Live Like a Refugee

Live Like a Refugee

By Dan Wooding, Founder of the ASSIST News Service

WITNEY, UK (ANS – November 11, 2015) -- Could you survive on a refugee’s rations, or live out of a suitcase? Would you be able to sleep in a tent or on a church hall floor? Could you live like a refugee?

These questions have been posed by Open Doors UK and Ireland, a ministry that was begun 60 years ago by Dutchman, Brother Andrew, who began smuggling Bibles to Eastern Europe, and which is detailed in his bestselling book, “God’s Smuggler.”

Open Doors is offering a publication, “Live Like a Refugee,” which it says is “perfect for Lent,” and contains over six weeks of daily devotions, prayers and stories from refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) who have fled through persecution.

“As well as the daily Bible readings, a series of challenges – living on refugee rations, memorizing your Bible, carrying an ID card – invites you to experience something of the lives of refugees and IDPs,” said a spokesperson for Open Doors.

“The resource also includes a four-part study guide for small groups, and resources for church services.”

More Than Lent

The spokesperson went on to say, “We have plans to help people live like a refugee throughout 2016. Look out for announcements about major events in the summer, and our autumn prayer campaign.

“In the meantime, you canwrite to the UK governmenton behalf of Christian refugees in Syria and Iraq.”

Support Refugees and Displaced People

With your help, Open Doors plans to continue to support Christians around the world who have been forced to leave their homes because they are in danger of being killed or imprisoned for their faith.

“Our partners work with thousands of refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) in such places as Nigeria,Central African Republic, and, of courseSyriaandIraq,” added the spokesperson.

“As well as helping them with food, hygiene and medical supplies, we also provide trauma care training, employment and job creation schemes, Bibles and Christian literature and much more.”

A Syrian Pastor in Aleppo said recently, “I give huge thanks to you on behalf of these families for not forgetting us, and standing with us in the long-term. Even though the situation is difficult and prolonged, I thank you than you have continued with us. Through your partnership we are seeing beautiful results.”

Give Hope to A Family in Syria

Thousands of Christians in Syria have been forced to flee their homes to escape the violence of war and extremism, but remain within the nation. Many are simply too poor or infirm to leave the country. Others feel called by God to stay and serve their people.

Almost 10,000 families in Syria are relying on Open Doors for emergency food supplies every month. One of its local partners, Pastor Samuel (not his real name) from Aleppo, says: “We are all trying to do our best to… provide God's hope in a hopeless situation.”

They are appealing for people to help them provide our brothers and sisters in Syria with vital supplies, and give them hope for a happier Christmas in years to come.

For more information on how to give (if you live in the UK or Ireland), please go to: https://www.opendoorsuk.org/campaign/stepofyes/appeal_151028.php?src=WB1533&step1=appeal .

Celebrating 60 Years of God's Faithfulness to The Persecuted Church

Open Doors is about to put on inspiring events whereby people can journey together, starting with Brother Andrew's first venture of faith, “through the milestones and miracles of the past 60 years, to the challenges for our persecuted family today and our vision of faith for the future. Open Doors 60th celebrations are for everyone who wants to be part of God’s good news story to the world,” stated the spokesperson.

Here are details of two of the UK events:

* Saturday, November, 14, 2015 -- 9.30am - 5pm: The International Convention Centre, Birmingham, England.

* Friday, November 20, 2015 -- 7pm - 10pm: Findlay Church, Glasgow, Scotland..

For details of other events, please go to: http://www.opendoorsuk.org/news/upcoming_events.php 

About Open Doors UK and Ireland:

Open Doors exists to strengthen the church to be the church in the most hostile places.

In over 50 countries, Open Doors is supplying Bibles, training church leaders, delivering Scripture-based literacy programs and supporting Christians who suffer for their faith. In the UK and Ireland Open Doors strives to raise awareness of global persecution, mobilizing prayer, support and action among Christians.

The Open Doors UK and Ireland website can be found at http://www.opendoorsuk.org/ .

Photo captions: 1) A Middle East refugee family in a camp. 2) Cover of Open Doors publication. 3) Brother Andrew. 4) Dan Wooding filming Brother Andrew in Hebron.

About the writer: Dan Wooding, 74, is an award-winning winning author, broadcaster and journalist who was born in Nigeria of British missionary parents, and is now living in Southern California with his wife Norma, to whom he has been married for more than 52 years. They have two sons, Andrew and Peter, and six grandchildren who all live in the UK. Dan is the founder and international director of ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times) and the ASSIST News Service (ANS). He has reported from Burma on two occasions and is also the author of some 45 books and has two US-based TV programs –- “Windows on the World” and “Inside Hollywood with Dan Wooding.” Dan previously worked as a writer for some seven years with Brother Andrew and Open Doors before starting ASSIST.

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