Praying with Refugees

Donate Now! | Volunteer! | Take Action! | Keep Informed!
Praying with Refugees

Holding on to Hope

Archives

June 2009

Those we perceive on “the margins of life” often open to us a glimpse of God’s kingdom.    

 

---

Reflection

I have been a refugee for most of my life. I remember clearly the day, years ago, when I fled my country, Burundi, to go to Zaire with my parents and five younger brothers and sisters. We moved to a camp for Burundian refugees where I was to live and work for the next 21 years.

I became a catechist, serving Catholics in the camp, which was a substation of Mboko parish. After 10 years I became the head catechist. I met a Congolese woman, Murishi Janette. We married and started a family.

Today, my life continues as a refugee. My mother died and is buried here in Nduta where my ninth child was born. We are sheltered from war and we receive food every two weeks. But camp life is very hard.  Our family and friends are scattered, I do not know where some of my brothers and sisters are. I continue to serve the church, working as a catechist with JRS. Part of my work involves teaching and preparing young couples for the sacrament of marriage.

There are many difficulties and little joy for us refugees, yet it is impossible for a Christian to lose hope. The patience and endurance I need come from God. After more than 30 years of being a refugee, I am confident God knows when I will return home. 

Nathaniel
JRS Tanzania

Adapted from God in Exile, 2005

---

Suggestion for Prayer

 

---

Scripture reading for prayer:

1 John 3:1-3

See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure.

---

Video from South Sudan

 

---

Share your Reflection

We invite you to share with other visitors to this site the fruit of your prayer on this month’s reflection. Click on the button below to submit your reflection.

---

Shared Reflections

Beautiful pictures and words. It reminds me of why I work for JRS. Rose Marie Cummins Florence, AZ, USA

I am inspired by Nathaniel's message of hope. I pray that we all will be hopeful in times of trouble. Janet New Jersey, USA

It’s amazing to see the kind of hope that  Nathaniel expresses; that trust and resilience is a gift from God. How else would fragile hope be sustained in such circumstances? The whole situation he speaks of reminds me of the people of Israel, following Moses through the desert. They too – in their better days! – were aware of God’s care for them. And they too, were confident that God would be with them through their journey. I keep them in prayer and ask that my own trust in our loving God will be more alive. Beacon, NY, USA

All powerful God hears the prayers of refugees; may God help them and be with them in all their needs. Amen! Levis Jacob Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Top^