By Janee Angel, CBF field personnel
When you work with people from the Middle East, the world always seems filled with tension. The news came that the Syrian president had left the country in December. Refugees from there who have just arrived in Europe are feeling the fear. European countries see this as a positive move for the wounded land and so they want to send the people back. In fact, there were photos of those lined up at the Turkish border waiting to go back in. But safety and order cannot be naturally assumed.
Christians, who were already the minority at 10% of the population before the war began, are losing their freedom. Especially the women are now told how to dress and when to leave the house. No one is certain what the future will hold.
As our churches gather to pray for the land, protection for those still there is at the top of the list. And then safety and refuge for those who are out but were waiting on identity cards and residency papers in new countries is next.
What do we tell the Christian family with a 5-year-old son who are still in a refugee camp? What will his future be? Will he get sent back to a life of war and violence? What about the newlyweds who thought their lives would be romantic and fun at this phase? They can’t go back. Or the friend who seeks a way out for every one of her family members still inside? Who will welcome the refugee now? Or the one who chose life in her spiritual life, but that decision could end with death?
Europe seems to have frozen all their paperwork and application process as they wait and see what will happen next in the region of strife and turmoil. But that leaves so many feeling alone, rejected and fearful of the future.
We have recently come out of the Christmas season. We spend time remembering the child, Jesus, Mary and Joseph becoming refugees in Egypt. God had a plan. In fact, the political chaos surrounding Jesus’ birth would help to fulfill the prophecy “out of Egypt, I called my Son”. (My Egyptian friends LOVE this verse!)
It makes me wonder what the response of the world will be to those who need refuge now. I wonder what the prayerful response of Christians worldwide will be. I wonder what this political chaos might be doing to bring about the will of God. I lay awake wondering so many things.
And finally I wonder, have you prayed for refugees today.