morning thought 4 -Thursday
June 17
For the previous 3 days I have shared my
recollections of reaching out to refugees in Macedonia well over 20 years ago
Through Mustard Seed Jersey My next encounter with refugees
was in Albania, working with contacts of Jersey Overseas Aid. It was at the
time of the Kosovan crisis and many refugees had fled to Albania.
A group of 4 of us went from Jersey accompanying
our consignment of over 10 tonnes of humanitarian aid. It was an amazing trip
in many ways. One thing that amazed me was the comparative ease with which our
aid consignment was imported and quickly released for distribution - this
reflected the urgent need because of the influx of refugees in the country.
The Albanian
organization we were working with arranged various distributions to groups of
refugees in the country. It was hard work but thrilling to be so hands on
physically handing out the goods donated from Jersey.
One of
Mustard Seed’s aims has always been to reach out a helping hand to those in
need.
We remember that 2000 years ago
Jesus Christ himself was a refugee when his family fled King Herod’s order to
kill all baby boys under 2 years of age.
Based on a Cafod prayer we pray:
Father God, look down with mercy
on us and all refugees.
Remember your son, our Lord Jesus
Christ,
had to leave his homeland and
flee to Egypt,
when he was a baby.
Help us to be aware
of the fears, anxiety, pain,
sorrow,
difficulties and uncertainty all
refugees suffer.
Holy Spirit,
please give us compassion and
courage
to help them in any way we can.
Amen.