This week at CBFBlog we are celebrating World Refugee Day (June 20) with a series of posts from Cooperative Baptist Fellowship field personnel from around the world who work and minister with refugees. If you have not already, check out Part 1 and Part 2 of this series.

Today’s post is by Nell Green. Nell and her husband Butch were commissioned as CBF field personnel in 1994. After a long-term ministry among Muslims in Senegal and Belgium, the Greens have returned to the United States to continue a strategic ministry to help teaching North American churches how to care for Muslim immigrants in their own communities. From their home base in Houston, the Greens develop relationships with churches in Texas and surrounding states. Read more about Nell and Butch Green here.

By Nell Green

I met Hary the first time years ago in Brussels. Hary was a refugee from Syria. He was attending the Arab Evangelical Church.

Hary struck us immediately as a man of peace. There are always things going on in a church and Hary was a very effective negotiator and peacemaker.  This wasn’t always the case.

Before becoming a follower of Jesus, Hary was known to have a bit of a temper. At the time we knew him, Hary worked odd jobs, cared for his aging father and also cared for numerous members of the congregation. And Hary shared Jesus with anyone who would give him an opportunity.

In all my years as a missionary, I have never met anyone more effective.

Was it his friendliness? His incredible gift of hospitality? His obvious love for neighbor? His ability to overcome hurdles of language, culture, oppression, legal obstacles and even threatened deportation?

It was pure joy to watch and learn from this young man.

Many members of Hary’s family are still in Syria. He went back for a visit a couple of years ago and wept at the devastation. When I hear news about Syria, I do not see an insurmountable humanitarian need.  I see Hary.

I imagine his sister and nieces and nephews. I imagine names, life situations, brides, babies, parents holding their children…real people with real needs.

I wonder how many of them we will welcome here and will the welcome be warm?

I do not want to miss the chance of meeting another Hary.

Hary and Janee

One day a colleague, Janee Angel, called. She had ministered with us in Brussels. After we left, Janee and Hary began a relationship. She was calling to say they were engaged.

I told Janee that if my own daughter had told me that she had chosen Hary, I couldn’t be happier. Now this amazing couple has started a new ministry among Arabic speakers in Antwerp, Belgium. They are being the presence of Christ through hospitality, church leadership, mentoring and faith sharing.

All of this because Hary was willing to brave uncertainty and travel the refugee highway.

My experience was not unique. Many people have met those that inspire as they travel the refugee highway. You can too.

1. Participate in World Refugee Day (June 20)
2. Help your local resettlement agency by volunteering or by helping a family settle.
3. Teach English to those who are newly arriving.
4. Set up a place to help fill out incomprehensible forms or to help with job searches.
5. Take a team to Belgium and minister alongside Janee and Hary. Or take a team to work alongside any of your field personnel who engage with refugees. There are quite a few of us!
6. Let us take a team from your church and travel the refugee highway. See and learn firsthand what the journey entails.
7. Use the prayer booklet, “Welcoming the Stranger: 30 days of Prayer for Internationals” to understand more about those coming to us from places of unrest and need.

If you are interested in talking with someone about putting together a team, please contact Nell Green at nell@cbfinternationals.org.

Nell Green (right)