Afghan Refugee Response: How to Get Involved
As a missional church we believe deeply in sharing the gospel and the love of Christ with all those we encounter - both at home, in our own towns and neighborhoods, and also globally, to every tribe, tongue, and nation. As the situation in Afghanistan continues to unfold, and thousands of refugees pour into Northern Virginia and the surrounding area, many of us rightly sense a call to action.
Considering the gravity and magnitude of the situation, it can be hard to know where to begin. With this in mind, it is our desire to share with you two resources to provide you with a starting point towards getting involved.
The first is an excellent article written by Rev. Mary Amendolia Gardner for the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic titled, “Afghan Refugees: What You Can Do.” Mary’s article is a brief, practical guide with recommendations of where to begin responding to this crisis. Mary, a former TCFA parishioner and clergy member, is currently the Director of WITH Afghans - OneHeartDC, whose website provides a simple and accessible guide on how to pray and intercede for Afghanistan, as well as Scriptures to pray over those in need. Additionally, it provides easily accessible links to donate financially to several organizations on the frontlines of caring for refugees and facilitating their resettlement, and provides additional links for those interested in volunteering or donating material resources. Visiting this website is an excellent place to start.
Second, we would like to call your attention to the work being facilitated by parishioners Rev. Robert Watkin and Larry Provost through the Oasis Life Network. Already they have identified and trained three TFCA families to serve as hosts to three incoming Afghan refugee families. In addition to seeking more host families, they are looking for additional individuals and families willing to serve on support teams to care for and come around those hosting refugees. If you are interested in learning more or getting involved, Oasis Life Network’s website has additional information and an interest form to fill out. Robert Watkin can be reached directly at robert@oasislifenetwork.org.
Finally, we encourage you to pray. Pray for our displaced Afghan brothers and sisters as they acclimate to a new country and culture; pray for the organizations facilitating their resettlement; pray for the families hosting them; and most of all pray that each Afghan that we, as the church, come into contact with would hear the gospel, experience the love of Christ and come to know Jesus as King and Savior.