Working among Afghani refugees
The past few weeks have been a devastating, confusing, and uncertain time for all Afghani people, and asylum-seekers have spread from Afghanistan’s neighboring countries to places all over the globe. In the wake of this global crisis, front line partners working with the refugees in Central Asia ask for your intercession, as the past weeks have taken such a huge emotional toll on the people.
“We are in such a difficult time for all refugees emotionally,” says Aysha*, one of the front line workers.
“There are lots of refugees pouring into my area – families, women with children. Refugees, especially women, are emotionally broken, very stressed, and often crying because they lost their homes, because of what they experienced in the last weeks, and because of the situation in their country.”
She continues, “We need prayers for wisdom, strength and new opportunities to serve the women, such as trauma counselling, and helping them assimilate in this new country. Pray that we can share the Gospel with them and bring them to local churches. Please pray for the refugee women, for the Afghani people, and for our ministry.”
Hamad*, another partner, expresses worry that the refugee crisis could lead to further tensions: “Due to what is happening today in Afghanistan, the situation in our country is now rather tense. We are very concerned that the people in our country with radical Islamic views – those who dream about creating an Islamic caliphate – can take advantage of the situation in Afghanistan and start an Islamic revolt here. We are also concerned about the flow of refugees. Among them may be lots of radicals.”
“Please pray for this situation in our country and for the hearts of those people who want Islam to rule the state. Also, pray for us Christian believers, for wisdom and courage in such an anxious time to carry the Gospel. Pray that we can carry the goodness and love of our Lord Jesus Christ to Muslim people in our country.”
Prayer
- For the refugees, that the Lord would meet their physical, spiritual, and emotional needs.
- For Aysha, Hamad, and other frontline workers – that the Lord would cover them in His wisdom and enable them to minister to the people entrusted to their care
- For the local believers to stand in faith and ministry, that they would be Christ’s hands and feet in welcoming and loving their Afghani neighbours in this critical time
