refugees in Vorarlberg

last week the team leader from FCR (on my right) visited some refugees in the far western part of Austria. Noah and I went to spend part of this time with him and his family.

There are several hundred refugees all in different locations within a 20 mile area. As we sat around the table talking with a group of these guys who were christians, and they said there is a huge need to visit these refugees to encourage them and help them as they are able. Some are in prison and these especially need the encouragement. The need for this encouragement reminds me of the ending in Colossians. Paul dedicated nearly the entire last chapter to all the prayers and greetings that were being sent and given.

As we sat around the table talking about the needs, the light went on for all of us at the same time. One of these guys could work as a kind of pastor. The only thing keeping this from happening is the need for a monthly bus ticket. If we could figure out some way to organize this ticket, then he could go around from house to house to visit and encourage, pray and bring God's word.

grace of god

Yesterday a refugee that I knew in Austria called me from Italy. He told me that it is hard to live there, however he has a friend in Rome who has offered for him to move in with him. They sell household items from dour to door in order to make ends meet. He said by God's grace I will make it."

Then today I was on the bus in Innsbruck and I sat down next to a refugee I had not seen in over a year. He had been moved last winter to a house in the mountains. He said the snow was too deep and it was too difficult to live there anymore. He left the system and now lives on his own in Innsbruck. He sells newspapers on the corner and is barely making it. From this income he said I have to pay my rent, buy food and my bus ticket. It is not easy, I have to start from nothing but by the grace of God I will make it.

I thought, "Is this God's grace at work?" Here in the 8th wealthiest country in the world -per capita, could God be turing the world order upside down?

A tribute and a little help for a Somalian friend.

Over four years ago when we began to research and prepare for a team in Rome, we met a Somalian man named Hassan on the streets. He has lived in Rome for over 10 years. Each time I have been back to Rome, Hassan has been a key person in helping us to meet the somalian community and to find our way around the city.

He has spent hours and days with us as we have searched the city. Often late at night as we would go behind the train station or in the parks to find the homeless he would say, "oh you can't go there alone. That's too dangerous," -and so he would come with us.

Hassan has kept in touch these past years, and everytime I talk to him, he asks, "when are you coming back." Hassan needs us and we need him.

In two weeks, Hassan is bringing his mother to visit some relatives in northern Virginia. He has asked if I know anywhere he can stay economically. I wish I could be there to meet him in America.

Does anyone know of a place he could stay in northern Virginia?

Here we are with Hassan at supper in Rome.

Please email me if you know of a place for Hassan. thanks.

paul.sydnor@iteams.org

butterflies

After church, we went to the museum to see a special exhibition on butterflies. The exhibit was a combination of art and biiology with microscopes to look through and real live cocoons and butterflies flying about. A guide showed us around, and I saw again how post-christian and catholic austrian society is.

Our guide pointed out that many of the artists use butterflies to portray the soul, however she never mentioned heaven or hell. Instead she only referred to the "pure state of the soul" of the beautiful, white butterflies, or the "mystical threat of death" of the dark moths.

At one point she described a dutch artist who lived in Holland in the 1700's, who had joined a protestant community. She referred to this as "joining a sect". Where the artist would have painted with a clear understanding of heaven and hell and our relation to these through the creator, nowadays our guide had no concept --and almost- no words for this.

the butterfly exhibit reminded me how far apart the post christian european is from the global christian refugee that I work with.

school year ends

The boys' last day of school was July 8. It was also the first "graduating class" of the christian elementary school which we helped to found 4 years ago. I have been helping ever since in the leadership team, as well as with teaching English. We had a full class this year and already there is a waiting list for next year. The school is growing and we will have to start a second class soon.

Here I am with some of the class this year.


By the way, Tessa also finished her testing for homeschool. she took the tests in all the subjects at the local jr. high. She passed with A & B's! She also took part in the track meet for her phys- ed test. Next year the school principal said, her "test" will be the school's triathlon!

Lonnie Frisbee documentary

I recently watched "Frisbee: The Life and Death of a Hippie Preacher". This is a documentary film by David di Sabatino that was nominated for an emmy award this spring. According to its producers, the film seeks to document the "risk-taking nature of God who seeks to align himself with the most unlikely nature of characters. "

The film gives a glimpse into the nature of pentecostal faith and the truth that God's ways are not our ways. And our understanding of things is only a poor reflection of what is really going on.

The FAQ on the website is also pretty good. It speaks about issues that I face in my own ministry -things like: evangelical leadership; mentoring; charisma; controversial issues; accountability; authenticity; fallibility.