Resettlement of our Refugee Brethren
How actively are we addressing this issue ?
As we look around at our present situation, generally our: THOUGHTS are that we pray to be helped from the undesirable conditions of the camp to a place away from this environment - FEARS are that we do not know how long we will get over with this distressing refugee life?
I am repeating the thoughts and fears of our brethren living in the refugee camps. Recently I saw some scenes of refugee life on the television the insanitary condition to which babies and young children are exposed and the look of helplessness on their parents faces.
Many of our brethren and sisters are in this very distressing situation. Each day as they look at their children, we can imagine those fears about how long this will last. They are praying for relief. We are praying for this too, but then what action are we taking? It is true, that many are already involved in trying to ease their burdens; some are also engaged in other ecclesial activities. However, there may be others who possess the ability to make a further move - to remove them to an improved condition, and I would urge them to use the talent given them by Our Heavenly Father to work towards making a difference in our brethrens lives. How shall we start, what should we do? may be the query.
Again following Nehemiahs example
Chapter 1:3 and they said to me, The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.
1:4: So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
1:10: Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand. (Just as our refugee brethren are.)
1:11: O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.
These words clearly reveal how touched Nehemiah was on hearing of the distressing situation of his brethren, which moved him to action, despite his problematic job situation For I was the kings cupbearer. This comparatively luxurious position did not cloud his vision of the suffering of his brethren, hence his grief was clearly visible to the King who, on hearing of his distress, asked, 2:4: What do you request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. (The beginning of his mission.) 2:5: And I said to the king, If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favour in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers tombs, that I may rebuild it. From what follows, Nehemiah had already made plans for action, and he only needed to get past this great obstacle of getting the Kings approval, and God, seeing his earnestness, took care of this.
We will only be moved to earnest action if, like Nehemiah, we can feel for what our brethren are going through. Let us again read above their thoughts and fears and strive to approach our Heavenly Father for His help to move us to the action of resettling our them. This case is His, as Nehemiah states at verse 10 above, and God will similarly prosper us, as he did Nehemiah, who nevertheless pursued it, but we must go to him for His Support.
I am appealing to those who are in charge of our publications, to the Brethren worldwide, to assist this effort by including these appeals in their publication, thereby informing and giving as many as possible the privilege and opportunity of getting involved in this rewarding project.
Sis Esther Worrell (Canada)
