Our ministry

Ministry to refugees is an important role for the church. We are commissioned to aid those in need. Many are sick, most lack shelter, food, clothing and other essentials of life, and often victimized. From a strategic viewpoint, it is often far easier to minister to refugees in more open nations than their original homelands, that are fraught with restrictions and conflict. Ministry to refugees ranges from providing donations of food, clothing and shelter, medical care, vocational skills training, evangelism and pastoral care, to name a few.

A good starting place is to contact your Government Department for Ethnic Affairs, the office of the UNHCR, plus the embassies of the nations already mentioned that are situated in your country. Inquire about the needs of refugees within their borders and how you can help. You can also contact large relief organizations such as Youth With A Mission, World Vision, Compassion International and many others, plus your own denomination’s relief arm. They can provide excellent leads and opportunities of where and how you can get involved.

The plight of women refugees

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has identified that of the 27 million refugees in the world, 80% are women and their dependent children. The needs of all refugees is heartbreaking but refugee women face particular hardship with poor living conditions, poverty and the lack of access to relief projects. In addition, refugee women face physical and emotional hardships such as isolation, discrimination, sexual violence and exploitation. Women are often left powerless and unable to rebuild their lives afresh.

Often a lack of understanding by relief workers (most of which are male) to the cultural and religious issues highlight the problems faced by many refugee women. One example of this was in a refugee camp and subsequent building of latrines. Latrines for both men and women were placed in the one area of the camp. It was not until some time later that it was noticed that the women were refusing to use the facilities provided. Upon asking the reason it was discovered that it was not possible for a Muslim woman to use a latrine where she would risk meeting men not from her immediate family.

In another camp it was observed that women were not able to approach the areas where food and supplies were being distributed because the women risked being exposed to non-family members.

Only those women who had a husband or older son were provided for. Many women lose their husbands and fathers as a result of war and conflicts. This disintegration of the family unit leaves the woman as the sole member responsible for generating income, providing shelter, finding food, firewood and water. These tasks are often complicated by the fact that women are excluded from the decision making process and leadership structures of their environment.

In the past few years relief agencies have begun to recognise the specific needs of refugee women and are dedicating relief and development resources to them such as gender awareness programs and special protection arrangements.

Reaching Muslim refugee women with the Gospel is not an easy task. There is a huge need for Christian women to work among the world’s refugee women.

Pray for refugees around the Muslim world

* Pray that those Muslims in need would find comfort and provision through Jesus Christ.

* Pray for the refugees that are you are aware of, ask God to meet their daily needs, and pray for the church to reach out in love and real concern. (Ps.86:1-8)

* Pray for the workers who are ministering God’s love among refugees and to know His leading as to how to share the Good News of Jesus.

* Pray that our own hearts will be moved with compassion to seek out our own involvement in meeting the needs of refugees. (Prov.17:5)

* Pray for mothers who have the added responsibilities of caring for their children in harsh and tragic circumstances (Psalm 9:9-10).

* Pray for women who are separated from their husbands, and for widows, that they would know God’s grace and comfort (Isaiah 54:5-7).

* Pray for those women who have suffered violation and shame, that they would experience restoration, healing and honor from God (Psalm 69:19 – 20).

* Pray for Refugee Women and refugee issues around the Muslim world.

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Political leaders and religious figures of some Muslim countries deny the presence of HIV / AIDS in their nations, claiming their immunity to the virus. This attitude stems from Qu’ranic teachings prohibiting sex before and outside of marriage, homosexual behavior, and intravenous drug use. The unrelenting refusal to acknowledge the HIV crisis adversely affects the people contracting, living, and dying of HIV and AIDS in Muslim communities.

Consider these HIV / AIDS instances:

Abdul tests positive for HIV. He is beaten unconscious by his brothers and then disowned because of the shame he brought on his family. Abdul’s story is not uncommon among the Muslim community. The possibility of persecution keeps many from getting tested for HIV. Without this knowledge, they continue to unknowingly spread the disease to others.

