24/04/2023
Its 19 years since our first missions trip to Belarus and each and every year I was always astounded at what God could accomplish through people who were willing to give up their time money effort and energy to serve others who were in a less fortunate position than themselves.
Due to Covid in 2020 first and now the war in Ukraine the door to serve in Belarus closed on us and we looked at where we could maybe serve in another area of the world.
Through Kevin and Michelle Shaw of Encourage International a door to serve in Paphos opened for us; to work alongside a small local church who are serving their community and asylum seekers and refugees in their area in the best way they can.
So a team of 14 individuals aged from 13 to 63 travelled from Dublin last week to do whatever we could to try make life a tiny bit better for whoever we encountered along the way. It was a very different experience to any of our trips to Belarus in the past, our accommodation was great, our food was as good as home, our work schedule not nearly as punishing as it would have been in Belarus:
But our encounters with people were as life changing as they could possibly be, we met people who have escaped the horror of war, who are trapped in a virtual no mans land, unable to go home for fear of their lives and unable to go forward due to political forces way outside of their control. I wish I could show you photos of some of these amazing people but that could potentially put their lives in danger, how crazy is that? Imagine living life in a world where a photo on Facebook could endanger your life.
In Ireland we live in a world with so much freedom and resources that we take for granted every day and there are hundreds of thousands of people living in fear of their lives, having to flee from their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs to try find a place to build a new life.
Last week in Paphos was a beautiful and yet profoundly sad experience, I met amazing people, creative, intelligent, courageous people, who have more to offer this world than I will ever have but may never get the chance due to war, and the greed and fear of others.
Yet again I was reminded of how privileged and blessed a life I get to live here in Ireland.
Thank you if you helped sponsor one of our team, thank you if you prayed for us, thank you for your ongoing support of Pashli over the years, may we continue to ‘Go and make a difference’ wherever and whenever we can in the years to come.
God bless Brian
