Escape: Refugees in Brazil

A letter from Marta Carriker serving in Brazil

October 2015 

Only those who have ever felt their lives were threatened can fully understand the meaning of escape.  This year we witnessed the flight of thousands of refugees from Syria trying to escape the horrors of war, struggling to reach safer shores in Europe.  We witnessed on TV as these weary travelers were either rejected or accepted along their journey.  Some looked at them as a burden too heavy to bear, coming to make life even more difficult than it already is in their countries.  Others were moved by their plight, by their death, especially the death of children, and decided to open their homes to help.

In Brazil we have received some of these Syrian refugees. Tim and I have personally received prayer requests for Syrian families that have been “adopted” by churches we know.

And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod  (Matthew 2.14).

Brazil has also received thousands of Haitian immigrants who have crossed borders in search for a new beginning.  These were trying to escape a situation where

Demonstration in Oxford welcoming immigrants

making a living seemed almost impossible.  They come to Brazil in search of employment and send money home to provide for their families.  Many eat one meal a day in order to do that.  But unfortunately, and despite Brazil’s reputation as a nation open to immigrants, one of these Haitians was recently killed on the streets of a city close to where we live.  The young Haitian man was already well adjusted and in this case even had a Brazilian wife.  His family was returning home when he was brutally attacked by Brazilians who called him names, picked a fight, and ended up killing him.  His murderers are now in jail, having wasted their own lives and lost their freedom because of hate.

Thankfully there are also Brazilians who are welcoming Haitians and even providing them with a place of worship.  Today I attended a worship service like that, in French, right here in Florianópolis.  There were about 20 Haitians present.  After the service one of the things the pastor talked about was the Haitians’ need for legal advice so they could better understand their rights as workers in the country they have adopted.  The pastor’s comment was rooted in the fact that one of the Haitian women had mentioned that she would not be able to attend church the following week because her employer only allowed her to go out twice a month.  That is exploitation, and the pastor decided to invite a lawyer

Group of Haitian immigrants welcomed at a Brazilian church

from the church to explain to the Haitians what their rights are.  This church is reaching out and serving those in need just as many of our churches in the United States have been doing for a long time.

As we approach Christmas we should not forget that our Savior was once a refugee himself. His family had to escape the hate of Herod, cross borders, and seek the hospitality of the Egyptians.  As we ponder the sense of relief experienced by those who are able to escape war, persecution and death, may we be moved to open our doors and invite strangers in to share in the blessings we have been so generously given.  May we also remember to spend time getting to know those who have served us throughout the year, in whatever capacity we have had need. May we bless as we have been blessed and forgive as we have been forgiven because our Lord came to this world to turn our darkness into light, to bring life and forgiveness and blessing.

As we end this year, we thank you for being a blessing to us.  Your prayers, your financial support and your constant manifestations of love and concern have been a source of solace and strength.  Please continue to support God’s mission through Presbyterian World Mission.

Marta

The 2015 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 49