Refugee Life Snapshot

This is just some bits about things going on in and around our lives that I want to share as told to and believed by me:


I know a man.  He lived in his country with his family since the time he was born until he could not anymore.

He was a driver for his government.  When a war broke out his government fled and he was captured.  He could drive for the rebels or not live.

So he drove for the rebels and one day an accident happened.  Seven rebel officers in his vehicle were killed.  The driver for such an incident would be shot on the spot so he ran.

But he could not run to his government or he would be executed for driving for the enemy.

So he runs to another country to be safe.

No time to get papers in order he is captured with his family by police and placed in jail.

He and his wife are suspected of child trafficking and his children are taken away.

He spends almost 2 years in prison.  His wife in a separate facility.  God sends people to take care of their children and they are able to stay in contact.

The govenrment decides they are innocent and tries to send them back to their country.  But there they will be killed by either side?  God sends people to fight for them to stay as refugees and they are saved from returning.

Now in a refugee camp there are new challenges.  No electricity, no running water, build your own house, grow your own crops if you know how.

Camp officials protect you.  Provide passes if you want to leave for up to 30 days.  Donated supplies from the outside can be sold for more than the value of helping a refugee though.  You can go to another country like Canada or Sweden very fast if you have enough money to put your name up high on the list.  Maybe someone has stolen your story and identity and gone already to another country and you are lost to the system of the world.  If you complain that can be kept track of too.  You won’t complain so much if you fear losing more.

But he is joyful.  His family is alive and together.  God has provided all his needs.  He prays God will improve their situation but he doesn’t complain.  Just tells stories.  He does not try to elicit compassion.  He does not say his life is unfair.  He does not answer all my questions all the way about what they have been through.  Just admits it was hard.

Anyway, it is enough.  Enough to make me see how much I have been given.  How much is required of me that I am often unwilling to give.  Enough to make me feel the weight of my selfishness and yet also experience the enormous joy in giving to and loving others.

I hope and pray for each of us to see what God is calling us to and to be brave and wise enough to follow Him there.

“In this world you will have trouble, but take heart for a I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33