Operation Safe Havens
First posted at:
https://barnabasfund.org/appeals/Operation-Safe-Havens-Rescuing-Christians-in-Danger
Dear Friend,
“Be a safe place for those on the run from the killing fields.” (Isaiah 16:4)* Operation Safe Havens: Rescuing Christians in Danger I recently returned from a trip to five countries of the Middle East. I have visited the region countless times over the last two decades and have seen first-hand the tragic deterioration of the situation for Christians, especially in countries like Syria and Iraq where they used to be treated with respect as equal citizens.
The Christians are now in deadly danger. They compare the rise of the Islamic State group (IS) with the invasion of the Mongol hordes many centuries ago. The Mongols completely destroyed the Church in much of their territory, and IS seems intent on doing the same. A Christian presence and witness 2,000 years old is disappearing before our eyes.
We cannot do much to change the course of political/military events (except to pray), but we can rescue our brothers and sisters from the acute threat they face in the “killing fields” of IS.
Many Christians, who had clung on in their beloved homelands until now, have finally decided they must leave. But how? They are desperately vulnerable to abuse from people-traffickers who take all their money and abandon them. Some have drowned trying to cross the Mediterranean. Even getting a passport can be unaffordable. What they need is a safe route to a safe haven where they can settle and live in peace, freedom and security.
Barnabas Fund has launched Operation Safe Havens to rescue Christians in danger and to resettle them with dignity.
Last month, as I travelled with my wife Rosemary and Caroline Kerslake, Barnabas Fund’s International Director of Projects, we heard many Middle Eastern Christian leaders say, “If we have reached the stage where Christians feel they have no option but to leave, there should be proper orderly arrangements made.”
This is what Operation Safe Havens will provide.
Barnabas Fund will work with governments around the world to arrange visas, and with local churches in receiving countries to ensure that the families are helped to settle in, learn the language, and find work to support themselves.
Over recent months the Marquess of Reading (Patron of Barnabas Fund) and Sir Charles Hoare Bt. have been diligently visiting likely receiving countries to discuss with their governments on behalf of Barnabas Fund the provision of visas for persecuted Middle Eastern Christians. As a result, the Polish Prime Minster announced in Parliament on 26 May that Poland is willing to take 60 Christian families from Syria. Polish churches are standing by to assist the new arrivals. Following this initial group a total of 300 families will go to Poland, and other countries will soon be involved too.
Are there any other options for persecuted Christians?
Helping Christians to escape to another country is a last resort, reflecting the most desperate circumstances. Another option for Middle Eastern Christians at this time is to remain in place. Some of the elderly and sick cannot travel, and some cannot bear to leave the land they love. Others who fled – temporarily as they thought – to safer parts of the Middle East may even choose to return home; as the months and years pass, their places of refuge become less safe, and the pressures of living in unsuitable accommodation and being unable to get work build up. Alternatively they may decide that they will never be able to go home and will try to integrate into the places they have fled to, such as Iraqi Kurdistan, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey or government-controlled Syria. Barnabas Fund is helping support Middle Eastern Christians who have made all these choices, providing food, medical aid and emergency accommodation, including Sawra Tented Village in Iraqi Kurdistan.
But now the time has come to help those who urgently need to emigrate from the region altogether and resettle in another culture. Hence the launch of Operation Safe Havens. It builds on Barnabas Fund’s previous rescue projects such as getting 8,000 South Sudanese Christians safely out of Sudan and back to South Sudan, as well as helping Pakistani Christians, Hmong Vietnamese and others.
What can you do today to help?
The first group of 60 Syrian Christian families are to be received in Poland as soon as travel arrangements have been made. Working with Esther Foundation, Barnabas Fund will pay their airfares, other travel costs, and basic living expenses for one year. Polish churches, coordinated by the Esther Foundation, will welcome and care for the new arrivals.
The estimated cost of supporting the Syrian Christians in Poland is $48 per person per week. That means about $2,540 per person for the year. (Travel costs to Poland are also needed, but will vary according to several factors.) Help us rescue Christians from the killing fields.
What can you give? What else can you do? We are looking for churches in other countries to receive, welcome and settle other Christians escaping from Syria and Iraq. Can your and your church help with this? Thousands of Christian families need to leave. Christians from a Muslim background are at special risk, as they will be wiped out by IS because of their choice to leave Islam and follow Christ.
Please be in touch if your church can become involved. Many churches will be marking World Refugee Sunday on 14 or 21 June. Can your church pray for Operation Safe Havens and take up an offering to help rescue Syrian Christians?
Above all please pray, every day, for the Lord in His mercy to protect His people and restore peace and stability for all.
With our Lord’s blessings,
Dr Patrick Sookhdeo
*The Message
Give Today
If you would like to make a gift to rescue Christians in danger, please direct your donation to Operation Safe Havens (project 00-1199). Call: (07) 3806 1076 or 1300 365 799.
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