Miles of Hope

No one could have predicted the military conflict in a neighboring country that forced its citizens to surge across the border to safety. Our town of 25,000 people more than quadrupled in a matter of days. Almost overnight, once quiet streets flooded with Muslim refugees, many going door-to-door asking for help.

Our community was unprepared to meet the needs of these refugees, who suffered from injuries and were desperate for shelter as the rainy season started. My family gave out grain and soap to anyone who asked, but our resources quickly dwindled. We even purchased tarps to help a few families build temporary homes, but that only drew more people to us.

The trouble may have started a country away, but it followed the refugees to our doorstep.

Although the humanitarian crisis stretched for miles around us, God reminded us that the spiritual crisis in our midst was even greater.

We spent day after day serving and giving. After many sleepless nights wondering how we could keep up with the demand, we came to a discouraging realization.

We couldn’t.

Even with everyone on our Frontiers team working and sacrificing, we weren’t able to do it all. But we agreed to be faithful in prayer and to do what we sensed the Lord was asking us to.

Although the humanitarian crisis stretched for miles around us, God reminded us that the spiritual crisis in our midst was even greater.

Immediately, we shifted our focus to providing the intangible things that many refugees never asked for. A listening ear. A shoulder to cry on. Hope.

In our time of need, He multiplied our faith and strengthened His Kingdom.

An unexpected blessing amongst the stories of trauma was the opportunity to connect with several secret believers. In the face of so much hurt and loss, we were refreshed by the opportunities to pray for and encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ. We even invited them to study the Word with us, and they eagerly agreed.

One day, several of us were gathered at our tiny local church when a knock sounded at the door. I opened it and saw a man I didn’t recognize.

My chest grew tight, and I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, unsure if he would be hostile toward our group. Finally, I greeted him. “Hello. Can I help you?”

He didn’t respond right away, the conflict evident in his eyes. Then in a deep voice, he said, “I would like to know what your holy book says, and what you believe.”

Relief washed over me as I invited him in to study the Injil with us.

Since that day, more Muslims have asked me about Jesus, some of whom are now regularly studying the Bible with us. Our team is in awe of the Lord and how He works.

We have finite resources, but an infinite God. In our time of need, He multiplied our faith and strengthened His Kingdom. What the enemy intended for evil, God is using for good.

I know one day life will return to normal. These refugees will move to a more permanent location, and the pace of our daily life will slow. Yet things will not be the same. I am confident that when they go, they will carry the truth of the Gospel with them, and that gives me miles of hope.

Pray:

• Pray that Frontiers teams will have wisdom when responding to the physical and spiritual needs around them.
• Pray that new believers will boldly share the name of Jesus with their friends and neighbors.
• Pray that refugees will have the opportunity to hear the Gospel and make the Lord their refuge.