The nature of Islamic belief adds to the complexity of the problem. Because women are perceived as a temptation, men and women have minimal interaction and communication. There is a culture of silence surrounding sexual practices and education. Such attempts at maintaining morality ironically often encourage additional sexual corruption in the Muslim community.

Reshma and HIV / AIDS

Reshma lives on the street. Her daughter’s weak cry fills the air. She was married and lived in an affluent neighbourhood. One year ago Reshma’s husband died. Six months later when her daughter was born, Reshma found out she was HIV positive. Blamed for her husband’s death, Reshma was forced to leave home. She is now suffering from AIDS, unable to care for herself or her daughter. This burden of blame often falls upon the woman despite the fact that the husband’s infidelity led to his being exposed to HIV.

HIV / AIDS Statistics

* 25 million children will be orphans by 2010 because of AIDS (called AIDS orphans). Africa has 12 million AIDS Orphans.

* 2.9 million people died from AIDS last year; nearly half a million were children under the age of 15

* 4.8 million people were newly infected with HIV last year; that’s 14,000 a day!

* 38 million people are currently living with HIV/AIDS

* 70 million deaths from AIDS are estimated in the next 20 years

(Sources: UNAIDS/WHO 2006 Report on the global AIDS epidemic – opens a new window.)

Pray for AIDS and HIV victims

* Victims like Abdul and Reshma – that they would fully experience compassion and as a result, the message of Christ would penetrate their hearts. Believers to provide scripture-based counselling and support before, during, and after HIV testing.

* Key leaders in Muslim countries/communities who have a great deal of power and influence to acknowledge HIV and provide education, treatment and support for victims.

* Children orphaned by AIDS deaths and children with HIV to know God as their heavenly father and to be “cared for in their distress” (James 1:27; Ps. 68:5).

* The development and implementation of character-based programs in Muslim communities promoting abstinence and trust in God’s design for sexual fulfilment.

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The Crisis

Of all of the areas in need around the world, the plight of children is one of the most needy. Millions of children around the world suffer from neglect, abuse and exploitation. Currently 100 million children are homeless, one million young girls enter prostitution each year, 1.2 million children have HIV.

In crisis and refugee situations, the needs of children are particularly poignant. In a war, the social structures of families is broken down and it is the children who generally suffer the most. Refugee children are often needed to take on added responsibilities in the family and often become the breadwinners or care for younger children. Living conditions in refugee camps can cause long-term physical, mental and emotional problems in children. Lack of food and basic hygiene causes high mortality rates among children.

Kids in War

The United Nations has estimated that there are approximately 300,000 children under the age of 18 years who are actively engaged in military conflict around the world. Some are volunteers but most are forcefully recruited or kidnapped. Armed troops use children as messengers and spies or for manual labour such as cooks, cleaners, and porters. In countries, like Somalia or Afghanistan, children are often used in armed conflict. The protection of children in war torn regions has become a high priority of the UN and aid agencies in recent years and it is now considered a war crime to enlist children in military conflict under the age of 15 years.

Orphans

Of all the children in the Muslim world, the most vulnerable are those who are orphaned or separated from their families. In a war, children are often sent away to avoid conscription into the army or are sent to another country for safety. When children flee on their own separated or sent away from their families, they are exposed to high levels of risk of exploitation and assault. Orphans, or separated children, are often detained in refugee camps for prolonged periods of time while officials try to trace their parents or confirm their orphan status.

Separation

During the Iran / Iraq War boys were sent out in front of the troops dressed in white robes to explode land mines. The children knew they were going to their deaths and were told that they would go straight to Paradise. In Africa, 9 out of 10 refugees are women and children. The strict separation of men and women from the age of puberty means that children are further isolated from hearing the Good News, particularly girls.

God’s heart is that children may know the Father and have the opportunity to fulfill His purposes for their lives. If we are to see the Muslim world reached for Christ we must see this generation reached with the Gospel.

