In case you are a blog reader but not a Facebook friend, allow me to start at the beginning. There has been some fighting between the Fulani and another tribe. The Fulani people were forced to flee - some with only the clothes on their back. Their homes and crops have been burned and their cattle sold. The government set up a refugee camp just 3.5km from our house which is on the hospital property. This camp has over 400 people in it and their is another camp with over 1000 people south of Mango in the village of Gando.
Erin, Anna and I went to the camp to greet the people this past Sunday. After our visit we really felt like we wanted to do something. But what in the world could the 3 of us do for more than 400 people who have lost everything? Honestly, not much. In the end we must have decided that something small was better than nothing at all because we drove back into town and bought some items to make each family a care package. We put them together and headed back to the camp the next morning to give them out.
The distribution went well and the people seemed very thankful. We explained to the mayor that the packages weren't much but that we were also praying for them and just wanted the people to know that we care. At the end of our time there Anna gave the acting chief and 2 elders each a copy of the book of Luke in Arabic script but Fulfude words. We are praying that there is someone in the camp who can read them. Seeing this refugee camp in person has certainly left an impression on me. These people are suffering in a way that I cannot understand.
Thankfully, there is Someone who does understand. Pray that these precious people will one day know the One who loves them and gave His life for them. Pray that we, as a team, will know how to help in the days ahead.
