Joining Together on the 'Refugee Highway'
There is no greater sorrow on earth, than the loss of one’s native land.
-Euripides, 431 B.C.
Patrick aches for his family back in Africa. Now living in England, he is a refugee who fled his native land after being thrown in jail for teaching the Word of God.
A bribe from Patrick’s wife got him released from prison, leaving a small window of time for Patrick to escape the country. He soon found himself homeless in a new country, struggling with a foreign language, separated from loved ones, without a penny to his name. It’s been five years since Patrick last saw his wife and children.
More than 1.5 million refugees live in Europe. Seeking asylum, foreign refugees flee from religious and racial persecution, war, and economic despair. The journey is long and dangerous, usually paved with bureaucracy and rejection, but they risk it all, because to turn back often means death.
Refugees in Europe present a significant opportunity for the Church to respond with Christ’s love in word and action. ReachGlobal Europe is partnering with Refugee Highway Partnership (RHP) to inform, network and promote ministry among refugees. ReachGlobal seeks to connect with others along the "refugee highway" and share the love of Christ in practical ways.
"Refugees have often faced persecution, torture, and death of loved ones in their home country; and then even more hardship in the effort to gain freedom," comments one ReachGlobal team member who works with gypsies in the Czech Republic. "They are one of the most vulnerable groups in Europe. Ministry to refugees presents a unique opportunity to help a group of people who are in great need and, therefore, are often open to the gospel."