Education

Education and vocational training are crucial for children and young adults. However, poverty and war will rob children of the most basic education. Currently there is an estimated 140 million children unable to attend school. Education not only provides children with the skills to lead a productive life but also aids in protecting them against exploitation or forced military recruitment.

Reaching Out

In Matthew 18:10, Jesus directly commands us not to look away from the children. More than half of the Muslim world is under the age of 15 years of age. To date there is very little work being done in specifically reaching Muslim children. If we are to reach the Muslim world with the Gospel then reaching Muslim children must become a priority for the Body of Christ.

Reaching children must become a priority for any Christian work in Muslim nations. Approximately half of the Muslims of the world are under the age of 15 years.

A child will learn proportionately more in the first 5 years than he will during the remainder of his life. The way he approaches life, people, God, his values, habits and character are largely formed in these early years. By the time he is 12 his personality is established. Most children will make life-shaping faith decisions before they reach their late teens. How then can we possibly hope to reach the Muslim world without focusing our attention and energy into reaching Muslim children.

Pray for Exploited Children

* Pray for Muslim children. Their needs are the same as your own (Philippians 4:19).

* Pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit among Muslim children, particularly those in restricted access nations (Matthew 19:14).

* Pray for young Muslim boys and girls who are currently denied access to education. Ask God to provide opportunities for them to go to school.

* Pray for orphaned children to know the Father.

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Great Pain

It is certain that these last five years has seen the Muslim world groaning in great pain. The Afghan and Iraq wars, the Bam Earthquake were already very difficult experiences for several nations in 2001 – 2003. Then during 2004 and 2005 the Indian Ocean Tsunami and the huge earthquake in Kashmir only showed us the reality of our fragile world. Before the forces of nature we and our civilisation are not much stronger than an egg shell which breaks. There may be other significant events before this booklet actually arrives in your hands.

* Afghan conflict and Iraq War : The casualties number in the tens of thousands. The actual numbers may never be known.

* Tsunami : 130,000 Muslim Indonesians died. About 200,000 houses, 1,900 schools, and countless businesses were also destroyed.

* Kashmir earthquake : 80,000+ dead, 106,000+ injured, possibly 3,000,000 homeless.

* The daily struggle to recover from these events continues for many.

* The May 2006 Java earthquake : 6,000+ deaths and hundreds of thousands homeless.

Prayer requests:

For Christians, God is our very present help in a time of trouble (Ps. 46:1). Let us pray for the millions of people affected by these events that they would see the salvation of our God. Try to pray as specifically as possible for the various relief efforts that you may know about. Pray for people to encounter God in their distress. Ask God to guide you if there are other practical things you can do to be a partial answer to the pain and suffering of Muslims.

Please pray for the needs of Muslim people affected by these tragedies:

Many have lost father and mothers.
Many have lost their children.
Many have lost their entire living family.
Many have lost their homes.
Many have lost their jobs.
Many no longer have schools.
Many no longer have their best friends.
Many have lost their health.
Many have lost limbs.
Many have lost their sight.
Many still lack appropriate food.
Many still lack medicines.
Many have lost their doctor.
Many have lost their favorite teacher.
Many are ruined financially.
Many have lost their family inheritance.
Many have seen horrible deaths before their eyes.
Many have seen rivers of blood.
Many have seen anger.
Many are angry.
Many have known bitterness.
Many are hurting.
Many have lost hope.

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Today, the world will increase by 230,000 people. With the world’s population increasing by approximately 84 million people each year the demand on once readily available resources means that more and more of the world’s population become victims to the lack of basic needs such as shelter, food and water. Today, 98% of the world’s population growth is in the developing world. In a list of the world’s poorest nations, Muslim nations, such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Indonesia, make up almost half.

Access to clean and safe water has become one of the greatest needs on the planet. Inadequate infrastructure has resulted in one quarter of the developing world, more than one billion people, from being able to access clean water. Almost ten million people die each year from water-related illnesses such as cholera.

