I am beyond humbled and grateful my friend Katie from Kangacoo.com is here today sharing her heart on the current global refugee crisis. Here is how hope can truly change the world!
Here’s the deal. I’m calling a spade a spade. Syrians need help. The same Syrians who celebrated in the streets on 9/11. The same Syrians who meet regularly to denounce the USA in public forums. The same Syrians who would probably turn their backs if US citizens were the refugees. Our enemy is now under our feet and we have a choice. Stomp on them, or extend our hand.
Fear grips my bleeding heart as I watch mothers carrying their young run from pursuing police through corn fields. Risking everything to get across a border in hope of some sort of future. Any future. Literally running for her life and the life of her children. But there next to her running is her husband. Head of the household. Enforcer of hatred against Americans.
Or maybe he’s just as desperate for hope. Maybe he has no energy left for hatred when all he can do is try to survive. When all he had was devoured in ISIS gunfire and bombing. When the only way to prevent his son from being forced to join ISIS was to flee.
Maybe his hatred can be reformed by hope. Maybe the only way he ever could have heard the truth of the gospel was to be forced from his country. Will we now deny him the opportunity to know Jesus because he lives in sin? Did Jesus not say He came for the sinners in this world?
This refugee tragedy pushes on nerves and stretches faith. Be stretched. It makes you dependent on God. But don’t look away. Look to the Bible. #bethechurch #wewelcomerefugees
“Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,”
Proverbs 24:17
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.”
Proverbs 25:21
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
Romans 12:14
“Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.”
Colossians 1:21 NIV
What does Jesus have to say about it?
““But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,”
Luke 6:27 NIV
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
Matthew 5:44 NIV
This is why refugees are fleeing their countries in our world. NOT because they are terrorists wanting to get to the US but because they refuse to join the terrorists taking over their own towns.
If you are wondering how to help the men, women, and children you have just read about, bless you! Here are some details:
If you’d like to help Syrian refugees stranded on the Greek Island of Lesvos, see the list below, and mail to:
Hellenic Postal Office of Mythymna
℅ The Captain’s Table
Molyvos 81108, Lesvos, Greece
ITEMS TO SEND for SYRIAN REFUGEES on GREEK ISLAND OF LESVOS:
Sneakers, gym shoes for men, women and children (all sizes) are a HIGH PRIORITY
Sweatpants of all sizes.
Briefs/underwear for men, women and children (all sizes)
Men’s trousers (small, medium and large) and shoes
Baby powder milk
Any non-perishables like nut butters or other long-lasting foods.
Diapers
Feminine products
Sleeping bags
Plastic to cover the floor/for shade
Tents/tarpaulin
Mats (camping or yoga mats)
Hats and caps for sunshade (adults and children/light colours because of the sun)
Electric Plug for multiple devices (european voltage)
Please visit wewelcomerefugees.com for more information on how you can support refugees globally. You can also read this blog full of fantastic resources. You may be surprised at what they need and what they don’t need. Lastly I couldn’t recommend reading this book highly enough – preemptive love: pursuing peace one heart at a time is a personal account of the Courtney family and the Preemptive Love Coalition, as they help children obtain lifesaving surgeries in Iraq using one simple but powerful tool: a love that strikes first.
Please share this post by clicking the easy share buttons below – Many want to help but don’t know how. Thank you friends!
Thank you for this Sybil. THANK YOU. What an incredibly convicting message you share… We are God’s Hands and Feet!! For ALL who are hurting. May we heed your passionate plea… may we all see the humanity in these refugees and have God’s heart for them…
I missed your first sentence!! Thank you for having Katie share such a poignant message… 🙂 I shared!!!
YES. Thank you for these words, that have been sitting, growing in my own heart. Yes.
Oh this is good. I’ve had an achy heart on this matter lately.
Hi Sybil, thanks for sharing my blog too. 🙂
Great post! That is exactly how we should react!