serving internally displaced families

The Middle East has more than 11 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and more than 9 million refugees (UN and IDMC, 2017). They have had to flee their homes because of war, extremism and economic challenges. Out of all of them 6.9 million are refugees from Syria alone. Many refugees and IDPs live in camps and informal settlements, some for more than 7 years. Often they have limited rights in their host nations and cannot work. Many displaced communities struggle with the consequences of trauma. Yet, the Lord has not forgotten, He is near to the broken-hearted. And this is a message they need to hear now more than ever.

Thanks to the financial support of many individuals who have given to the YWAM Refugee Circle, we were able to bless 41 families in a community of displaced people in the Middle East. In July they received food bags with a months-worth of food!

During our first visit to this settlement our team ran a fun program for the kids and through that got connected to the parents. While the children had fun drawing with chalk and playing games, the parents shared they stories and grievances with us. Because of the finances we had available, we were able to respond to their trust in a very practical way. Two days later every family was given a bag of food (rice, oil, tomato paste, sugar, beans, pasta and more) which they received with gratitude. In their generosity and hospitality they invited us to their homes for tea and snacks. True happiness came from the fellowship we shared. The trust and kindness we extended towards each other spoke louder than any material gift ever could.

Osman

food bags

This particular community was blessed in the name Jesus that day and we keep praying that they will come to know the Giver of every good gift, the Creator and Saviour of the world.