Refugee and Immigrant Support

The Hands and Feet of Christ: Venezuelans Find Hope in Colombia

aheckman — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 05:08:01 +0000

The Hands and Feet of Christ: Venezuelans Find Hope in Colombia aheckman Fri, 09/01/2023 - 05:08

The Hands and Feet of Christ: Venezuelans Find Hope in Colombia

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 – SANDRA MILENA PEÑA, NCM COLOMBIA

There are many Venezuelan families arriving week after week to Colombia in search of refuge, help, and the hope of starting a new life. Many flee from the violent situations and inequality at home, but above all, they flee from hunger. If they have the financial means, families arrive by bus. But those who have enough are few. In reality, the majority come by foot—with a backpack, their newborn babies, wives, husbands, uncles, grandparents, and anyone who can get out. They carry only what they need to survive, hoping to find help along the way. Tulio, who left Venezuela with his family, shared that it was not an easy decision to leave home.

“We left everything in Caracas, in Maracaibo, in Valencia,” he says. “Many of us leave even our souls: wives, husbands, children, parents, siblings, friends, our homes. The homeland.” The journey begins at the Simón Bolívar International Bridge, the most symbolic border point between Colombia and Venezuela. According to figures from Colombia Migration, some 70,000 Venezuelans cross the bridge on foot each day. Of these, five percent do not return to their country. After the bridge comes three days of walking before reaching the Picacho—part of a paramo, or an alpine ecosystem above the tree line, that spans more than 550 square miles. This is the place most feared by Venezuelan migrants, who come from coastal regions and do not know this beautiful and dramatic landscape. On the paramo, they suffer intense cold and very strong winds.

Across Colombia, Nazarene churches are responding to those who have made the journey. From providing support in hospitals to partnering with organizations who provide immigration aid, they are working together with those who have come in the name of Christ.

A significant percentage of the Venezuelan population works in the informal sector where they face unsafe conditions and have little protection. The pandemic further complicated the situation, restricting work possibilities, which increased the needs considerably. All these facts led us to question the church’s role while facing such a complex time and so much need. The Hechos 29 (Acts 29) Nazarene church took action thanks to a statement on Facebook and the diligence of the pastor regarding a great need of the Venezuelan migrant population in the village of Fagua. In this small village alone, there are more than 50 families in a state of vulnerability and extreme poverty. After understanding the needs, members of the church contributed to the purchase of items such as diapers, clothes, shoes, blankets, and more. The church was able to deliver items required to meet the basic needs of those who were living there, bringing a moment of hope in the midst of the pandemic. When the church visited the community again, the group gathered details about those who were living there, returning regularly and establishing further connections as well as sharing the Word of God.

When people move away from their countries, needs arise that make their stay a little more complex. Many of the Venezuelans who arrive in our area do not have documents, nor legal permits, which are important to be able to access a formal job, health services, and schools for children, among other things. And we as a church wondered: How can the church help at this point? We understood that we were not going to make it on our own, that we needed help to further reach the population, and that together we could create a solution to the bigger problem rather than just supplying primary needs.

Partnership was key. While NCM provided experience, training, and support, many other organizations were also engaged in the work. So, the local Nazarene church took action to contact local mayors in the area, governmental organizations, and foundations. These organizations have been the essential units in finding the solution to this situation thanks to their management and availability. They have been great allies and help for the immigrant population. As a result of this support, more than 200 families have been legalized. Now, they have the necessary documents and permits to work, with access to school for their children, access to free health care, programs for pregnant mothers, and government aid programs for mothers who are heads of households. Many have decided to stay in Colombia; others have decided to return to their country. As they go, they take with them spiritual tools to continue the journey with Christ.

Colombia

Migrants

Refugee and Immigrant Support

Refugee Support

From the Magazine

A Ministry of Presence at the Border

aheckman — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 15:57:10 +0000

A Ministry of Presence at the Border aheckman Wed, 03/08/2023 - 15:57

A Ministry of Presence at the Border

MARCH 8, 2023 · BY NMI STAFF

In Przemyśl, Poland, the global Church of the Nazarene has been responding since the onset of war in Ukraine.

When the war broke out, the first Nazarene responder at the Polish-Ukrainian border was a Syrian pastor, seeking ways to serve. Soon after, a team formed, putting out the call for volunteers to come and physically provide resources to the hundreds of thousands of people fleeing their homes.

In Arizona, USA, Ukrainian Ira Petersen immediately knew that she needed to go.

