The Global Movement of People

The past few months have been a whirl-wind of changing plans and spontaneous ventures, although Papa seems to be heavily involved in guiding every step we take. Following two months of missions school in Mozambique, Chloe and I set out for Blackpool, England. Our plan, along with our small team of graduates, was to spend three weeks ministering to the poor and homeless who call this sea-side town home. 

Papa apparently had other plans. After being denied entry into the UK due to not having the ‘required’ volunteer visa, we miraculously found ourselves on our way to France. In a few short days, our outreach co-ordinators happened to know someone, who knew someone, who had heard of something that was going on in France, and so incredibly, connection with three different ministries was made and we were set to go. 

I’m not going to go into detail, but I just want to make a point of emphasising just how unlikely this whole journey was. I was absolutely convinced that God had His hand upon us and was directing our path. For some reason He didn’t want us in Blackpool, He wanted us in France instead, so He miraculously made sure we got there. 

So here it is. 

Our team spent two weeks in Calais, Northern France, where we hung out with refugees predominantly from the Middle East and North Africa. Nine out of the ten most persecuted countries (for Christians, according to Open Doors World Watch List) were represented in the camp, known as the Jungle. It is home to over 9,000 men, women and children, with Sudan and Afghanistan being the most represented countries.

Our main ministry was with Mr T, a big red van decked out to serve 500 teas and coffees every day. While the hot drinks were being prepared and served, the rest of the team were scattered around the back of the van playing games with the refugees. The favourites included chess, scrabble, uno, jenga and connect four. There were also two guitars floating around, along with a mostly functioning accordion, and occasionally a ukulele or two. 

The games provided a great way to build relationship with the refugees, as it provided a comfortable, non-confrontational environment where conversation could happen naturally. They also provide a place of ease, laughter and enjoyment, where the refugees could turn their mind to something other than the hopelessness and struggle of their current situation. The musical instruments brought so much joy and excitement to the atmosphere, as we were able to teach new chords, worship songs, and even hear a few songs straight from their hearts. We continually prayed that the van would be a spiritual oasis of hope amidst the oppressive atmosphere of the Jungle. 

Throughout our time in the Jungle, we were able to build friendships with many of the men from the camp. One such man was Joel (not his real name), a small yet fiery Muslim man from Afghanistan. He would arrive at the van and begin passionately sharing his Islamic beliefs in nearly every conversation he had. This provoked debate from many of the people he talked to, but I personally was able to listen to him and very quickly earn his trust and build a friendship. Through many days of talking with Joel, I quickly discovered there were many similarities and points of agreement between our Islamic and Christian beliefs. We both believed wives should be treated with love, respect and gentleness (he greatly respect the fact that I was married and treated my wife with love). We both had a very high value for discovering the truth ourselves, and not just believing somethings because it was taught to us by our parents or a community. We both had a passion to help others find God and walk in the way of truth. We both believed in the sovereignty and wisdom of God in His dealings with mankind. He was not ashamed of what he believed, and had no problem sharing his heart (and even handing out little booklets on the Quran), even when he knew he was surrounded by people with opposing beliefs. 

On our last day together, Joel brought a Quran and began flipping it open to random pages and reading to me the truth he believed to be there, much of which I actually agreed with. He then turned to a passage that told how the Torah of Moses and the Gospel of Jesus were both truth sent down from God as a guide to mankind. I could hardly believe what he was reading to me, and so I challenged him, if the Torah and Gospel were both sent by God, they’re worth reading right? Shouldn’t we value every revelation God has sent down to mankind, even if in his view, some are greater than others? I proposed to Joel that if he would read these two books of revelation from God, I in turn would read the Quran, and so we would both be seeking a greater revelation of God and His truth. He eventually agreed, and so we exchanged books. Joel gave me his Quran, and I gave him a microSD card which he could put in his phone, containing the Bible, along with a few other Christian resources. We had a hard copy of the Bible to give him, but he said it was to dangerous to have in the camp, and so the SD card was an excellent option. Just before my wife and I said goodbye to Joel, I asked if he would pray to God with us, that He would guide us in the Way and reveal even more of His Truth to us. He agreed, and so we did just that. I also prayed for Joel that He would receive the peace of God in his life. We said amen, hugged and parted ways. 

Jesus, would you reveal yourself to Joel. Would you show yourself, not just as a prophet of God, but as the only Way to God; the very essence of Truth; and the only path to Life. Would you give him dreams of the man in white, and would you fill his life with your peace. Holy Spirit, compel him to read your Word, that he would find the words of life and live. You are faithful Jesus! Finish what you started in Joel. Amen. 

