The Refugees are coming..Now what?

October 2015

I bet you are wondering, "What is going on with the refugees in Europe?" Well I wish I had the answer, but the truth is, they are not here in the Netherlands yet. They are preparing for the refugees to come, but they are still mainly in Germany. The Red Cross, Salvation Army, and the COA or Centraal Orgaan opvang asielzoekers (Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers) are working to get housing and supplies ready when they arrive. Here are a few links you can look at to see what they are doing:

http://www. dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2015/09/thousands-answer-dutch-red-cross-refugee-volunteer-call/

http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/news/inr040915

From the above article here is a preview of what they are planning:

"In The Netherlands The Salvation Army has doubled its capacity for hosting refugees from

75 to 150 beds, with additional beds in crisis centres for the most marginalised. Refugees

living in other shelters are being provided with clothing."

I just received information that some refugees arrived in Leiden and Voorschoten yesterday. The Red Cross has arranged emergency shelter:

http://www.omroepwest.nl/nieuws/2956523/Vluchtelingen-vrijdagavond-naar-Leiden-en-Voorschoten-noodopvang-in-sporthallen

(You can translate to English if it is in Dutch)

I have been attending more of Phil's classes. In his Ethics of War and Peace he is helping the students understand what Just War and Pacifism are, and where the Bible stands with this topic. The last class I attended had two students give presentations of Just War and why they believed Just War is alright. They were from Greece and Rwanda, and they brought in where their countries stand, both being Just War based. It brought on interesting discussion (Especially for Rwanda). These are not easy topics, but the students discuss them, and seek help from the Bible.

Tyndale is staffed by missionaries from all over the world. When I say "staffed" that does not mean that they get paid through a salary, because they don't!

Some of the staff and students at Tyndale

Linda is the librarian at Tyndale. She also teaches English classes. She uses scripture, and asks the students to take turns reading each verse. They go verse by verse so they can break down the scripture and make sure that each word is understood.

Phil had a lecture at the Trinity International Baptist Church, "A Brief Introduction to Islam." Many people from the church came to listen because they knew nothing about Muslims and they want to be able to know how to interact with them. A big point that he had was that, many Muslims have never read the Bible, even though it is a sacred text to them. So Phil says to just tell them to read the Bible. Don't have arguments with them, just stay on what Christians and Muslims agree on and let the Holy Spirit work through them. Even though the refugees have not made it to the Netherlands yet, there are are Muslims in their neighborhoods. Some of the people here want to have a little understanding about their beliefs. That people want to start relationships is a hopeful sign for Christians and Muslims coexisting together.