Syrian refugees find hope in Jesus Christ

Girlie Ponce Monday, September 05, 2016

Amid the hardship of life in Turkish refugee camps, displaced Syrians are finding hope by discovering Jesus through the help of concerned Christians.

Turkey reportedly has the highest number of Syrian refugees among Middle East countries that have opened their doors to help them escape from their war-stricken homeland.

Syrian refugees in Turkey are shown in this photo. | Reuters/Murad Sezer

The number hits nearly three million refugees. A lot of them still battle for their lives in government-run camps. The failed coup in Turkey last July has averted the government's attention to the country's current political crisis and public interest in the refugees' plight has waned, according to Christian Aid Mission.

This is the main reason why ministries have doubled their efforts in providing basic necessities like water, feminine hygiene products, medicine and vitamins to 3,500 people. The camps, located in the southern part of Turkey, are visited by ministry workers bimonthly.

The ministry recently witnessed a difference in the refugees' spiritual vocabulary.

The director of a ministry based in area said, "In Turkey, Muslims say the words, Hazreti Isa to express that Jesus was a prophet - they have in mind the meaning, 'Prophet Jesus. But now the refugees are saying 'Jesus Christ' like us, instead of Prophet Jesus. Praise God that seeds are beginning to take root. In every tent, when we talk about Jesus, we are seeing this change when we translate."

According to the ministry director the children help them as translators for the older refugees. They also reportedly translate prayers. "The children are learning Turkish very fast and are helping their families. They are also helping us. When we arrive in the trucks at the tent camps, they yell to everyone, 'The Christian helpers have come!' They are helping people line up so we can distribute things orderly and effectively," he added.

To help alleviate the trauma a lot of the children have suffered after seeing so much violence, the ministry gave out biblical coloring books and promised a piece of chocolate as a prize to any child who would finish reading a book. The children were said to have responded enthusiastically.