Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. Colossians 4:2-4
I am most thankful today for the freedom that many courageous people over the years have fought and died for. The freedom to walk around in my own home in safety and peace. To do all the simple chores around the house that I do take for granted. The freedom to pray without fear of someone pounding on the door waiting to arrest me. Freedom to go to work….drive my car…..go to the gym.
Freedom from fear of being kicked out of my homeland.
All over the world there are people who were living and working and enjoying freedom just like me. They were prospering in all kinds of different jobs for which they were trained. They educated themselves to better their community. They enjoyed success. They were raising families. Today they are in refugee camps. Their homeland was wrestled away from them violently, their old freedoms are only a memory. They watched their churches and homes be bombed or torn down and some of their Pastors arrested or killed.
My blogger friend David Rupert answered God’s call and went over to those camps. He went into the danger zone and interviewed many of these people. You can read their stories here on his blog. What they have been through, I can scarcely imagine. And yet, in their eyes you can still see joy, and you can see the bond that can never be broken. Because even though they have lost everything, they have their faith and they have their God and each other.
I so appreciate his courage for going over there to bring back their stories because now when I am going about my day doing what I am still so free to do, I think of them. And I pray for them.
Now it’s not just something that is happening somewhere else, it’s something that’s happening to my brothers and sisters in Christ who someday I will meet in Heaven. I can only hope and pray I would be as courageous and strong as they have been if I were put in the same position.
I truly hope I never have to find out.
Lori's Prayer Closet 
Lori. I love this and I so appreciate your kind words and the way you have shared these refugee stories. We have never met, but I consider you a good friend with a tender heart.
David, I know much good fruit will come from your obedience in going over there, in fact there already is! Bless you for your heart and love for the Lord and His people. I also consider you a friend and I know if we never meet this side of Heaven we most certainly will over there! Can you imagine the library there??
Wonderful, Lori!
BTY, just visited your wonderful blog. Nice to know you neighbor! I like to think of all of us bloggers as neighbors visiting across the fence like folks used to do. Thank you for your comment!