Leave What Remains for the Foreigner, the Fatherless and the Widow
Europe’s Refugee Hospitality—But for How Long?
The Arab Spring from 2010 to 2011 led to a surge of refugees from the Middle East and North Africa. Many attempted to cross the Mediterranean to Europe in old boats, resulting in countless deaths due to shipwrecks. From 2015 onward, the number of refugees heading to Europe skyrocketed due to the Syrian crisis, leading to a sharp rise in incidents at sea, borders, and land routes.
Refugees from Syria, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Pakistan entered Europe. Italy, Malta, and Greece, being Mediterranean-bordering countries, were heavily impacted by the influx. Frustration grew as some EU nations responded passively.
Refugee Status in Europe
By 2017, recognized refugees in Europe included 690,000 in Germany, 250,000 in France, 220,000 in the UK, 100,000 in Austria, 80,000 in Sweden, and 75,000 in Belgium. The number of undocumented immigrants was estimated to be up to 4.8 million, with 70% residing in Germany, the UK, Italy, and France—about 1.2 million in Germany alone. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, millions of Ukrainian refugees entered Eastern and Western Europe.
Germany: Europe’s Largest Refugee-Hosting Country
Germany is the largest refugee-hosting country in Europe. During the height of the Syrian civil war in 2014–2015, it accepted over 1 million refugees. The government provided language and vocational training to help their integration. In 2022, the country took in 400,000 Ukrainian refugees in just two months, and currently hosts 725,000. Two-thirds of the population has participated in supporting Ukrainian refugees, welcoming them actively. Those arriving in Germany receive a three-year residence permit without needing to apply for asylum, along with basic living assistance and employment support.
Poland: Hosting 3.7 Million Ukrainian Refugees
Poland has taken in 3.7 million Ukrainian refugees since the war began. The country was praised by the international community for its open-door policy, implementing a law granting 18 months of basic welfare services and work opportunities to refugees. However, national policies on education, childcare, and social integration were lacking, leaving most of the burden on local governments, NGOs, and citizens. Moldova, one of Europe’s poorest nations, has accommodated 100,000 Ukrainian refugees.
EU-Level Response
The European Union (EU) is providing additional financial aid to Poland, which has taken in the most refugees, and is working on relocating them to other European countries. However, due to rising energy prices and economic downturns, governments are cutting their refugee aid budgets, and public support for helping refugees is gradually fading.
Increase in Muslim Conversions to Christianity Through Refugee Ministries
Most Syrian refugees heading to Europe pass through Greece. The Greek Orthodox Church has established a group called Apostoli to provide safe shelter for unaccompanied minors. At the Hungarian border, Pastor Tibor Varga distributes clothes, blankets, and food to refugees while living among them and building relationships. These refugee ministries have led to a significant number of Muslim refugees converting to Christianity in Germany, Austria, and the UK. In Berlin’s Trinity Church alone, 500 Muslims converted, and in Austria, 70% of all converts in 2016 were refugees. Dr. Sam George of Wheaton College explained, “Many Muslims have lost their religious foundation after leaving their home countries, making them more open to the gospel.” He added, “God is doing incredible work all around the world.”
》Scripture Prayer
Deuteronomy 24:17-21(NIV)
17 Do not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge.
18 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this.
19 When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
20 When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow.
21 When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow.
1 Timothy 6:6-12(NIV)
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
》Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1. For a long time, Europe has been accepting refugees from North Africa and the Middle East. However, the number has not decreased, and many still risk their lives crossing the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe. Let us pray that European governments and churches will gladly share what they have to help refugees and become a channel of God’s grace and love.
2. Let us pray for countries such as the European Union, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Poland to support refugees. These nations are also facing political, economic, and social difficulties, but they are now in a position where they must care for those suffering from war. Let us ask the Lord to give the people of Europe hearts full of gratitude and contentment, restore their faith, and lead them to serve and love their struggling neighbors.
3. Let us praise God for reviving European churches as they provide refuge and aid to refugees. God’s salvation cannot be accomplished through temporary good deeds alone. Let us pray that European churches will fight the good fight of faith, hold on to eternal life, and boldly proclaim the gospel of the cross.
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