So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed, and wandered about in the wilderness of Beer-sheba. When the water in the skin was gone, she cast the child under one of the bushes. Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot; for she said, "Do not let me look on the death of the child." And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. And God heard the voice of the boy; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, and said to her, "What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid; for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. 

Today many refugee children are crying. Why are they crying? Who listens to them? Whose fault is it? Who is responsible for it all? Some say that it is the parents’ or grand parent’s’ fault, others that it is because of the ruling system of their country, others still do not dare express their views. 

One day I was touched listening to a song: the children who remained at home were sending messages to the refugee children outside the country and vice-versa. The children who remained at home said: " We miss you so much, we have lost our friends to play with. At home I no longer recognise the place where my parents and grand parents used to live. All the roads are gone, houses are gone or are in ruins, life is no longer how it used to be, and all because of the war. When will you come back to us? We would find joy again as before, play, weave mats together, go to collect the water and fetch wood. All this because of the war"! The children who left home answered: "Dear friends at home, we are separated from everything, our friends, our relatives our games, our country. We no longer know how to play or weave mats, life has changed and many thing have been forgotten. All this because of the war! But one day life will return. Keep courage and hope that life will return and that we will meet again"!

G.N., Rwandan Refugee with JRS in Malawi

You are to feast on all the good things Yahweh has given you, you and your household, and with you the Levite and the stranger who lives among you. 

This text summarises much of what I have received from reflecting on the bible.  The book of Philippians, for instance, has been an encouragement to me as a refugee and as a single parent of five children in a foreign land.  The Lord has done much for me (Philippians 4: 6-8).  This scripture passage has taught me how to wait upon the Lord, never to complain but to pray with patience.  Whatever happens, we should not give up, we refugees; we should keep on asking God, and, through the servants of God – our fellow human beings – we will be blessed.  Already in many ways we are blessed.  God has helped us to cross so many borders up to now.  So, we should not forget to thank God. 

The bible clearly tells us in Deuteronomy 31:6 that God will never leave us or forsake us.  God will remain with us through everything.  Many of us refugees worry a lot about where we are going to sleep, what we are going to eat, where we will be tomorrow, but I would like to open up and tell you that the Lord will make you strong and help you; God will protect you (Isaiah 41:10).  God is near to those who are discouraged and saves those who have lost hope (Psalm 34:18-20).  So my fellow refugees, place all your hope and put all your burdens on God, who fully understands each and every moment of our lives.  Keep on persevering for one day we will be given rest.  Truly God has “heard our voice and sees our afflictions”.

Agatha, Rwandan refugee, 
JRS East Africa