From Being a Refugee to Helping Refugees

World Partners Affiliate Nana Couffie works with refugee families in Austria. He knows where the refugee families live and the families know where Nana and his family live. They have become family amongst each other. Nana is demonstrating the love of Christ through both his words and his actions, which has resulted in a stronger relationship. Nana’s daily prayer is that the refugees will come to know God.However, the work is becoming harder as animosity toward the refugees in Austria grows. Nana states, “Syrian refugee families are living in fear, worry, and anxiety because they do not know what will happen to them. The innocent refugees are suffering for the wicked and ruthless terrorists since they have all been put into one basket and labeled.”Nonetheless, Nana knows that he cannot neglect the refugees suffering in his country, so he continues to serve them and wants them to have a better future. Nana wants to be the light of Christ in their lives.Nana’s heart to serve the refugees developed because he once was one. Nana fled his home in the Ivory Coast due to political persecution. He knows what it is like to have to leave your home and possessions in order to stay alive. It would be easier for Nana to ignore the refugees. It would be easier to not be reminded of the pain and suffering he experienced as a refugee. Instead, Nana deals daily with these reminders because he believes in a greater purpose of showing the love of Christ to those in need.Nana states, “See beyond yourself and your needs and open your eyes to see the needs of others in the world around you as well. Intentionally search for where and how you might serve others and ease their burdens. Allow love and compassion to permeate and pervade your heart, your soul, and your mind, and then move into action to make a difference in the lives of others, no matter who they are or where they come from. Enriching the lives of others enriches your own life as well.”