Refugees

By Nicole Chin

When we talk about refugees ,  people have different opinions. There are some who do not care, some who see occasions to help those in need, or (In most cases) negative views. I have to admit, I was one who did not support the refugee program, but as I got to know them, it changed my perception on refugees and that I needed to understand them first before I made any judgements.

First of all, who are refugees? They are people who fled their country because they suffer fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because they are a member of a persecuted 'social group' or because they are fleeing a war (Wikipedia 2013).

Let me share the plight of some of the refugees that I have met since I decided to  get involved in this outreach program

There was this man who came alone 5 years ago and today he is still locked up in the detention Centre hoping for his papers to be approved.  He was a Science teacher back in India, reasonably educated with an engineering degree.

There were other stories of men who were depressed and attempted suicide in the Detention Centre, many of the male refugees left their family and children in India.

I met a girl from Jordan who decided to take refuge in Australia from the Syrian war. Until this day even in Melbourne, she speaks about her constant nightmares or flashbacks of the war, fearing for her life. She is now on depression medication and finding it hard to settle down in Australia as her visa has restricted her from working. Before Australia, She was a flight attendant working for the Royal Jordanian Airlines.

I recently visited a mother with two little girls, who shared a family photo during one of the girls 9^th birthday, today she is 10 years old not knowing when she will see her dad again.

Refugees come for a better life.  If we look back, our parents, great grandparents who left their country of origin and made Australia home, they too came for a better life. Whether we come as refugees or as migrants, should we be treated differently?

They are our brothers and sisters in Christ; they are no different from us in God's eyes.

A Prayer for Refugees

Almighty and merciful God,
whose Son became a refugee
and had no place to call his own;
look with mercy on those who today
are fleeing from danger,
homeless and hungry.

Bless those who work to bring them relief;
inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts; 
and guide the nations of the world towards that day
when all will rejoice in your Kingdom of justice and of peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen.