Volunteers from the “Welcome Refugees” initiative took people in, sharing their homes, food and gathering funds to help them on their way back. It is not just that people are not finding the life they have been looking for, or are being

turned away. Other problems arise: human trafficking, prostitution, drug sales, gun sales, etc. I had the opportunity to meet a person involved in an anti-trafficking project for years. It appears that walking thousands of miles is not the worst part of this story for some people. Volunteers in the refugee camp in Slavonski Brod face the reality of a constant influx of people in search of a better life in Europe, and their very real needs. Volunteer activities in the camp range from psychological help to humanitarian aid. With the coming of spring, the number of refugees increased and so did the need for volunteers and funds. On a weekly basis, with two coordinators and an average of five volunteers, we distributed 5,000 socks, underwear and shoes.

There is so much more to be done. The need for these small items is very important. People come to us with wet feet or no

socks. A sock is a small spark of light for them. The smiles and the deep gratitude they show when they receive these items give us volunteers the strength to work, sometimes up to 18 hours a day. Christianity is about a personal faith in the Savior and a life of holiness and devotion.

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.

May God help us to be sensitive to the needs of others, to be aware and grateful for what

we have – our home, food and God’s provision. May our conscience be touched by the Spirit and our deeds show Christ in us.

Elvis Džafić is volunteer coordinator for refugees for the Baptist Union of Croatia.

Left: Refugees boarding a train to Germany

Above: This little girl was born in the refugee camp in Slavonski Brod, and was taken care of by Baptist volunteers. Her name is Croatia – after the country she was born in.

W

Meeting Needs IN SERBIA By Nyúl Zoltán

e’ve been working with the refugees since late September 2015. At first around the old brick factory in Subotica, then at the camp in Opatovac (Croatia),

since late November at the train station in Sid, and the highway rest stop/gas station near the Serbian-Croatian border. In that time we have seen babies barely a month old and even a 105 year old lady. It is a really moving experience and a much needed help working with refugees. In the earliest months our main focus was to hand out as much water as we could because of the extreme heat. We also made food packages and hygiene packs for babies and women. As the colder weather started setting in, we refocused and

started handing out hats and scarves with candy for the children, all the while still delivering about 1,500 bottles of water to the train station in Sid every day. Later, along with the hats we also handed out socks, gloves and scarves for both children and adults.

As we saw that the Red Cross and other organizations would

take care of handing out food packages, we focused on clothing and hygiene packs for women. A number of times we showed up with a car filled with only women’s shoes, because that was a really big need. We need more funding if we are to continue to bring the refugees warm clothing, blankets for the babies and small children, shoes (a really big need!) and hygiene packs for women. The migrants’ crisis continues, but we have exhausted our

funds. If it is at all possible, we need more help. We are ready to continue. Thank you for your help and support so far. We appreciate it very much indeed. Nyúl Zoltán is refugee project coordinator for Baptist Aid

Serbia. APRIL/JUNE 2016 23