Why now?

Hello again. As some of you may know (via facebook), I am heading to Europe this summer for a mission trip to one of the largest base camps for refugees in Europe. I figured since I am going to be constantly talking about this till I raise enough funds, I should share a piece of my heart, and why I am doing this. Stick with me for a bit and I will try to make this post worthwhile. Before I go on, I am aware that there are so many different views regarding this issue. I honour and respect every one of you, and if this post has offended you in one way or another, I sincerely apologize in advance.

To begin with, the core beliefs of Engage the Crisis (ETC) are defined as: 

MEETING NEEDS. MAKING DISCIPLES. MOBILIZING LABORERS.

“Engage The Crisis, a relief effort of the Antioch Movement, was created to meet the needs of the large number of refugees currently entering Europe. Our heart is to draw Muslims to Jesus and mobilize this generation to share the love of Christ with these refugees. The Church has an opportunity to define how this historic crisis is spoken about in future generations.”

Refugees are mainly made up of Syrians that make up 10.5 million people. As of 2012 children below the age of 18 comprise 46 percent of the refugee population. There are many good reliable sources online however, here is a brief link regarding the crisis in Europe

Yes, to answer that itching question on everyone’s mind: Why Germany? When the country is mentioned, it is undeniable that people’s faces react. It was as if to say that “Are you going on a holiday or..?” So why? Up till today, Germany has willingly opened its doors to the refugees trying to get into Europe. Today, it has approximately 500,000 migrants and is one of the largest base camps so far. Yes, it may be a really ideal holiday destination, but rest assured, we will not be there for an ideal holiday. :)

So why engage the crisis when most times people run from crisis? Frankly, I do not have firsthand experience with this issue, but let me say that this an urgent call to meet the needs of people who are facing something no human should face. I watched a documentary once that told a story of this boy who refused to go to school (set up by those in the camps). When forced, he curled up and broke down in school, they later found out that the city he lived in, was bombed, although the bombers had no exact target, his school was hit when he was studying. He saw that with his very own eyes. Clearly, that scarred him for life, and walking into a school would relive these happenings over and over again. The depths of the pain felt by this ten-year-old boy is NOTHING any ordinary child should have to go through. It is crazy, that they live a life right out of our game consoles of an ordinary ten-year-old boy. In the documentary, they went on to show the art work of the children. And, tears just flowing down. Pictures of dead bodies, pools of blood, missiles, bear in mind these are children. Children, who grew up and had to mature and see things no child should see in a million years. How can we not help them?

You see, every refugee out there are just like you and me, at least they look like you and me. They have hopes and dreams, they hope and they dream for their kids too. The little ten-year-old boy earlier? His dream was to be a doctor, just like your pre-med friend's dream. Some wanted to be lawyers, some architects. They are real, their dreams are real.

My heart breaks, every time I hear of those trying to enter Europe. I cannot begin to comprehend how terrorizing their journey to safety is. No one (especially the volunteers heading there) can fully comprehend what it is like to leave everything behind, to take this risk - even if it means losing your life, in search for safety. And I say that not to be dramatic or anything, because truth be told almost 5,000 refugees have died trying to travel (by land or sea) to other countries. They are in search of hope, of a new life. Hoping to leave behind those ghastly days - hoping to never have to relive it ever again, hoping that their children will have a brighter, safer, future. And there is no way for them to have this hope apart from Jesus. As much we pray and offer our assistance, these migrants cannot be dependent on any human. Yet, we have this hope in a Saviour, and this love we know will be so willing to accept and love the brokenhearted. Truth be told, the least we can do is tell them that there is hope in a God that never fails. For them to have Jesus for themselves, and the security of knowing that life, and all it holds - is in the hands of the One who cares. That itself is the ultimate reward of every volunteer sent out by ETC.

The suffering of the world will always be harsh, it will always come back to beat you up, yet with the eternal hope, the hope that leaves the suffering of the world behind. The hope that helps you get up every time you fall. The hope that plans for you to prosper, to give you a future, and a chance to leave all your burden at the feet of One who cares.


If you ask me, I think it'd be selfish not to share this hope I have. So why now? I say, why not now?

I am excited to be a part of this movement, and I cannot begin to tell you how blessed I am to be able to be on this trip. Thank you, to everyone who has encouraged me to actually decide to go on the trip, and for future sponsors, I am always grateful for you guys. Thank you.

(Talk to me if you want to support me in any way!)