IAFR Update - March-April 2011

March - April 2011

Issue 11

The IAFR Report
International Association for Refugees

Greetings!

Thousands of forcibly displaced people can be found in the jungles of France as they seek refuge in the EU.

Church leaders are among the 85,000 people in Kakuma refugee camp (Kenya).

After a 9 year wait, a refugee family from Ivory Coast finally received asylum in Austria.

Their lives strengthen our faith. Thanks to your prayers and giving, IAFR has been able to come alongside of them with encouragement and assistance.

Read on to learn more! - Tom Albinson, President

Hidden Refugees in the Jungles of France

Photo: A Jungle in France

Unofficial makeshift refugee settlements in northern France are commonly referred to as jungles. Many asylum seekers and irregular immigrants stay in jungles while planning the next step of their journey. They are often referred to as hidden refugees. Many jungles are in isolated areas that are difficult to access.

One refugee recently shared his story with Paul Sydnor, IAFR Regional Leader for the EU.

"I crossed the Sahara desert in 22 days, after which I was forced to spend 9 months in a north African prison.

Upon my release, I paid $1,300 for passage across the Mediterranean Sea. 200 others were crammed aboard our small boat. It broke down, leaving us stranded in the open sea. Thankfully, we were ultimately rescued and towed to the southern shores of Europe.

It took me 3 months to walk from southern Italy to France. I then traveled by train to the city of Calais on the eastern shore of the English Channel. I tried to cross the water to England but failed.

I spent the next 15 months in Paris while my case for political asylum was processed. I was ultimately rejected and told to leave France.

I had nowhere to go.

I am now forced to live out in the cold of winter-more determined than ever to reach England."

Paul asked the refugee if there were others with similar stories to tell. He quickly replied.

"There are thousands."

France is a leading EU country when it comes to receiving refugees, asylum-seekers and irregular immigrants.

The Church in Kakuma (Kenya)

Photo: Many of the refugees in Kakuma are young

Kakuma, Kenya, is located in the remote northwest corner of the country, near its borders with Uganda, Sudan and Ethiopia. 85,000 men, women and children from diverse African nations have found temporary refuge in the hot and dusty refugee camp. Among them, you will find the church.

IAFR met with many of Kakuma's refugee church leaders in March.

Photo: Meeting with refugee pastors

Until recently, Sudanese refugees were dominant in the camp. After a referendum earlier this year determined that Southern Sudan will become an independent nation, most of the Sudanese returned to their homeland.

As they left Kakuma, the UN began relocating Somali refugees to the camp. In a short period of time, the majority population transitioned from Christian to Muslim. This has created new challenges and opportunities for the remaining Christians.

Photo: Building a refugee church

Kenya's National Council of Churches introduced IAFR to the leadership of the United Refugee Churches (URC) in Kakuma - a refugee led organization serving the evangelical refugee churches in the camp.

Although the refugee churches are isolated from the church at large, they are overcoming their challenging circumstances by God's grace through courage and faith, as their words reflect.

"We see a purpose in our lives - even while we are refugees."

"I was serving as a pastor even before I was baptized!"

"Our cry is to one day have a better life - but this is a place where God is preparing men of God."

"It is hard for me to not speak of Jesus."

IAFR counts it a privilege to come alongside of the URC and refugee churches of Kakuma to further the kingdom of God together.

Asylum in Austria

Photo: Nana

Nana was a tribal king back in the Ivory Coast. Political violence forced him to flee with his family to Austria nearly a decade ago.

Nana became a follower of Jesus while living in an Austrian refugee center.

Nana devoted his life to telling others about Jesus. While still an asylum seeker, Nana founded the Fellowship of Christian Refugees International (FCRI).

IAFR celebrates the news that Nana and his family finally received asylum in February 2011!

Thanks to your contributions, IAFR was privileged to help FCRI cover some pressing medical and legal fees from our Special Needs Fund in order to help their important ministry continue unhindered.

In This Issue

The Jungles of France

The Church in Kakuma

Asylum in Austria

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Did You Know?

Middle East IDP Woman

The number of internally displaced people (IDP) has risen from 17 to 27.5 million since 1998. Leading countries producing IDP include Somalia, Yemen, Afghanistan and Colombia.

Source: IDMC

Perspective

"And Saul's son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God."

1 Samuel 23:16

When David was a refugee in the desert of Ziph, Jonathan went out to find him and encourage him. He could not meet all of David's needs or solve all of his problems, but he could offer friendship, presence and prayer.

Making a Difference

Every donation is an investment that makes a difference in the lives of refugees and forcibly displaced people in our world today.

Donate online by credit card or send a check payable to IAFR at the address below:

IAFR
P.O. Box 47947
Minneapolis, MN 55447
USA

IAFR is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization registered in the USA. Tax deductible receipts are available for US citizens and residents.

There's More!

www.iafr.org

Be sure to visit and learn more about forcibly displaced people and how IAFR is serving together with the refugee church to further the kingdom of God.

Tom Albinson, President
International Association for Refugees

We're grateful for every word of encouragement, every prayer on our behalf and for the generosity of many that make this ministry possible!