Happenings Around the World — REFUGEE RELIEF —

Christians need to be reminded that the same Savior that gave us this new life that we rejoice in is calling us to love our neighbors.

E Giving Birth to THE FUTURE By Elvis Džafić

urope is facing a great challenge. The refugee crisis needs a solution, and it needs it quickly before many more people lose their lives. The solution needs to be political in order for us to see the end of the suffering of innocent people. There are clashes between countries and their opinions about

the crisis that are seriously threatening Europe’s unity and freedom for which it stands. In the midst of this crisis there are refugees in search of a safe and warm home. The world is divided. We ask with the Apostle Paul: “Is Christ

divided?” Christ is not divided, but those who follow him are. That is unfortunately a sad truth, even in this crisis. A lot of people are claiming to be following Christ, but are spitting out xenophobic statements about people coming from war-stricken areas. Christians are filled with fear of potential terrorists, and some are claiming refugees need to be deported because they are

Above: Children in the refugee camp in Slavonski Brod

Right: After 25 days of traveling and surviving, a boy comforts his father

(Photos on this and facing page courtesy of Baptist Union of Croatia)

not Christian. It is terrifying to hear. The question poses itself about how well we understand Christ’s teaching and calling. It would be great to see the church speak louder about this crisis and on the behalf of the people who need help instead of politicizing it. Our voice may not put an end to this crisis, but it would raise awareness about the needs and the real situation. We remain hopeful that this will happen. Croatia is also facing difficult problems coming from this crisis. On the one hand, new migrants and refugees are coming in from the south and, on the other, Germany, Austria and Slovenia are sending people back to Croatia. According to Croatian law, anyone who refuses to seek asylum in Croatia has 30 days to leave the country. The last group of 50 people sent back from Slovenia faced the challenge of what to do when these 30 days passed. They walked around cities trying to find help from locals.

22