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The life of evangelical churches and their spiritual leaders has been portrayed in some recent films and series. Can they help us start conversations?
Several faith organizations are working together to help the Venezuelan refugees. Three million Venezuelans have left their country in the last year. “This is the biggest refugee crisis in South America”, the UN says.
The Brazilian-Venezuelan Baptist mission, in Roraima. / Photo: Noemí Mena Montes
A tragedy is taking place in the limbo of the border cities of Roraima and Boa Vista, where one thousand Venezuelans are crossing the border with Brazil every day to flee hunger and poverty.
They are desperate because they cannot buy food anymore; the price of one single chicken or one table of chocolate is the equivalent of the monthly salary. In the last months, many people could only afford to have one meal a day and their children are suffering from malnutrition.
COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS
In the midst of this crisis, smartphones are among the most expensive goods, a luxury that Venezuelans cannot afford to buy or repair anymore. The lack of this basic 21st century tech is causing an information blackout.
Without mobile phones, thousands of refugees hang around in the streets of Pacaraima and Boa Vista, not knowing what is going to happen to them.
On one hand, they cannot talk with their relatives often, and on the other hand, they do not have easy access to information about Brazil and possible resources to build up their lives there.
BROKEN FAMILIES
Back in Venezuela, it is not possible to make international calls, and in some areas it is not even possible for people to make local calls. Maria, originally from a town not far from Barcelona (Venezuela), has been living for six weeks in the streets of Pacaraima, a Brazilian border city.
She has not been able to reach her children for over a month. The impact of this disconnection has enormous consequences as many families have been forced to flee to neighbouring countries, in order to find food and a job, at the expense of being separated from their loved ones.
CHRISTIANS OFFERING HELP
The migratory pressure on the local population of the isolated border of Roraima is enormous, therefore the environment is increasingly hostile. Violence between locals and refugees has recently erupted.
However, many refugees always mentioned that the Brazilian Christians are helping them. Many of them are camping around the churches, where they usually get food and practical assistance and feel welcomed.
The patio of a Catholic church is now a place where many refugees spend hours waiting for information. The volunteers and people working in the church are overwhelmed by so many refugees asking for help.
This church is also a place where people feel safe, so that they are much more open to talk about their life and experiences, than when you meet them in the streets.
AID NETWORK
There’s a network of religious organizations working together to provide the first-need help to all the refugees in the streets. They receive no support from local, state and federal governments to carry out their activities.
Catholic priest Padre Elvis explained that for first time in the history of this Brazilian region, all the churches are working together to help the refugees. He believes that in the church there are no immigrants, there are Christians.
Another place where many people go for help is the Brazilian-Venezuelan Baptist mission, where they give them water, access to bathrooms and Internet.
But the support that the mission receive from the local community is declining, because Brazilians are tired of seeing their city become increasingly chaotic and insecure.
UN: “THE BIGGEST REFUGEE CRISIS OF SOUTH AMERICA”
Refugees are worried about the change of attitude of the Brazilian population, but at the same time, they emphasize that they have felt welcomed by the Christians of Brazil, and hope to return soon to their country.
However, nothing indicates that the situation in Venezuela will improve in the short term. The humanitarian crisis in this country is reaching alarming levels of misery.
The United Nations just published a report confirming that 3 million Venezuelans have left their country in the last year and declaring that “this is the biggest refugee crisis in South America”.
“Latin America and the Caribbean countries reception capacity is severely strained, requiring a more robust and immediate response from the international community if this generosity and solidarity are to continue”, said Eduardo Stein, UNHCR-IOM Joint Special Representative for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela.
Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) are the smallest Artiodactyl mammals of the Cervidae family that exist in Eurasia. Adult males can reach a height of 65 cm and a weight of 30 kg.
We think so much of humans that we forget we can talk to the King of the Universe, God himself! He made all the thousands of people that we consider so “important”.
Julia Doxat-Purser: 25 years of EEA office in Brussels
An interview with the socio-political representative of the European Evangelical Alliance about how evangelical Christians work at the heart of the European Union.
Lars Dahle: Nominal Christianity, a mission field for the church
An interview with Lars Dahle, of the Steering Committee of the Lausanne Movement Global Consultation on Nominal Christianity held in Rome.
AEA Plaza opens to serve African evangelicals
After many years of labour, the Association of Evangelicals in Africa officially opened its new centre in Nairobi, Kenya. “Africa, your time has come!”, said the World Evangelical Alliance Secretary General Efraim Tendero.
‘Small churches, big potential for transformation’
Photos of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance’s annual gathering “Idea 2019”, in Murcia. Politicians and church leaders discussed about the role of minorities in society.
What prevents us from making disciples who make disciples?
An answer by Josef Pavlinak, Director of Integrity Life.
A call to prayer from the streets of Venezuela
In the midst of the turmoil in Venezuela, Pastor Carlos Vielma, Vice President of the Union of Christian Churches of Venezuela, sent out an urgent plea for Christians everywhere to pray.
Romania: God’s Word among Roma people
Gypsies are one of the largest ethnic minority groups in Romania. According to 2013 estimates, the Roma groups make up 10% of the country's population, accounting for about 1.5 million people.
Opinions expressed are those of their respective contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of Evangelical Focus.
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