“The help ‘path’ was kind of obvious,” Ira says. “Get as close as possible to Ukraine and Ukrainians. I couldn’t just sit and watch from the distance when I could actually do something.” Through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries’ presence at the border train station in Przemyśl, Poland, Ira says, “God showed the direction and opened the door.”

Since then, a steady stream of Nazarenes from Ireland, France, Bulgaria, England, the United States, South Africa, and beyond have flowed from their homes toward the tiny train station flooded with people in crisis. Students, families, professors, nurses, farmers, and pastors have all found a place to serve those fleeing the danger of war. Some haul suitcases up and down hundreds of flights of stairs, providing a moment of relief from a heavy burden. Some brew pot after pot of steaming tea, offering warmth within bitterly cold outdoor lines to passport control. Some sit and color with the littlest travelers, giving weary moms the chance to recharge a phone or repack a bag or simply rest in a chair.

Whatever their role, these Nazarene believers are answering the call to provide the ministry of presence in a moment of pain.

“This group of people had their safety and humanity taken from them,” says Caleb Sandlin, who lives in Missouri, USA. “I chose to volunteer on the border because I believe that’s what Christ would have done. I chose to volunteer on the border because I am a servant of Christ, and I refuse to not share the love of Christ with those in need.”

Matteo Ricciardi, of Italy, knew the call for volunteers was meant for his own ears. “I was moved by God to help,” Matteo says. “When we pray that God gives us ways to serve him and opportunities like these come to our attention, the response can only be to commit one’s strength, invest one’s time, and share grace.”

“Here at the border,” Ira says, smiling, “We have people that speak English with many accents, Ukrainian, Russian, and a lot of different languages. But,” she continues, “the language of love, language of care—anybody who cares and loves, they know that language and they could show it, they could share it.”

Shared from NMI Central. Subscribe to this weekly update here.

Ukraine

Refugee and Immigrant Support

Breaking Down Barriers

aheckman — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 20:42:08 +0000

Breaking Down Barriers aheckman Thu, 02/09/2023 - 20:42

Breaking Down Barriers

FEBRUARY 9, 2023 · BY DENISE AND PHIL ANDERSON, CACTUS NAZARENE MINISTRY CENTER

Cactus, Texas, is a small town of about 3,100 people, a large number of whom are living as refugees or immigrants. The town is truly multicultural, with people from North and Central African countries, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Mexico.

In fact, it is this population of Cactus that encouraged the West Texas District Church of the Nazarene to start a compassionate ministry here. With so many different ethnicities in one small town, the socioeconomic, cultural, linguistic, and religious barriers have caused significant segregation, especially among those who are new to the area. It is this diversity and this segregation that inspired us to come together to build a community that is culturally diverse, trusting, loving, and mindful of one another. Cactus Nazarene Ministry Center (CNMC) was born.

One way we have found to foster community is through offering English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, which have been part of CNMC’s ministry since the beginning. Students from the community join a class based on their language level, and conversation practice in the advanced classes helps pique the students’ interest to learn more about one another. From the very first class, each student is encouraged to find a partner who can speak English with them.

Some of the staff have been recruited to sit and have one-on-one conversations, which often include asking about the student’s culture, language, family, and current life situations. The cultural diversity of our staff and the diversity of our students make this one-on-one time incredibly rich. Elsowar, a student from Sudan, explains that the very act of conversing helps build confidence and relationships.

“You can understand what they are talking about,” he explains. “Just being able to communicate with other people can help you develop relationships.”

Through the ministry, the desire is that each of us would grow to understand others better—that those in the classes would not simply learn a new language but come to realize the things we share. While learning English is part of job training and access, many students have also come to realize the benefits of simply being in class—learning a common language and getting to know one another. It also helps parents support their children academically, since the children’s homework is in English.

“We are now friends because we come to class together,” one student said. “I also am able to find more people to get to know from other countries at work, or at shops, and we can communicate in English if both people can speak it well.”

Teaching English is one of the holistic ministries we focus on as we serve the many cultures of Cactus. In the coming months, Cactus International Church, a church plant that will create another safe and inviting environment that promotes oneness, will open its doors. The new church will invite the many cultures of Cactus to be, live, and worship together.

“I am able to share about my culture with others, including the food and how I live,” another student shared. “If you have a common language, then there is good listening, good talking, good meeting with other people."

This story taken from the latest issue of NCM Magazine.

