Middle East (MNN) — It’s not even March, and Europe has already
played host to over 100,000 refugees fleeing the Middle East by boat, http://data.unhcr.org/mediterranean/regional.php - reports the United Nations . Yet, this number is relatively small compared to the mass exodus expected this spring.
What’s Happening and What’s Coming
(Photo: Ben White/ CAFOD, October 2015 via Flickr)
Al Goff with https://www.mnnonline.org/mission_groups/global-ai d-network/ - Global Aid Network (GAiN)
explains, “When Spring hits, and it gets much nicer and sunny again,
because it rains a lot this time of year, there’s white capping. But
there will be millions, literally millions, coming over as quickly as
possible. Estimates are up to a range of around 3 million in Turkey,
waiting to come in.”
Surprisingly, about 80% of the refugees coming into Greece are young men.
“What’s happening is: different factions are fighting in the Middle
East, they will conscript a young man at gun point into fighting for
them. So families are as quickly as possible sending away their young
men to Europe, both to try to get a job and to get them out of being
conscripted into military service for ISIS or the Syrian government, or
whatever group is trying to get them to fight for them,” explains Goff.
Unfortunately, the bad weather is providing a different opportunity
for travel. During these dangerous months on the water, smugglers
actually lower their prices for travel. Because of this, more women and
children take to the waters in efforts to reach Greece. But the lower
travel rates aren’t necessarily a good thing in this situation.
“The women and children that are coming, very frankly, are putting
themselves in real danger. And then, they’re on a raft with probably
90%…men,” says Goff. “So it’s really bad for the women and children that
are trying to come over as you can imagine.”
But it’s not just Iraqis and Syrians making the trip to Europe.
People come from Libya, Afghanistan, Algeria, and other places, too.
However, once these refugees land in Greece, only certain people groups
are allowed to continue forward. The others who’ve been denied further
passage have no choice but to camp out where they are.
(Photo courtesy Global Aid Network)
At the moment, GAiN is working on two fronts: one in the Middle East and one in Greece.
In the Middle East, GAiN is working to stabilize refugees by
providing the basics of food, water, and blankets. Most of the time,
refugees come to Turkey and other places with the hope of returning
home.
But as the war continues, many refugees realize that their hopes for
returning home are slim to none. At this point, many decide to continue
into to Europe, usually through Greece.
In Greece, GAiN is working with various groups to help move refugees
from staging camps, usually on Greek islands like Lesvos, to the main
land in order to continue their journey into countries taking in
refugees.
GAiN’s Difference
In the midst of all this danger and chaos, an incredible thing is
happening: people are turning to Jesus. GAiN volunteers are not pushing
Jesus onto refugees. Instead, because the way volunteers are caring and
loving refugees is so radical, refugees are coming to volunteers and
asking, “Why are you caring for me?”
“When you love people extravagantly well, they are touched,” says
Goff. “This is that opportunity to share the love of Jesus. And they do
ask. Oh my goodness, do they ask! And you know, there’s a wonderful
story we tell them–tell our volunteers to inform them that, truthfully,
‘I’m not here because I wanted to help you. I’m here because I work for a
refugee and He sent me to help you.’ Then we tell them the story of
Jesus, the story of when they [Herod and his government] were trying to
kill Him, and His family took Him to another country–to Egypt, to get
Him to safety.”
How to Help
At this moment, prayer is vital for GAiN’s work with refugees. Please
pray for the work GAiN is doing, pray for the safety and providence of
these refugees. But also, pray for ISIS and all those who are
terrorizing individuals in the Middle East. Only Jesus can change their
hearts and end the atrocities in the Middle East.
(Photo courtesy GAIN)
Furthermore, GAiN needs manpower to keep up its ministry and work
with refugees. If you’re able, please consider volunteering with GAiN.
Any length of time is appreciated. To learn more, http://www.gainusa.org/mission-trips/ - click here .
And finally, would you consider financially supporting GAiN? Just
like anything else, it takes money to buy supplies in order to help
others. To donate, https://www.gainusa.org/donate/ - click here .
To learn more or to ask questions, contact GAiN at 1-800-778-7806.
Source: http://www.mnnonline.org/ -