With the destructive advancement of ISIS throughout sections of the Middle East, many have found themselves homeless and at the complete mercy of foreign governments and humanitarian organizations. The government of Cyprus invited several hundred Syrian refugees into a prepared refugee camp. However, political dissension and concern over financial assets led the Cypriot government to shut down the camp only moments after these displaced ones arrived. In desperation, the media released a plea to churches and schools, asking anyone who could to open up their doors to these newcomers. One church that Gateways Beyond has been very connected to, responded to this plea and invited into their sanctuary over 50 refugees, all Muslim.
Looking for an opportunity to serve and be a blessing, a small team, myself included, took an afternoon to visit these refugees who have lost everything. I took the opportunity to practice my limited Arabic and asked where some of them were from. Pulling out their phones, they proudly shared pictures with me of their beloved city, Damascus. But when I commented that I would love to visit the city one day, one young woman shook her head, replying simply that it was gone. Her home town, the capital of Syria, was destroyed. More pictures followed, this time from after the bombs fell. The destruction was sobering. This was their home, but now there is almost nothing to go back to, an entire city and nation ravaged by war. Families were separated, some allowed to leave while others stayed behind or were killed. And those who managed to escape with their lives, having nothing left to their names, found themselves in a different nation, a different culture, where they aren’t really wanted, where they are seen as just a burden and a financial strain.
But in this vulnerable place is the opportunity for hearts to grow soft. For the Muslim refugees who came to Cyprus, the Syrian embassy closed their doors to them. Even their own mosques refused to take them in and neglected to stop by and check on their well-being. They were rejected by their government, rejected by their own imams (Muslim priests). But a Spirit-filled church opened its doors, welcomed them in, and fed them. The pastors do not preach at them. They simply show them love—genuine sacrificial love. And the hearts of these beautiful ones, highly valued in the sight of their Creator, are beginning to soften.
Though not allowed to minister in any official capacity, our team reached out through conversations and games. Our goal was simply to bring life. As believers, we carry the life of the Spirit inside of us and the fragrance of Yeshua (2 Cor 2:14-15). It was St. Francis of Assisi who is attributed with saying, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.” This was our mission: preach the Gospel through tea and cookies, through playing rounds of the card game Spoons, through laughter and smiles. We simply give our time. And through that, we communicate to them that they are wanted, even though the world says the opposite. In His Church and in His Kingdom, these precious ones are highly valued, so much so that God has set them up to encounter believers who will love them into relationship with Him.
For the past three months, New Life Church in Nicosia has been housing these 56 refugees. It has been a huge challenge and even greater sacrifice in the natural for the pastors to be caring for all of these needs along with those of their own congregation, but God has poured out grace without measure. The Lord has miraculously provided them with daily donations of food from believers who have heard of this situation. As a result of the love and hospitality displayed by the Church, many of the refugees are attending the Sunday services. Their hearts are softening! Please pray that this love ultimately draws them into acceptance of their Savior!
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