United States

From the Magazine

Compassion

Refugee and Immigrant Support

Add new comment

Love in Action in Panama

aheckman — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 17:47:49 +0000

Love in Action in Panama aheckman Thu, 01/12/2023 - 17:47

Love in Action in Panama

JANUARY 12, 2022 · AMY HECKMAN

In Panama, the Rio Abajo Church of the Nazarene created a compassionate outreach in the fall of 2022 called “Love in Action”. Their purpose was to serve the asylum-seeking and migrant population traveling throughout the country. Venezuelan families have formed the bulk of recent migrants moving through Panama, and in October of 2022, a change in asylum prospects for these families meant more were pausing and staying in Panama for extended periods of time. Some were waiting for flights and others were trying to figure out how to earn enough money to keep traveling or return to their country of origin. Church leaders realized that these adults and children desperately needed support while they waited.

A team of 35 volunteer church members set up stations in locations where migrants were staying in order to share and distribute hot meals, hygiene kits, medicine, milk and formula, diapers, and funds to assist with travel. Most importantly, the volunteers provided encouragement, taking time to pray with people looking for hope. Some of the volunteers also provided entertainment for children of the families they encountered.

Juan, an asylum seeker traveling with his wife, crossed paths with the volunteers in Panama. The journey had been hard on them both, and they were struggling emotionally and physically. The church offered to supply housing for the couple, giving them 20 days of refuge in the church building. When one of the local pastors shared the gospel message as part of this compassionate outreach, Juan and his wife decided to become followers of Christ. Church members noted how this caused an upturn in their spirits and health, almost immediately. Juan recently got back in touch with the volunteers to share that he and his wife ended up returning to their home country. They joined their local Nazarene church, and have even been able to start a new business.

One leader explained that the Rio Abajo church was looking for a deeper way to serve when they chose to reach out to the migrant community. “We developed some small projects, but we felt that God called us to something deeper,” he shared. “God used this opportunity to get us out of [our] comfort and show us that He has great purposes.”

In addition to supporting people on the move, the Love in Action project is also making inroads in caring for people who are living without homes and those enduring long stays in hospital waiting rooms.

“God longs and desires to embrace the most vulnerable, but it is through His church that he can do it,” said the leader. “In other words, we must carry the greatest commandment from loving your neighbor to immediate action, [and] that is love in action.”

Panama

Refugee and Immigrant Support

Compassion

Add new comment

Reflections: The Border After Violence

aheckman — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 17:55:03 +0000

Reflections: The Border After Violence aheckman Thu, 10/13/2022 - 17:55

Reflections: The Border After Violence

OCTOBER 13, 2022 · TEANNA SUNBERG

Teanna Sunberg, a missionary with the Church of the Nazarene who serves, along with her husband Jay, as the Field Strategy Coordinator team in Central Europe, has been leading the Nazarene response to Ukrainian refugees at the Polish-Ukrainian border since the war in Ukraine started last February.

Tuesday, October 11. Przemyśl, Poland.

I’ve heard the following reports from our neighbors in Ukraine—

A Nazarene family watched and heard a rocket streak by their apartment building at 6:30 this morning. It detonated in the city center of Kyiv.
The daily train from Kyiv to Przemyśl, Poland, was significantly delayed. We’ve heard unconfirmed reports that it left the station just minutes before a rocket detonated.
We’ve also had unconfirmed reports of a medical team that left Ukraine by car just 30 minutes before the rockets hit Kyiv.

The line of people returning to Ukraine today is very short, as people are trying to avoid going back during a time of increased violence. We’ve also seen a significant increase in people bringing children, most babies and toddlers, out of Ukraine since Monday.

Our team of Nazarene volunteers at the border went in search of large teapots to be ready to give hot tea out to people. We suspect there might be large numbers of people arriving at the border in the next few days. However, just as possibly, people may shelter in place, resulting in lower numbers at the train station. Either way, volunteers with Courage for the Journey, the refugee ministry of NCM Polska, are there and serving.

I’ve spent parts of my day with young Ukrainians who do not want to be alone today. We are doing a lot of talking, trying to process questions for which none of us have any answers. The bombings today are triggers for many who lived through the invasion on February 24. This is significant trauma.

Even when the news cycle forgets to update about Ukraine, Iran, or North Africans seeking freedom, autonomy, and their voice—it doesn’t mean the war is over or that people are safe. In addition, even though the war in Ukraine might seem to be a long way away, the effects actually reach far beyond the country’s borders. These attacks targeted the Ukrainian energy grid, but the rest of the world is experiencing the effects in the form of food and energy availability.

Courage for the Journey relies on volunteers to care for travelers at the border. We have been sobered, encouraged, and touched by the number of volunteers who have asked if they can serve. These volunteers have ranged from ages 19 to 70 and have been a mix of Americans and Europeans, including people from Ukraine, Bulgaria, Croatia, and the United Kingdom. Most are lay people who volunteer for a few weeks, but some have served full-time for several months. Their ministry includes providing a safe space for women and children to rest, help securing train tickets, assistance carrying luggage, and providing food and water, and offering listening ears and spiritual support.