The world is full of hungry people. Approximately 20% of the developing world is chronically undernourished. There are literally millions of hungry children, with 19,000 dying each day from starvation.

More than 99% of all our food comes from the land, with rice, corn and wheat providing at least 80% of food worldwide. 70% of agriculture is devoted to cereal crops.

More than half the world’s labour force is involved in farming, yet even with healthy crops the global food supply still falls short. Agriculture requires more water than any other activity and accounts for 80% of the total global water usage.

Nutritionally, the sub-Saharan region of Africa is one of the worst effected areas despite its’ rich volcanic soil. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation one of the reasons is because the majority of African farmers cannot afford adequate seed or tools. An entire family farm will own just one hoe.

War and military conflict add to the problems of hunger. In one central African country a flood of refugees fleeing civil war devoured the food supply of an entire region leaving the local villagers hungry. It took a full 2 years of hard labour to harvest another crop. However, that crop was then stolen by soldiers.

While governments and aid-agencies provide assistance, one of the greatest needs is for political stability. Military conflict and landmines leave farming areas barren wastelands, farmers become soldiers, refugees swarm and settle like locusts. The issues concerning whether or not the world can feed itself is almost entirely a political one.

Numbers of Poor and Needy

There are more than 2 billion people suffering ongoing poverty and hardship every day. According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees there are over 23 million refugees and a further 26 million displaced within their own countries. The United Nations Centre for Human Settlement estimate that one in every four people on earth live in urban slums.

Within the 60 poorest nations of the world live 60% of the Muslim world. 75% of the world’s refugees come from Muslim nations. More than half of the world’s poor and needy are Muslims.

There are many reasons why suffering occurs and a variety of responses. We, as Christians, must stop and listen to the cries of the poor and needy and be able to respond as Jesus would. Let us not be overwhelmed, but let us be moved with compassion. Relying on God’s strength and motivated by God’s heart we are to be people of mercy, a people of justice, and a people of faith!

Where is the hope for the Poor and Needy?

Many people think of Muslims as rich oil sheiks or religious fanatics, portrayed regularly by the world’s media. However, most Muslims are actually poor and struggle to meet their daily needs. The majority of nations with the worst basic health conditions are also predominately Muslim.

Women and children bear the brunt of the forces of poverty and malnutrition. However, there are many men who attempt to provide for their families under these harsh conditions and should not be forgotten.

Although there are many reasons for poverty within the Muslim world, a major reason is the hopelessness that often grips their lives. “Where there is no revelation the people cast off restraint.” (Proverbs 29:18). As restraint is cast off many fall into the clutches of sin that affects their life, their families, their community, and their nation. In the absolutely worst cases, men stop providing for their family and work only to provide for themselves. While on the other hand desperate parents sell their daughters for unimaginable exploitations such as prostitution and slavery. Often the eldest child is pushed out of the house at a young age, making the child extremely vulnerable to the elements of a corrupt society. Fearful parents marry their daughters at a young age to avoid the possibility of the girl not being a virgin on her wedding night and so that they do not have to provide for her any longer. The ugly face of poverty creates and contributes to a variety of woes so hideous that only our heavenly Father can bear their pain.

Yet even as we consider the incredible need among the poor and needy, we can still have immense hope, for in Christ God has given us the answer. There is no doubt that the Kingdom of God can come to each and every poor Muslim community. God wants to release programs for every social ill, plans to solve every individual problem, and compassionate Christian workers for every people group! Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send forth workers for each of these nations who have such immense needs.

Pray for the poor and needy of the Muslim world

* Pray for the millions of Muslims who are both physically and spiritually hungry (John 4:7-14).

* Pray for those Muslims who are suffering physical hardship as a result of a lack of basic shelter, food and water (Isaiah 58:6-7).

* Pray for undernourished Muslim children, particularly those in North and Sub-Sahara Africa (Jeremiah 14:22).

* Pray for real solutions to the political crisis affecting many Muslim nations (Jeremiah 17:5-8).

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