"I joined a team working among the African diaspora; people who have arrived as strangers and even refugees, and who are in great need of knowing the love of Jesus. The task is immense, but the Lord reminds me that he asks us to come to him with our five loaves and two fishes. It is he who multiplies, he who bears fruit according to his grace."

Political instability in Africa has meant that South Africa is one of the countries where many refugees go. Zara* works with a community from East Africa where most women do not speak English, yet their children go to the local schools. 

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. 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?”

We’ve all seen the pictures; desperate families walking away from destroyed homes, little children being carefully passed over barbed-wire fences, dangerously overcrowded boats arriving on European shores. AIM missionary, Jonathan, and local partner, Pedro, talk about how they are seeking to share hope with these displaced peoples. 

As Joseph* came to the Zambian border after running and walking through the night, he couldn’t even think. His mind was numb. He prayed without words, wondering if he’d ever see his wife again.

Sally* joined AIM’s Community Outreach team which partnered with Derek and Claire’s* church to support and encourage them in reaching out to their local, multicultural community.  

We have only worked with refugees for a short time, so we don’t claim to be experts, but we have learned a few things along the way so far...