I will never forget the article I read about a teenage girl who had to bury her mother and two sisters in the desert sand.
Shafa, 14, was the only survivor of 92 migrants who were abandoned by their traffickers in the Sahara Desert. Each one had paid for passage to Libya, where they would wait to cross the Mediterranean to Europe in hope of a better life.1
This article haunted me. I asked, “Who is on the other side of the Mediterranean welcoming such a victim of human suffering? Who is there to embrace her and offer her hope and healing?” I knew part of the answer needed to be me. How could I not be a part of the response to the growing number of refugees, asylum seekers, undocumented migrants, and international students flooding the cities of Europe from the African continent?
14 million African-born immigrants already live in Europe, making up over 40% of Europe’s total immigrant number.2 2015 saw the greatest surge, where over one million Africans made the perilous journey across the Mediterranean.3 This provoked AIM and our partners to action, and we mobilised short term teams to serve these new arrivals. Partnering with local churches and ministries we offered hope and healing, as well as necessities such as clothing and food.
What I know is that the harvest is truly plentiful in Europe and he is calling us to increase our efforts and work force. Join us in asking the Lord to send us more labourers who can embrace these new neighbours. It was clear to me that God was calling me to be part of the answer, and I am so glad I responded because my life is made so much richer through those I get to serve among and with. Will you join me?
John Becker
Europe Diaspora Area Leader
1 https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/child-survivor-sahara-tragedy-bury-2667043
2 https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/promoting-our-european-way-life/statistics-migration-europe_en
3 https://www.unhcr.org/desperatejourneys/
