A Gift from God to the Refugees: TRANSLATION and CLEAR COMMUNICATION

Wednesday nights at the Oasis is when we share a message from the Bible with up to 80 refugees who come to hear. Typically we welcome the refugees, have about 3 songs from a musician, a message from the Bible and then time for visiting with refugees over coffee/tea and cakes.

We do not know exactly who will come each week and so TRANSLATION and CLEAR COMMUNICATION, can be a struggle. For the past 2 years or more, the majority of refugees who come, speak Farsi. Leo (not his real name) has been coming to help us for more than a year now. He is from a Farsi speaking country and also knows English and German well. Because of Leo, 90% of our visitors on a typical Wednesday night can hear a message from the Bible in their own language--Farsi.

Leo is a volunteer at the Oasis and serves the Lord in other ways beyond the Oasis ministry. When he comes to the Oasis, he does not come alone. He brings 3 to 4 other believers who also speak Farsi. After the message, they have a chance to speak about the message or about other spiritual questions Farsi speaking refugees have. They help provide CLEAR COMMUNICATION for those who do not speak English or German but speak Farsi.

AND Wednesday night is not the only night that Leo and his friends are ministering at the Oasis. They also meet on another night of the week to lead a bible study that is only in Farsi. It is open to any and all refugees who speak Farsi. Leo and his friends know Farsi, they know about Islam, they know the Persian cultures they are from, and are therefore able to relate closely to many of the refugees. They are a huge part of the ministry at the Oasis AND A GIFT FROM GOD TO THE REFUGEES.

None of the full time staff at the Oasis speaks fluent Farsi. But God has provided the right people, Leo and his friends, who are taking the message of Jesus to the Farsi speaking refugees who come to the Oasis.

I Corinthians 12:12
… 12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. ...

The Oasis full time staff is a part of the body of Christ, and Leo and his friends are also a vital part of the body. We are very thankful to God for His gift to the Refguees: Leo and his friends who provide TRANSLATION and CLEAR COMMUNICATION ! ! !

Dan Lincoln