October 12-17, 2023

Wednesday, October 11 at 8:40pm I received a text message. “Just wanted to let you know I’m booking!!”

My dear friend and brother, Josh, joined me the next day (October 12) to go to Finland. All of us prayed for someone to join me on my trip to Finland. God answered! Another an example of God showing His care and love toward us. 

You may recall the story of “Why are you going to Finland?” I participated in the Afghan Task Force Summit within the Refugee Highway Partnership (see below for more detail). There were 5 focus groups (advocacy, mapping, development, trauma care, spiritual support). I was invited to join the trauma care team.

So, what happened? How was your health? What did God show us? Who participated? What lies ahead? Tell us stories. 

Josh and I arrived a few hours before the gathering began. As we get settled, I recognized several of the other participants. People I met years ago and some most recently from CCA in July. I heard “hey Moses” from an Afghan couple and made eye-contact with my friend, Adrian, who comes over and hugs me. Josh and I feel welcomed and excited. 

The first night one of the Afghan leaders shared an image of relay runners passing a baton (see similar image below). This image set the tone for the gathering as well as ongoing conversations to this day. What comes to your attention? Much to take from this image – both are running & looking ahead, working together, need each other, common goal, etc. Also, that evening we heard Afghan history and Afghan church history. We acknowledged what God has done, is doing, and what might lie ahead. We sang and worshipped together. Beautiful, sweet praises in Afghan languages. 

Story #1 Emma
The next morning Emma shared on unity. She worked for years among the persecuted church. She began with talking about the mind of Christ. “The mind of Christ awakened when we sang together the night before”, she shared. She intrigued me by saying, “if we seek unity, we often will argue. If we seek love, we will unite.” Worth pondering. 

She references Psalm 133 and how worship unifies. Good stuff. 

We all have the mind of Christ and show it via humility. She shared more about worship, leadership, and love. She concluded by talking about men and women especially in the same household. Emma asked, “can we be mirrors of Christ? People do not merely see husband and wife but actually see Jesus and Jesus. Jesus and Jesus work together. Love each other.”

I am captivated by Emma’s words and stories. Afterwards I asked if we might talk. That conversation was full, long, rich and ongoing. We discovered that we have mutual friends, Chad & Leslie, who Emma met in South Asia earlier this year. Crazy, fun, small world. Emma and her husband’s heart for the persecuted especially of women resonates deeply with Angela and me. We spoke of gender specific religious persecution as well as men and women co-laboring, co-leading. We began to dream together. We are praying about what could be. We are expectant. 

Will you pray with us about what lies ahead? 

My health
Besides 4 hours on the first night of feeling terrible with stomach cramping and sweating, my health was all good. No issues at all. Easy travel there and back. The one thing that remains complex is eating with others. Sitting with people while they eat but I am not eating is not the same as sharing a meal with them. All in due time, trusting-hoping-praying. Thanks for asking about my health and continuing to pray with me for healing. We are being invited into more international travel next year. God give us wisdom and Your mercy! 

Who participated?
50+ people gathered for 3 days. People from across Europe, a few Canadians, a handful of Americans, and a couple of people from Australia. 30-35% were Afghans. 25-30% were women. Experienced practitioners from an array of backgrounds. 

What lies ahead?
For us: New friendships and developing partnerships: Emma, Adrian, an Afghan couple, Matt, Kenneth, Markus/Maarit, and others. Teaming with Adrian and others to offer trauma care to Afghans & Iranians within the ATF across the globe and within North America. Accepting invitations to offer trauma care to non-Afghans & Iranians. Forming a network of joy-centered, trauma-sensitive disciple-makers. 

For ATF: This Summit was the first of its kind in Europe and this was a good start. The ATF Core team is strengthening with Afghan leaders. The focus groups are continuing to meet with the addition of two groups – prayer and women. In 2024, there will be a European regional gathering in February with a global gathering later.

Story #2 Kenneth
During one of the many coffee breaks (Fun Fact: Finland drinks more coffee than any other country), I introduced myself to Kenneth by asking him what he enjoys. He responded with “that’s a good question” before sharing all the fun things he does back in Sweden. I learned that he works not only with Afghans but also with Iranians. Our conversation and friendship deepened. 

I knew I was going to like this guy when this happened. On the last day, someone recommended a retreat for Afghan leaders to give them rest as many are tired, weary, and overwhelmed. Kenneth kindly raised his hand and said, “a retreat is okay but what if we did not offer only a retreat but instead taught and modeled a lifestyle of rest. That we begin from a position of rest.” Love this guy! 

Will you pray with Kenneth and his care among Afghans and Iranians?

Story #3 Markus and Maarit 
Markus is the first person we met in Finland. He served us with airport runs. Maarit is an accountant and served the gathering with her administrative giftings. They have 3 young kids. They are like you and me – trying to figure out life with kids, jobs, and past hurts. 

I had 2-3 conversations with Maarit and listened to her story. Enjoyed being with her as she shared about motherhood, transitioning jobs, and her deep love of prayer. Josh and I realized that one reason we came to Finland was to sit with Markus and Maarit. We knew it the moment we met Markus and God confirmed that time and time again. On that Monday, we prayed specifically about a tangible need for Maarit. That Wednesday, Markus texted and said, “the problem got solved.” May they continue to see God’s goodness in everyday life. 

Pause now and pray with Markus, Maarit, and their kids. Ask God to overwhelm them with His love and kindness. 

Who is this group? What do they do?
The Afghan Task Force (ATF) functions under the Refugee Highway Partnership. The purpose of the ATF is to enable a united global Christian response to the needs of the Afghan Christian Community and nation in the context of forced displacement.

Refugee Highway Partnership (RHP) is a global network formed of existing and emerging regions. As part of a refugee movement, impassioned by a God-inspired love for refugees and a biblical mandate to care for forcibly displaced persons, the RHP initiates collaborative activities, speaks as one voice with and for the forcibly displaced and connects, and equips Christians for effective ministry with forcibly displaced people. The RHP is a Global Partner of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA).