This past week, my team has been working in an area called Porte de la Chapelle, which is an area in northern Paris where many refugees have congregated. Our intent has been to show the refugees the love of Jesus by spending time with them, hearing their stories, and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with them.
In Porte de la Chapelle, the refugees are living in tents underneath highway bridges and in-between intersections. While many people simply walk past them each day on their way to work, there are several groups that are working with them on a continual basis. Utopia56 is a governmental organization that provides food, tents, clothing, and water to the refugees throughout the day. There are several other organizations that provide food and also work with the refugees by teaching French.
As we’ve been going to the refugee camp, we’ve been making friends from all over the world. I’ve spent the past few days under one part of the bridge where I’ve made friends from Somalia, Sudan, Afghanistan, Iran, and Eritrea. These are people who’ve fled their countries for various reasons—some have fled the war in Sudan while others have fled the Taliban in Afghanistan. I met a man from Afghanistan who speaks seven languages and acted as an interpreter for the US military. He said he had to leave because anyone who had any affiliation with the US military in Afghanistan was threatened to be killed by the Taliban.
Every person I’ve met has a story. As I’ve listened, I’ve seen the grief and sorrow come over them. Their mood changes and their eyes look longingly in the distance, as if they were thinking about things they don’t want to remember. These people have seen and experienced more than anyone should in their lifetime—and many of these people are around my age. Many have seen family members killed and have had friends die along the way. One man told me about how his friend died while they were crossing the Mediterranean Sea.
Hearing their stories is so overwhelming and heartbreaking. At the same time, I am reminded of the story of Joseph in Genesis. What Satan meant for evil in Joseph’s life, God brought so much good out of, and I see that with these refugees. Because of all the evil that has happened in various countries around the world, people are seeking refuge and they are now at our doorstep–people from places like Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan, Iran, Kuwait, and Eritrea. Many of these places are closed countries that missionaries can’t get into—and yet, these people are here. What Satan meant for evil, God is using for good because these people who may have never been able to hear the gospel are hearing it for the first time—in Paris. And that is the most amazing thing.
This past week has been full of building relationships with people and sharing the gospel. Two girls on my team led a Muslim man to Christ and prayed for another person who’s arm was hurt and he was healed. God is moving here in Paris—among the Parisians and among the refugees. Please be in prayer as we continue to serve the refugees here in Paris!
Praises:
1. We have housing for the rest of our time in Paris! Yay! God allowed us to stay where we are and the owner agreed to lower the price to fit within our World Race budget. God is so good!
2. My team has built some amazing relationships with refugees and we have started doing Bible studies with several people.
Prayer Requests:
1. Pray for the refugees. Pray specifically that the Lord would begin giving them dreams and visions of Jesus Christ.
2. Pray for our team that we would continue to grow and develop a healthy community.
3. I can’t give many details yet, but please be in prayer for this Thursday evening! We get to be part of something really exciting with the refugees. It’s currently on the down-low, but I will be sure to let you know about it afterwards!
4. My shoulder has been tightening up, so please pray for it to relax!
