very exciting!

Also spent some time meeting with Paul, our IAFR Europe Ministry Leader.  I will be with him and other IAFR ministry team members in Sarajevo in about 10 days.  We will all be participating in the Europe Refugee Highway Partnership gathering, where some of us will also be facilitating workshops.  At the end of the gathering, the IAFR members will be spending an extra day to catch up, encourage each other, and pray for each other.  I am looking forward to being with them.  It was good to hear how things are falling in place for the gathering.

Everyday is a little different.  But I enjoy my connections with our IAFR team, distributed in many places around the world.

So how was your day?

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Mondays

IAFR Leadership Team (Tom Albinson – US, Tim Barnes – US, Laura Dobrowlski – Canada, Rob Perry – Canada) – Photo Credit – IAFR

After a week of meetings near Minneapolis with our Canadian colleagues and then a weekend that saw 12-14 inches of snow in our Central Illinois area, Monday was a day to dig out…literally and figuratively.  Mondays also means connecting with the IAFR Service team, the small group of people who serve the organization and its members.  As we met today in our online call, updates were shared, as well as burdens and challenges.  Our call also provided a time to declare our weekly priorities and where we might need input or help from one another.

There are a lot of balls in the air, such as responding to inquiries about IAFR, helping with projects that are being launche, providing training for new staff, preparing for travel to ministry sites or to present at gatherings…just to name a few.  2019 is off to a fast and good start.

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A New Year

It’s a new year and I am working on ramping up my IAFR blog.  Most of my December was spent in a cold and flu-induced fog, leading to a lost month.  But I’m back and ready to push into all the opportunities and challenges that a turn of the year provides.

So this week finds me near Farmington, Minnesota, in meetings with the leadership of IAFR Canada.  Mount Olivet Conference and Retreat Center (the picture is from this past August), is like a second home for IAFR US.  It’s our go-to venue for conferences and off-site meetings.  The facility provides a wonderful setting to work through all the ins and outs of working internationally to help people survive and recover from forced displacement.  The displacement challenges continue to heat up around the world and close to home.  

We believe that IAFR is uniquely positioned to be a conduit of hope and help.  Pray for us as we plan, listen, and work together to respond to all that God is calling us to do!

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Holidays (Vacation)

Bus station in Galway City, Ireland – photo credit: Tim Barnes

It’s been quiet here on my blog for the past couple of weeks.  I have just returned from taking a holiday with my wife, Lizz.  The summer into the fall was a busy season, full of challenges.  Having the opportunity to get away and catch our breath was a blessing!  

But next week I will be headed to visit our brothers and sisters in the Dzaleka Refugee camp in Malawi, Africa.  Several of our refugee friends have been in touch and are looking forward to our visit.  I plan to post here and on the Malawi blog during our visit…dependent on access to the internet.  Stay tuned.

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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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Whiteboard

A big part of leadership, is discerning the direction to go and then moving people, resources, etc in that direction….going from “here to there”.  I actually like both parts; the discerning and the moving.  I also like whiteboards to try to capture thoughts, ideas, and direction.

That is what this week is about, as the IAFR US Executive team and the Service team meet in Minneapolis…discerning, planning, and moving.  I am also reminded this morning, as we jump into day 2, that this is not a frivolous exercise.  We are talking about millions of people who have been forcibly displaced.  People who are desperate for hope.  The challenges are large and the obstacles  many.  

But we have a big God and a great global team.