Last update here was written two years ago. A lot has happened, time to update again. :)
During these two years we have held 6 camps with at least some refugees as participants. In this case, the refugees came from very different situations. Every church that sent refugees to our camps works in their own way. And there is no wrong or right way to work with them, each way has its own strengths and weaknesses. In our camps we have seen a more wide picture of what the churches have done with their refugee ministry.
Our biggest camp in August 2016 showed that among afghani people there is a deep hunger for knowing more about Jesus and basics of Christianity. People in Iran and Afghanistan have seen the negative sides of Islam. Christianity gives them the answers they have needed.
With arabic-speaking people it was noticeable that the gap between "being a normal muslim" and "following Jesus only" is bigger. For them the way from Islam to Jesus is harder to go. Arabic language and arabi culture basically means very much the same as Islam.
International Camp Partnership in operation
The first camps we held for refugees were organised with "finnish church forces". Then russian friends joined us and actually they carried responsibility for many things in the camps. In many camp our core team consisted of finnish, russian and iranian people. So we can say that our organisation is named properly "International Camp Partnership".
After some trials-and-errors we found fitting way to arrange daily routines. When we come together for food, we enjoy some spiritual food, too. We pray together, read the Bible and explore practical applications of Bible teaching. Then we go to work outside. That is a good time to discuss about on-going thoughts and to digest both the physical and spiritual food. And not the least important, we wash both our bodies and souls in sauna every day. It works even with 3 languages!
What time is it now? What should be done?
For me, I see that it is time to send the discipled ex-muslims to preach the gospel to their neighbours and fellowmen. In every country you can find people groups that out-of-reach from western christians. But these newborn believers still have zeal to tell their friends about what Jesus has done. They are experts in knowing the journey from Islam to Jesus.
Yes, it seems that it comes too early. But if we start talking to christian refugees about sending them out for preaching, I believe that the Holy Spirit will speak straight to hearts. Jesus came to seek the lost. What about us, are we satisfied with having some saved? Or do we trust HIm?