This team of volunteers, and those they are caring for, need your prayers.

Pray for peace. Our hope is in Christ.

Want to help with refugees at the border?

Volunteers are especially needed to serve in Przemyśl during the months of January and February—email tsunberg@eurasiaregion.org to learn more and apply.

Refugees

Refugee and Immigrant Support

Ukraine

Add new comment

The Christmas Project: Shahpur's Story

aheckman — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 21:06:26 +0000

The Christmas Project: Shahpur's Story aheckman Thu, 12/16/2021 - 21:06

The Christmas Project: Shahpur's Story

DECEMBER 16, 2021 · NCM STAFF

Today, read about a boy and his father who connected with caring Nazarene volunteers while living in a refugee camp in Serbia. The Courage for the Journey project cares for adults and children living as refugees across several European countries.

All over the world, children are caught in economic crises, famines, conflict, and more. More than 80 million people around the world have been forcibly displaced from their homes as a result of persecution, conflict, and violence. Of those who are displaced, more than a third are children.

This year’s Christmas Project will provide spiritual, educational, physical, and emotional care to children who are caught up in crises in Bangladesh, Venezuela, Jordan, Lebanon, and across Europe.

~~~

Shahpur*, 8, has lived in refugee camps for most of his life. Forced to leave their home in Afghanistan six years ago, Shahpur and his father, mother, and older brother began their journey through multiple countries to seek asylum in a safe place. The family has walked for much of their journey from Afghanistan to Greece, stopping along the way for Shahpur’s father, Mansor*, to work temporary jobs.

After living in a refugee camp in Greece for about a year, Shahpur’s mother and older brother travelled ahead to Germany. There, Shahpur’s mother acquired a five-year visa and is working to establish a home for the family.

Shortly after his mother and brother left for Germany, Shahpur was struck by a motorcycle. Mansor rushed Shahpur to the nearest hospital, but was refused treatment due to Mansor’s status as a refugee and lack of insurance. When a different hospital agreed to treat Shahpur, he remained there fifty days while healing from his injuries.

Once Shahpur became strong, he and his father resumed their journey. They crossed through North Macedonia and stopped at a refugee camp in Serbia. There they met a group of Nazarenes who minister to children living as refugees by offering tutoring services, teaching them to play musical instruments, and providing essential items such as food and clothing. The group also shares the gospel.

Moved by the message of Jesus, Shahpur’s father, Mansor, accepted Christ into his life and was baptized by ministers at the refugee camp. Soon after, Mansor and Shahpur moved within the camp to live in the building where the center operates. Now, they live right next door to the room where the group worships and holds bible studies, often lending a hand to prepare the space for services.

Life has not been easy for Shahpur since his father became a Christian. Some men from the refugee camp became angry with Mansor for his conversion and attacked him while he and Shahpur were in the city. Shahpur watched helplessly as men pulled his father off the city bus, beat him, and stole his wallet containing money and his asylum-seeker identification card. The attack, knowledge of the political climate in their home country, and the separation of the family have distressed Shahpur and Mansor.

Shahpur and Mansor have lived in Serbia for about a year, now. Nazarenes serving at the refugee camp hope to see the two reunite with Shahpur’s mother and brother in Germany, but with the absence of a passport, travel has become more difficult.

Like many children, Shahpur loves to play games on his dad’s phone and drink sodas. Much of his childhood, however, has been unsettled by transition and crisis. Connecting with the ministry center at the refugee camp in Serbia has offered Shahpur and Mansor a sense of community and hope.

*Names are changed for protection.

Learn more about and give to support the Christmas Project here.

Refugees

Refugee Support

Refugee and Immigrant Support

children and youth

Christmas Project

Add new comment

So You Want To Know About Global Migration: Part Three

aheckman — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 15:15:31 +0000

So You Want To Know About Global Migration: Part Three aheckman Wed, 11/10/2021 - 15:15

So You Want To Know About Global Migration: Part Three

Missed the first two parts of this series? Read it now here and here.

How can people of faith show compassion to refugees and immigrants?

In Poland, a group of Nazarene volunteers are answering this very question. The refugee-response team has made a practice of visiting two of the ten reception centers housing asylum seekers in Poland. The group regularly visits centers near Warsaw and the border with Belarus. During their visits, the team provides encouragement to the residents, builds relationship, and distributes food and supplies. Asylum seekers in these centers come from places like Iraq, the Chechen Republic, and various African nations. More recently, evacuees from Afghanistan have arrived to the centers.

Polish refugee reception center

“Why do you help us? We are Muslim and you are Christian,” asked one asylum seeker. Majid*, a man from Iraq, fled his homeland to seek safety in Europe. His question opened the door for volunteers to explain what motivates them. “Jesus loves us and we love people,” they replied. “No matter who they are.” Over time, Majid came to trust the volunteers and even attended some church services with them. The entire team mourned when he passed away unexpectedly soon after, a reminder of how precious these relationships are to the volunteers.

At the end of August, the team distributed backpacks and school supplies to 16 children in the center near Warsaw. When evacuees from Afghanistan arrived to the centers in recent weeks, the team was grateful to find a translator who could communicate with the evacuees while they distributed much-needed food. One volunteer described their message: “Through [the] translator, we were able to tell them that it is God's love to them and we are praying for them,” she shared.

Volunteers distributing school supplies

According to the European Council on Refugees and Exiles, the reception sites in Poland are located in difficult-to-access areas, often requiring long walks for those living there to reach public transportation or available jobs. Their remote locations combined with restrictions on the numbers of allowed outside visitors can make integration into a new culture more difficult for reception center residents. By regularly visiting the centers with aid and offering friendship, this group of Nazarene volunteers is closing the gap between people who come from very different backgrounds.

Residents at the reception center

RESOURCES FOR CHURCHES

With hundreds of millions of people around the world who have left their countries to establish new homes in new cultures, the opportunity is great for churches to extend welcome and support in Jesus’ name.

In the United States, advocacy groups like We Welcome have sprung up to encourage Christians to live out scripture’s call to care for outsiders and “the stranger” (Matthew 25:31-45).
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries has prepared a document to help guide faith communities as they respond to the immigrants in their local area. This document provides practical ideas for responses and guiding principles for churches to consider as they choose to engage. This resource and others can be found on our website.
Authors Matthew Soerens and Jenny Yang from World Relief, a Christian refugee resettlement agency, have authored a book for Christians looking to learn more about immigration from a biblical perspective. “Welcoming the Stranger” can also be used as a group study.
The Evangelical Immigration Table provides discipleship resources for churches on the topic of immigration and advocates for just immigration policies consistent with biblical values.
The United States is in the process of welcoming thousands of evacuees from Afghanistan, and this recent blog from Nazarene Compassionate Ministries provides ideas for how churches can work to meet the needs of evacuees and resettlement organizations.

SHARE YOUR STORY

Is your church standing with refugees, migrants, or other types of immigrants in your community? We’d love to hear how you are extending welcome and hospitality to your new neighbors. Drop us a note to share your story.

*Name is changed for protection.

Refugee and Immigrant Support

Refugee Support

Refugees

Add new comment

Refugee Crisis: Small Group Lessons (Youth)

admin — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 09:07:31 +0000

Refugee Crisis: Small Group Lessons (Youth) admin Thu, 06/03/2021 - 09:07

Refugee Crisis: Small Group Lessons (Youth)

A resource from the Nazarene Publishing House for Sunday Schools and Small Groups.

Media Type

pdf

Download

Refugee Crisis: Small Group Lessons (Adult)

admin — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 09:06:14 +0000

Refugee Crisis: Small Group Lessons (Adult) admin Thu, 06/03/2021 - 09:06

Refugee Crisis: Small Group Lessons (Adult)

A resource from the Nazarene Publishing House for Sunday Schools and Small Groups.

Media Type

pdf

Download

Learning to Welcome the Stranger

admin — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 09:05:21 +0000

Learning to Welcome the Stranger admin Thu, 06/03/2021 - 09:05

Learning to Welcome the Stranger

Simple ways to connect with and meet immigrants and refugees around you.

Media Type

pdf

Download

Refugee and Immigrant Support

The Hands and Feet of Christ: Venezuelans Find Hope in Colombia

Most Popular Blogs

Tags

A Ministry of Presence at the Border

Most Popular Blogs

Tags

Breaking Down Barriers

Add new comment

Most Popular Blogs

Tags

Love in Action in Panama

Add new comment

Most Popular Blogs

Tags

Reflections: The Border After Violence

Add new comment

Most Popular Blogs

Tags

The Christmas Project: Shahpur's Story

Add new comment

Most Popular Blogs

Tags

So You Want To Know About Global Migration: Part Three

Add new comment

Most Popular Blogs

Tags

Refugee Crisis: Small Group Lessons (Youth)

Refugee Crisis: Small Group Lessons (Adult)

Learning to Welcome the Stranger