Refugees and immigrants continue to arrive in Europe in waves, many without access to a common language, a home, or the means to sustain themselves. They need practical help, but they also need the gospel. Mission workers in Spain, from many nationalities, are working to improve these displaced people’s lives, physically and spiritually.
A Refugee Story
“We met Mohammed and Najet in February at a picnic for newly-arrived refugees. There, in the midst of 30-some strangers, we made a connection. They had fled Algeria as political refugees and were seeking asylum,” says Laura, One Challenge Europe Area Director. “They left behind two precious little girls. They arrived in Spain with hardly any Spanish language and were ‘placed’ in an apartment with a Ukrainian family of four. They can live there, as part of the resettlement program, for up to two years.”
Mohammed and Najet’s story is common among the many who have fled their nations in search of a better life. Believers in Spain are seeking the best practices in how to help these men, and many others, be successful in their new countries.
Involvement from Spanish Churches
A local church in Jerez de la Frontera has a vision for reaching these newly settled immigrants. They have helped them with basic needs, with enrolling their children in school, with accompanying them to doctor’s appointments, and helping them with Spanish. Similar ministries happen in the U.S., but the need is greater than the resources.
“Now that Europe is being flooded with refugees and immigrants from all sides, we have an amazing window of opportunity,” Laura says. “God is bringing the nations to us, giving us the opportunity to serve them, love them, and help provide for their needs. We are called to be God’s hands and feet — and share his heart with those God has brought to us.”
Mission Work in Spain and Europe
A Brazilian pastor in Málaga, Spain saw the need and recruited volunteers, donations of 10 tons of clothing, bedding, shoes, diapers, etc. and as a group, they raised 6,000 euros needed to send four containers to refugee camps in Greece. A group of clowns from a Spanish ministry called “Everything for a Smile” went to the camps in June to bring some cheer to children and families living in miserable conditions.
“We have heard testimonies of churches in Germany, Austria, and Scandinavia that have taken extraordinary steps to meet needs and incorporate immigrants into their communities — and people have come to faith,” Laura says. “One story from Germany tells of dozens of refugees/immigrants, in one day, who came to faith. God is calling people to himself, and he is doing it throughout Europe — through a ‘crisis.’”
Laura, along with other One Challenge mission workers, is excited about working together with other Spanish organizations, church associations, and organizations across Europe to coordinate efforts to best serve these precious people.
Pray with One Challenge
- Pray for open doors for One Challenge teams across Europe.
- Pray for openness to the gospel, may God’s kingdom be multiplied through this great opportunity.
Holistic Ministry
One Challenge is an international agency committed to bringing God’s transforming love and hope to all people. We identify and work to meet the physical, emotional, and social needs of individuals and communities, providing opportunities for deeper level relationships and deeper levels of change. These ministries include education, medical services, agricultural development, community development, and small business mentoring … helping local people to build a healthy community.