During his time in Lebanon (working with Heart for Lebanon), Ken was able to meet several refugee familiy and spend time visiting with them in their homes/tents.
Refugees, the West, and Perspectives on “Crisis”
With the news of thousands of refugees migrating into the EU, sometimes tragically failing or being prevented entry, many have asked how to help. We have offered three thoughts.
First, it’s important to remember and pray for the largest number of displaced persons who are still within their war and/or poverty stricken countries like Syria and Iraq and perhaps face dangers just as severe. We need to pray for these who cannot flee to safety.
Secondly, the larger number of refugees did not flee to the West, but into the neighboring countries of Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon. So while the EU attempts to assist hundreds of thousands across several stable countries, there are millions within each of these three countries, they have been there for years, and more are still crossing into these countries daily. The stress on these three countries is severe.
Third, the immediate needs of food, shelter, and clothing will bemet by host countries, but the challenge will be what happens to these after the next worldwide “crisis” event makes these refugees “yesterday’s news”? While desiring to help now is of some benefit, our attention needs to shift focus to the larger questions of how to empower long term services of compassion, community, and citizenship into these very different cultures.
Pray for the 3W Team as we prayerfully seek to develop partnerships with Global Strategy and regional leaders to process and implement long term service to a longterm problem.
- Ken, Keli, Grace, Titus & Zeke
Refugees, the West, and Perspectives on “Crisis”
With the news of thousands of refugees migrating into the EU, sometimes tragically failing or being prevented entry, many have asked how to help. We have offered three thoughts.
First, it’s important to remember and pray for the largest number of displaced persons who are still within their war and/or poverty stricken countries like Syria and Iraq and perhaps face dangers just as severe. We need to pray for these who cannot flee to safety.
Secondly, the larger number of refugees did not flee to the West, but into the neighboring countries of Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon. So while the EU attempts to assist hundreds of thousands across several stable countries, there are millions within each of these three countries, they have been there for years, and more are still crossing into these countries daily. The stress on these three countries is severe.
Third, the immediate needs of food, shelter, and clothing will bemet by host countries, but the challenge will be what happens to these after the next worldwide “crisis” event makes these refugees “yesterday’s news”? While desiring to help now is of some benefit, our attention needs to shift focus to the larger questions of how to empower long term services of compassion, community, and citizenship into these very different cultures.
Pray for the 3W Team as we prayerfully seek to develop partnerships with Global Strategy and regional leaders to process and implement long term service to a longterm problem.
- Ken, Keli, Grace, Titus & Zeke
