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Ministry to Migrants
Larnaca, Cyprus
With many people flocking to Cyprus from surrounding nations, ministry opportunities are opening up for Grace Church in Larnaca, Cyprus. Colin Hill tells us more.
 Although there have always been a lot of different nationalities represented on the island, Cyprus is rapidly becoming an island to which many people from surrounding nations are coming, especially as a result of the recent social unrest in Middle Eastern and North African countries.
Dick and Helen Dendle started teaching English lessons to asylum seekers, refugees, migrant workers and others. They began to form relationships with many of them. To build on this, Grace Church now opens its doors weekly in a venture called ‘Cafe Grace’, which began with the aim of raising money to support the HIV / Aids clinic in the town, but has now also grown to become a community centre for the refugees and asylum seekers. As well as serving refreshments, we also have tables full of donated items, such as clothing and household equipment, which people can either take freely although they are encouraged to make a donation if possible.
 Dena Constantinou who heads this initiative writes:
On Wednesday mornings the Lord brings through our doors peoples from Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Afghanistan, Cameroon and South Africa. Many Arabic Middle Eastern nations with various belief systems congregate together. We receive Sunni Muslims, Shi’i Muslims and Christians. Some have mixed marriages – Christian with Muslim, some single – some having lost their wives or husbands or even their children.
They all come together under one roof sharing tea, coffee, cake, and soup. They greet each other and us with love and respect for their similarities and their differences. They share their lives and their experiences and keep coming because they find a place here where they are accepted with love and feel safe and able to be alongside others without judgment or indoctrination – just love. God’s Word is being read, listened to and Bibles are taken home. We are invited into their homes to share their food and their lives.
Not once have I had to introduce myself and tell people I am a Christian and you must hear this because it is the truth - the Lord works through us by example. We love first (not just in words) and then they ask why?
Why do we love them?
What makes us different from what they have heard about Christians?
Why are you caring for us?
Why do you want to feed us and give us things we need?
Why does this building open its doors for us?
Why do you offer to come and help show me how to work the microwave at home?
What have you got that we are drawn to?
I am Muslim but will you pray for my wife who is ill?
The most wonderful question I have been asked is ‘Why do you not ask money for these books, the Injil (New Testament) as they are sacred religious books and yet you ask a donation for the teas and table top items?’ My answer always is that our Father’s love, our Father’s Word is free. Free for all to know. It is priceless. It is yours for the asking.
We urgently need Arabic speakers and others who share Newfrontiers vision and values to come and ‘build with us’ here. Please pray and also respond to this call for help! For more details please contact office@gracechurch-cyprus.org.
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Terry Virgo's website
Visit Terry's website for weekly bible studies, talks to download and to read his blog.
www.terryvirgo.org
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