I briefly met another Muslim Afghani man (lets call him Amos), who spent the past two months traveling and being smuggled across Europe. By night he is one of 600 men who attempt the near impossible and life threatening task of smuggling themselves aboard a truck headed for the UK. Back home his wife is three months pregnant with their first child. He wants to have a big family, because he knows children are a blessing from God. Like me, he also loves to cook, because there is always a reward at the end of his labour. But after just a week of being in the Jungle he was already running out of hope, because he knew how minuscule his chances of success were. 

He’s simply seeking to fulfil his God given desire to protect and provide for his growing family. He wants something better than a war torn country to raise his kids in. Can you blame him? I felt helpless talking with him, because I don’t have a solution, and evidently, neither does anyone else really. He just becomes a face in the crowd, a problem to be solved, and an ever increasing statistic in a world wide movement of refugees. But God sees him. God cares about this man and his family. He is currently handcrafting this mans first born child in His very own likeness. He is loved and precious in the sight of God. 

Papa, teach us to see through your eyes. Give us your heart for the refugees all over the earth who are seeking a life with hope. You are hope Jesus. You are the solution. Show us the part we play in seeing your will done and your Kingdom come on earth, as it is in heaven. Amen. 

One of my favourite things about our time in the Jungle, was the hours on end we spent just hanging out with the refugees. Amidst the hopelessness and loneliness of the camp, we were able to create a space where they could come to be appreciated and loved. Here we were, around twelve white people who's countries they would give a hand and a foot to get into, and all we wanted to do was be with them and simply show that we cared about their lives. More than the games, the coffees and the guitar lessons, the purpose of our ministry was purely to show Papas heart. Despite their crazy and impossible situations, God is interested in their lives; He is interested  in simply being with them though it all, and walking every step by their side. 

I saw another side of the equation a few weeks later in Paris, where Chloe and I were spending a few days to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. Amidst the life and pomp of this beautiful city, entire families sat begging on the street. Maybe they had been granted asylum in France, or maybe this was just the end of the road (It is drastically more difficult for women and children to smuggle themselves into the UK, as they don’t have to same capacity to run, climb high fences and jump aboard moving trucks that many of the younger men do). Here they were, in a foreign country, surrounded by a language they didn’t understand, with no work and very little support from anywhere, save the occasional compassion of a passing stranger. 

Scattered around the bridges and popular sights of the city, were men selling roses, beer and wine, padlocks (for couples to romantically attach to a bridge), and little Eiffel Tower statues. Inspired by the presence of thousands of affluent tourists, this provided, for many, the only available means of income to support themselves and their families. And they weren’t selling much either. 

I never really thought twice about the whole refugee situation; I didn't really care to be honest. Every now and then I saw something on the news about the boats being turned around, or maybe there was another riot on Christmas Island, but none of it affected my life. 

But things are different now. No longer are these people merely a news headlines as I scroll through Facebook. I've met them; I've seen their faces, shaken their hands and heard their stories. They're real people, with real families, facing very real struggles. And I'm called to do something. 

Actually, we're all called to do something. 

The United Nations estimates there are more than 65 million refugees all over the world who have been displaced by war and persecution. That's more that the populations of Australia, New Zealand and Canada combined. 

Or maybe it's the fact that there are more people in slavery today than ever before in human history. 

The point is folks, there is something bigger to live for than merely the preservation of our comfortable existence. Most of us live in the worlds most privileged and affluent countries; we have resources, a voice, and freedom. We have been blessed to be a blessing. The greatest man in all of history once instructed His followers, “Freely you have received, freely give.” Matthew 10v8 NIV

The apostle John, debatably this same mans closest friend, and the one who most knew His heart wrote:  

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

1 John 3:16-18 NIV

So where do we go from here? I don’t really know to be honest, because I’m currently on the journey of finding that out, but I know someone who does.

Jesus, thank you for your extravagant love. Thank you for laying down your very life for us, even when we were so hopeless and undeserving. Would you fill us with this very same love for each other. Give us your heart for the refugees, and show us your solution God, because we don't really have one. Jesus you are the answer; you alone are what this world needs. We humble ourselves before you Lord, and we cry out for more of you. You are worthy of our lives Jesus; you deserve that we would live every moment for your fame and glory. Show us how to live. WE LOVE YOU JESUS! 

Amen. 

Note: I think it is important to quickly clarify my above references to God, both directly and indirectly. I used the word ‘God’, often in the same sentence, in reference to both Allah, the god of the Muslims, and Yahweh, my God. However, I only did so when what I was saying was completely true of Yahweh, even though it may have originally been in reference to Allah. I understand how easy it may be to misinterpret pieces of what I said, so please get in touch with me if you need any further clarification. Bless you.