Since our last report, IAFR returned to Dzaleka refugee camp in Malawi and completed a vision trip to Italy.

In Malawi, we were encouraged to see a sister church relationship continue to mature. In Italy, we began exploring the possibilities for new ministry on a remote mountainside in Sicily.

Meanwhile our burden to provide Bibles for refugees continues to weigh heavily on our hearts.

[Source: UNHCR]

Let God use you to answer their prayers. Put a Bible into the hands of a refugee.

Nearly 200 women filled the refugee church.  It was the first ever women's ministry conference in Dzaleka refugee camp. The theme was based on the biblical story of Naomi (in the book of Ruth) with which the ladies readily identified. For like them, Naomi had been forcibly displaced.

Their past and present suffering gave way to joy as they came together to gain perspective from God's Word.

The 2 day conference was part of an annual visit by IAFR partner, 1st Covenant Church (Minneapolis).

In response to the request of the refugee churches, 1st Covenant sent over a team that included 3 ladies with significant experience in women's ministries.

The refugee women shared teaching sessions with the 1st Covenant team. Fervent prayer and spontaneous song and dance punctuated the meetings.

Relationships were deepened and hearts strengthened as the women shared personal stories of vulnerability, suffering and faith.
SINGLE MOTHER'S MEETING

The team also met with around 70 single refugee mothers during this visit (photo). Single mothers are among the most vulnerable refugees. Whether widowed, abused or abandoned, they have no one to protect them or provide for them.

They listened intently as the team shared personal stories of vulnerability and suffering-while emphasizing that nothing can erase the image of God imprinted on our lives.

Hand-in-hand, we prayed together before sharing a simple lunch of fried bread-and many hugs.



PARTNERING IN MISSION

Refugee pastors gave us a firsthand look at some of the amazing ways God is using their churches to care for their fellow refugees AND the Malawian villagers living around the camp.

It was beautiful to see 1st Covenant actively partner in the mission of her sister churches by investing in some their strategic missional initiatives.

They bought materials to help complete the building of a Malawian church planted by refugees (photo).

They provided building materials for a grain mill in the camp that will meet a need of the refugees and help to financially sustain the ministries of a refugee church.

They covered the repair costs of a diesel motor for a mill that is essential to sustaining a village orphan ministry. And they paid school fees for 26 Malawian orphans for which a refugee church is caring.

Indeed, it is good for the church at large to partner together with our forcibly displaced brothers and sisters, helping them pursue the ministries and vision God has put on their hearts!

"Your visit has given us strength." These were among the final words to the team from a pastor who has been a refugee for the last 40 years. Amen.

This sister church relationship has clearly proven to be transformational for all participating churches. IAFR hopes to facilitate more such relationships in the years to come. Please let us know if your church is interested in exploring the possibility.

In response to the overwhelming number of forcibly displaced people landing on Italy's shores from North Africa, the government transformed an abandoned Air Force base in Sicily (Italy) into a large refugee processing center (photo). It's pretty remote. The nearest village is about 7 miles away.

Approximately 2,000 asylum seekers and refugees are living there today.

This was one of the stops on a vision trip facilitated by IAFR for a couple considering long term service among refugees in Italy.

Although the team was not given permission to enter, they were able to speak with some refugees outside of the center. Among other things, they learned that there is an active church meeting in the facility. They later met the refugee pastors.

Pointing to a nearby field, the pastors told the team, "That's where we started meeting 6 months ago. Now we are almost 200 people and have a space in the camp. We have prayer every morning at 7:00. We fast on Fridays and visit [fellow refugees] around the camp on Saturdays. Sunday is worship."

Once again we find that the church is alive and well on the Refugee Highway!

We welcome your prayers as we seek God's direction and explore the possibilities related to establishing a ministry among forcibly displaced people in Italy.

Tom Albinson, President

International Association for Refugees