Entertaining Angels Unaware: Welcoming the Immigrant Other

On rooftops in Jordan, Gaza refugees reconnect with lost land Rooftop hydroponics might be a far cry from tilled fields, but the act of farming can still speak to the soul of a displaced people, offering purpose and a sense of pride. JERASH, JORDAN  Christian Science Monitor Daily 28 October 2020 Taylor Luck Islam Abu Saud checks the series of white plastic tubes running and twisting across the expanse of green canvas in what looks like a life-sized school science project. She scans digital pH readers and engine pumps. Finally, the 22-year-old university graduate gazes with satisfaction at the end result of the past four weeks of labor: bright green heads of lettuce. Even better? This is not a farm or research center – this is her rooftop. “After waiting for opportunities to arrive,” Ms. Abu Saud says, “I am making opportunities grow at home.” In Jordan’s Jerash refugee camp, an experiment in hydroponic rooftop gardening is offering more than a badly needed source of income. It’s offer

Putting things in perspective... 79,5 Million Displaced People worldwide... That would be 24% of the total US population. It is equivalent to the populations of the states of Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Connecticut combined! It's roughly the population of the UK, Ireland and Greece combined. The numbers aren't statistics. They are people, mostly stateless people displaced by war. Our reaction shouldn't be self-justification, but pity and compassion

We had the privilege of working alongside Danny & Vera Kuranji in Novi Sad, Serbia for two years in 1992-94.  This was during the "Bosnian War." We discipled some of the new believers they had led to Christ.  Danny & Vera founded the Christian Fellowship church in Novi Sad.  They also helped with providing physical needs of refugees from Bosnia and Croatia. Danny preaching before a baptism service at the Danube River in Novi Sad, Serbia @1993 Danny baptizing a new believer in the Danube River at Novi Sad, Serbia @ 1993 A group of young believers at the time of a Bible study @ 1993

                           Maxim Belov is in third row on the left.  Olya is in front of him on his left. I can’t hope to name all the people who selflessly helped refugees and IDPs (Internally Discplaced People) in my blogs.   There are many unsung heroes.   My goal, however, is to praise those I know who have made a difference.  Usually these people would reject the idea that they were heroes.  They were just reaching out with caring hands and arms in some cases  to friends and relatives. One such couple of heroes were Maxim and Olya Belov in Zaporozhye, Ukraine.  Maxim is from Fedosiya, Crimea.  Maxim directs the part-time education department of Zaporozhye Bible Seminary. Among the courses Maxim teaches are: Evangelism; Spiritual Growth and Discipleship; Methodology of Working with  Pre-Schoolers, Elementary Age and Adolescents; Preparing and Conducting a Bible Lesson at the Zaporozhye Bible Seminary. The city of Zaporozhye is where the Zaporozhye Bible Seminary is located. I ha

 Greeks commit to build permanent centre for migrants, but migrants want to be allowed into Europe. Nothing has been solved. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54141450

There were also some other foreigners in Yugoslavia during the war.  They were missionaries who decided to stay regardless of the war.   Two couples from the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, US stayed.  They were Bill & Debbie Steele and Randy & Joan Bell.    Bill Steele was team leader for the IMB missionaries in Serbia at the time the war broke out. He quickly shifted gears to helping local NGOs and churches deal with the influx of Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs).  Bill encouraged Randy & Joan in their own efforts to help those caught in war torn places.   Bill made an agreement with the UNHCR in Belgrade to distribute aid to 125,00 Serbian refugee children in Serbia proper.  They provided school supplies worth $850,000 which were distributed through evangelical churches.   Steele partnered with evangelical churches to distribute items normal for school (backpacks, notepads, paper, pencils, protractors; etc.). Local churches received no