God's Heart For The World

There are no pictures other than the one taken outside the refugee camp we visited this afternoon, but the images are burned into our minds and hearts. There are over 700 residents in this particular camp, primarily Syrian and Iraqui. As we entered the building the first impression I had was of oppression and gloom. We climbed to the top floor noticing that the second floor was flooded with water in a rather large area. 

The three families we were visiting welcomed us into their shared apartment. There were two adjoining rooms about the size of dorm rooms. We entered the second room where a husband and wife, his brother and their two children live. There is no kitchen or bathroom but rather all apartments on that floor share a common "kitchen" area. There are 5 bathrooms for men in the building and 5 for women; however, the women have no showers in their bathrooms. We wondered where the children play which would have to be under close supervision.

I describe this to attempt to paint a picture of the absolutely difficult and depressing environment in which they live day after day and sometimes over a year or more waiting for the Bulgarian government to give them the papers they need to be recognized as being able to stay in Bulgaria or to be able to move on to another more desired country of residence. Many are harassed by the police and can be thrown into jail until they obtain status papers.

It is into this environment we came to offer hope and encouragement for the many difficulties they experience in their quest to find freedom, acceptance and peace. Scott shared the gospel message in Arabic with the help of a refugee translator. He asked them about their own beliefs to find out where they are now. 

Since their background is Muslum, much of the information Scott shared they had never heard before, especially about Jesus. What we take for granted because we have heard the message so many times, they are hearing for the first time. For them to hear that Jesus died for them on a cross so that their sins were forgiven, was like fresh air in that small room with over 20 people in it. In fact I felt the fresh, cooling presence of the Holy Spirit several times as eyes were opened and ears heard how much God so loved them that He sent His Son to die for them.

At the end of Scott's presentation they were invited to come to the International Baptist Church to hear more about Jesus and about God's love for them. One father put it this way, "You teach me and I will teach my children." So this Wednesday Scott and Sandy are making arrangements to pick up 13 of them to bring them to church. They said "Our hearts are open. Everyday it is the same for us. We stay in this room. Thank you for coming. You make us feel different."

Scott had 12 Bibles in Arabic in the van and they eagerly came out to get them. 

This day brought joy to our hearts but also a sense of humbleness before God for all the blessings we have. But nothing we own will ever compare to this experience. Continue to pray for them as well as the Chadwick's as the are making plans to revisit them weekly and for their influence to spread to others in the camp.