sarah’s place

Can refugees be our heroes? I think so. Check out this Swedish video clip to see how . . .

A recent study by the UK’s Refugee Council found that “refugees have little, if any, choice over which country they claim asylum in”.

“The majority of the interviewees explained their lives were in danger and that they had to leave their home countries very quickly- within a few days or weeks - leaving them little time to plan or pick their destination. In addition, most were helped to leave by an external party or agent, who made the key decisions about their destination and helped facilitate their journey to safety.”

The study also found that government policies that make life difficult for asylum seekers have little to no influence in their choice of destination. Such policies serve only to perpetuate suffering and misery.

Source: Refugee Council Online, Guardian.co.uk

Greetings from sunny Kenya! Our time here has been incredible. I can’t believe we only have a few days left. I look forward to sharing more with you all when I return to the USA. In the meantime here are a few pictures . . .

I am once again leading a team of six from Northwood Church on a trip to Kenya. Today I’m packing in preparation for our departure tomorrow afternoon from Minneapolis. We’re excited and grateful for the privilege of serving refugees and orphans in Kenya.

During the first week we will assist with teaching and recreation at a family retreat for refugee believers from East Africa.

During the second week, three of us will serve the East African refugee fellowship through youth leadership training, literacy training and small group Bible studies. I personally will be leading refugee women Bible studies. The other three will serve with Mathare Community Outreach, a ministry of a Kenyan church that provides schooling and food for children in Mathare Valley slum and also runs an HIV/AIDS orphanage.

Would you please pray:

1. That the Holy Spirit would open refugee believers’ hearts to the truth and reality of Jesus’ deity;
2. For good communication through translators whether the language is English, East African or Kiswahili;
3. For wisdom and guidance as I lead the women’s Bible studies;
4. That we would be the hands and feet of Jesus to all we meet;
5. For good teamwork and unity among ourselves, with the Nairobi missionary team and with Mathare Community Outreach;
6. That hearts be drawn to Jesus and transformed;
7. For safety and good health.

Thank you for your prayers, support and encouragement without which my participation in this trip would not be possible.

I just returned from our annual team retreat. It was the perfect way to ease back into ministry after my sabbatical. We had a great time of reconnecting, updating each other and discussions about Minneapolis/St. Paul refugee ministry in 2010 and beyond. Some exciting ministry developments are in the works . . . . stay tuned.

Some photos I took yesterday in a local photography workshop . . .

I am currently on a 3-month ministry sabbatical until Nov 15. I experienced some burn-out from helping a large refugee family resettle during the past year. I felt the need for rest and renewal physically, mentally and spiritually. During this time I’m focusing on a few things: developing my photography interest, particularly in taking steps toward the creation of a refugee ministry photo journal; in-depth Bible study; readings on global migration; and developing healthier diet and exercise habits. I would appreciate your prayers during this time . . . that I would be open to God’s teaching in every area.

Kid’s Klub . . . Language & Culture Exchange . . . Asra (a Muslim friend) called me “sister” for the first time during our 4-year friendship . . . Serving refugee believers in Kenya . . . Short-term team . . . Bhutan Day celebration . . . Refugee Journey Experience . . . Team Prayer Days . . . Easter Jesus Film outreach . . . Picnics . . . Driving practice . . . GED tutoring . . . ESL tutoring . . . Hindu Temple Tour . . . Mosque Tour . . . North America Refugee Ministry Roundtable . . . a few pics:

Since yesterday I have been mulling over Oswald Chambers comments on Luke 18:22 . . . the passage where the rich young ruler is instructed by Jesus to sell all that he has and “then come, follow me.” Oswald says this: “If you abandon everything to Jesus, and come when He says, ‘Come,’ then He will continue to say, ‘Come,’ through you. You will go out into the world reproducing the echo of Christ’s ‘Come.’ That is the result in every soul who has abandoned all and come to Jesus.”

How well does my life echo Christ’s “Come” to the world I interact with on a daily basis?

Yesterday we had a brief orientation for four men from local churches that have volunteered to be driving coaches for Bhutanese men who have their driving permits. We’re very thankful for these men - Dave, Ken, Norm & Adam - and their willingness to help our Bhutanese friends. This really encompasses all that we are about in our refugee ministry: presence, compassion, empowerment and training. Please pray that as these driving coaches spend time with the Bhutanese men good friendships will develop, Jesus will be revealed, and drivers licenses will be obtained.