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Tour de Jungles (France/Belgium)
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Smiles as a refugee girl rides a bike for the first time
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IAFR's Paul Sydnor biked nearly 400 miles in France and Belgium to tour 11 impromptu refugee settlements known as jungles, through which thousands of displaced people pass every year in their search for refuge and a future.
Paul met refugees from Vietnam, Afghanistan, Libya, Tunisia, Iran, Sudan, and other countries.
Paul was impressed by the presence of small groups of local people doing what they can to extend basic humanitarian help to refugees. Yet he was struck by the lack of personal interaction extended to refugees.
"Those who are helping do not seem interested in addressing issues that reflect the needs of the soul." -Paul Sydnor
A 26 year old Afghan refugee with a college degree told Paul how his family was killed when he was 3 years old. He went to live with an uncle in Pakistan. When he was 14, he set out on a 12 year journey through Turkey and across Europe in search of a place to call home.
While this man's body needs food, clothing and shelter, his weary soul needs to find healing, hope and acceptance.
Paul is working to mobilize local churches in the region to extend life-giving relationships to these strangers as they pass through their towns and cities on their desperate journey. |
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Bibles for Refugees (Kenya)
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A donation of $10 will put a Bible into a refugee household
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It's just not right... Only a handful of refugees have access to a Bible in Kakuma refugee camp (Kenya). Yet the Bible is the spring from which we draw refreshment, perspective and strength as we encounter God and learn his ways.
IAFR invites your household to gift a Bible to a refugee household. Your gift will strengthen their faith and let them know that they are not forgotten.
IAFR is partnering with United Refugee Churches, a refugee led association representing over 60 refugee churches in the camp. Our goal is to provide 11,800 Bibles in the languages of the refugees. We ordered the first 300 Bibles this month.
The goal is not out of reach if we work together!
Every designated donation of $10 enables IAFR to provide a Bible to a refugee household.
Please pray with us that God will provide Bibles for our refugee brothers and sisters. We invite you to promote this opportunity as you are able via email, Facebook, Twitter and conversation! Download a flyer and donate online:
May God do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. And may the refugee churches in Kakuma rejoice in God's provision. |
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Opening Eyes and Hearts
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"I taught on refugees at Tyndale Seminary & introduced the students to the work & resources of iafr.org. It seemed as though most students were giving thought to the plight of refugees for the very first time." -an email received in August
IAFR media presentations, photo gallery and publications are being used by schools, churches and agencies around the world to raise awareness of refugee realities and train people to serve refugees.
The 2011 Map of the Refugee Highway is among our most popular resources. Colorful and informative, the map prints in full resolution up to 36" x 27".
Our 2011 Refugee Realities-FAQ handout is a great way to get an overview of forced displacement.
Our new 60 second media presentation "Forced Displacement in the Bible" opens the eyes and hearts of people to see that God has long been present and at work along the Refugee Highway.
Click here for a full listing of IAFR media presentations.
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The Highway in North America
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Nearly 100 participants gathered in San Francisco for the 3rd annual North American Round Table
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IAFR participated in the 3rd annual North American Round Table of the Refugee Highway Partnership that President Tom Albinson helped launch back in 2001. Nearly 100 participants gathered in San Francisco in July to share learning and resources together.
Albinson was invited to cast the vision of the Refugee Highway and to facilitate a discussion about how to effectively communicate the mandate and opportunity for churches to engage refugees with the love of God.
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| Perspective |
"O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water." Psalm 63:1
David wrote this Psalm while forcibly displaced in a desert. His words reflect the heart of many refugees today as they cry out to God for refuge. |
