Refugees: Tipping the Scales

A Simple Request with Eternal Impact

For the past two years we’ve shared a simple request: Would you join us in ministering to refugees overseas by taking good care of their children and families in the name of Jesus?

Growth in the Program

We started in August of 2017 with 10 refugee children and now have 624 in Iraq alone, and at our present level of ministry, 224 are waiting for sponsors. The outpouring of love and support we have received from our Indigenous Ministries Friends and Family has been wonderful! Thank you for the compassion we’ve received. It allows us to provide real, tangible help to these children!

Understanding the Real Needs

So what are their real needs? Since poverty is triggered by many things, the top four are: war leading to homelessness, loss of life, loss of job and loss of health. Just for a minute, imagine facing one of these issues with your entire family, (and you probably have faced one or more), but now imagine all four hitting you at once.  Recovery becomes far more difficult, especially after fleeing your hometown and settling in a new city or country. When the breadwinner of a refugee family is disabled or has died, the family faces a higher level of need and economic recovery is almost impossible alone.

The initial trauma may have passed but most refugee families cannot afford daily food, let alone food for their Christmas dinner. 

Tipping the Scales with Hope

What does it look like to tip the scales and help a family get back on their feet? The food, prayer, and visits they receive through Indigenous Ministries’ Child Sponsorship Program often provide their only hope. These acts of care offer enough stability for families to take small steps forward. We have a window of opportunity to help these families now! Timing is everything. Yes, sponsorships absolutely make a difference! And one by one, helped families get off the IM program making room for those in desperate need. 

Real Stories, Real Gratitude

In these photos below, some of our IM staff (they too are refugees) are visiting these families.  Besides checking on the family, especially the children, they share Scripture, share the good news and pray with the families. The reactions are varied (see below) but all are grateful and happy for the help and visits. They know we’re helping because of Jesus’ love for us.

Refugees: Tipping the ScalesRefugees: Tipping the ScalesYousif (bottom left) and his sister’s unbelievable story are featured this month in this YouTube video:  https://youtu.be/5WIBoyS23yo.

I am angry and feel hurt, I don’t know why.

This family came from Syria to Iraq in 2014; their home was destroyed. The father doesn’t have a job, they live in a refugee camp IM ministers in. They are very grateful for the food they receive because their daughter (center) is sponsored.

I’m Yousif, and I have a new jacket that is warm and beautiful!

I can’t believe my sponsor sent me a letter!!

Sometimes I feel sad, but I just got this letter from my sponsor and I’ve never gotten a letter
from anyone before.

The dramatic difference in Bashar & Angelina lives (left) reflects in the face of their mother, far left. In this photo, they share updates with our staff who faithfully visit families in IM’s program.

Thank you for sending me this letter!