The Refuge Initiative

On Tuesday I presented my discipleship program proposal in class. Entitled "The Refuge Initiative," it is a project aimed to disciple French-African asylum-seeking refugees in Vienna, Austria, provide access to a church where they can grow in their faith, and to help provide for other physical needs as well. The amount of asylum-seeking refugees entering the city over the past few years has been staggering, and because of it there is a great need to be addressed. Asylum-seekers are individuals seeking official refugee status, usually as a result of conflicts or generalized violence rather than individual persecution. Their claims have yet to be definitely evaluated and they are seeking permanent international protection. During the waiting period, they are guaranteed basic care and services such as good, housing, health care, and clothing, but they are housed in small dorm rooms with about 50$ a month to survive. They don't have much to begin with, and have no way to travel far outside of their dormitory. Conditions are less than desirable, and they are basically waiting several months, sometimes years, to receive an answer to their application. There is such a need to reach these individuals.
The Refuge Initiative is a three-part initiative, the first being a weekly bible study/small group located in the refugee home. This will be led by the French-African pastor and his life group, using the curriculum already translated and used in the church. The second part of the project is to provide transportation to church on a weekly basis to the French-African service so they can hear the Gospel in their own language, have a healthy environment to grow spiritually, and fellowship with other believers. The last part of this project is an outreach event at a nearby park within walking distance from the asylum home. Here, we would address some physical needs. All the ministries in the church would come together- people would bring food, there would be games for children, haircuts for women, family portraits, and UN employees to help them with the process of receiving refugee status.
I felt the presentation was successful. I did have to watch out for a few things, however, such as distracting things in my powerpoint and rechecking my mathematical calculations on my handout!

A brief overview of the project:

OWho?

OFrench-speaking Nigerian Asylum seekers

OExpecting around 20 per meeting

OWhat?

OGroup study, access to church weekly, outreach event

OWhere?

OAt asylum home, at church, in park

OWhy?

OTo provide a much-needed spiritual environment for asylum-seekers and access to a church in their own language

OHow long?

OJanuary to April- 4 months (spring semester)

OHow much?

O$861