Serving in Sicily

Catania, Palermo, and Pozzallo, Italy:  “Let me tell you a story….”

   A***, a young Somali man, was sent by his family to find hope and a new life, and an income in Europe, due to the war and violence continuing in their land. They pooled their monies together to pay traffickers to get him through many African countries and to Libya and then out to sea, in hopes of rescue and asylum in Sicily. Please recall Somali war Lords have killed 100’s of thousands and it continues to be a violent land (Remember “Blackhawk Down” movie?). He travelled secretly for 2 weeks through other countries, finally through dangerous and war-torn Libya (no central government, three tribal Lords vying for power, and ISIS still active) only to be loaded with 300 others on a boat made for 50: no water, no food, very few life preservers. The traffickers took them out to international waters in the Mediterranean, shot a flare, and left them adrift! Ahmed’s hope, as his families’ was they would be found by the Italian Navy or Coast Guard before drowning (as have THOUSANDS who made this voyage ahead of him). Fortunately the Italian Coast Guard found them two days later and brought him to Catania, a metro area of 774,000 people on the coast of Sicily, one of the States of Italy.

   

     Why did I go?

   God had burdened my heart for the plight of people in such trouble, the refugees we hear about in the news. 65M people (for perspective, WW2 displaced 60M), twice the population of Canada has fled their homes because of terrorism, racism, hatred and war! In Syria, the ancient city of Aleppo alone has lost nearly 1M residents and is divided by war: imagine an empty Fresno and Clovis! Central Africa has been at war in Somalia and Sudan and elsewhere for years, and terrorist groups like Al Shabab and Boka Haram are still at large, killing and forcing out millions (remember the kidnapping of 100 school girls last year: Boka Haram). And in their flight families have drowned at sea, and lost loved ones traversing war torn Libya, leaving all behind in fear and throwing their lives to the fates or God. And each one bears God’s image, being made in His likeness: we must care!

   Sicily has become the “New Lesbos” (where thousands a week used to go, Greece not taking them anymore), and 5-6 thousand a week now flee to Sicily. We learned the government moves them to different cities, and we hit the streets in Catania, Pozzallo, Palermo (Catania is at base of Mt Etna, the active volcano). 

   Once rescued from sea, the immigrants (Refugee is an official EU term once they are granted asylum) are fingerprinted and start their applications for Asylum, which can take up to two years! They are fed twice a day and can sleep in government buildings, but this is a temporary situation. The do not have ID nor are allowed to work until they are granted asylum (they are illegal immigrants), though they are free to go into the cities and towns, even travel if they find some money as no one is preventing them from boarding the trains. But after a time they are totally dependent on charities, primarily Catholic charities in Catholic Italy, for their food and shelter (learning this was one of our goals, which God providentially provided through some Somali Muslims who were just plain helpful!). Some had no shelter, such as S*** from Eritrea, in Catania, who depended on charity for his meals. A Catholic mission in Palermo, the Mission of Hope and Charity, would feed and house them if they would also engage in work, such as farming or some construction work the charity needed. But many were in the streets, looking for any work, selling in the markets, or just accepting handouts (although I saw none “working” the street corners as you might see in a US city).

   God showed His hand at work in several ways during this trip: first, through your generosity, providing all the funds I needed, which were more than I thought: $3000 vs $2100 (And I’m unemployed nearly a year now)! I was amazed that God has assembled just the right team for this trip: we were the second group to dive into the cities of Sicily for Frontiers/Praying Pelican Missions, with a great mix of experience and seasoned veterans; and also French and Arabic speakers. While most immigrants/refugees spoke some English, a few, from Benin or Mali could only speak French. We also met some just two days off the boat who were adrift eight days, and who only spoke Arabic.

Here is our team of 9 ordinary people from Fresno and Missouri soon to enjoy pizza!

   The Lord gave us a number of divine appointments with Muslims from Benin, Eritrea, Ghana, Nigeria, and Somali who want to further explore the claims of Jesus through Bible studies (with in-country family from Praying Pelican Missions). The Lord also revealed those already called amongst the refugees: Christians from Eritrea, Ghana, Nigeria, and Somalia, already on the path to find a new purpose to share the mercy, love and Hope of Jesus with their countrymen (the overall goal of this mission).

   Our team met refugees from 22 countries fleeing to Sicily. Some key immigrants, people we met were: A*** and M*** (Somalian Muslims), who started Bible study! S* (Eritrean Christian) also starting Bible study. A man from Ghana generously showed us to the Catholic Church in Palermo, Saint Chiarra, and introduced us to Father Enzo. Father Enzo gave us a tour of the nursery (with a Nigerian boy there one day), day care and school for the poor and needy (and many immigrants/refugees). Samuel in Pozzallo: Eritrean/Italian, works for the government to meet refugees! We were praying how to meet someone on the “inside” of the government activities. W*** from Egypt, engrossed in the Injeel we gave him. The Injeel is the Arabic New Testament. Our ladies were invited to an Internet café and meeting place/social center in Palermo where many immigrants & refugees met. Generous Somali men who led one of our groups to the Mission of Hope and Charity in Palermo, and facilitated a visit and introductions!

These boys were at sea eight days in an overcrowded boat! The oldest: 17

 

Confiscated trafficker boats, deflated zodiac in front. 

Catholic charities (Church of Saint Chiarra). Bruce Schagunn of Fresno, Father Enzo & yours truly.

   We met John in Palermo. He was helped by Catholic charities (Italy predominantly Catholic). There is still LOTS of room at the table for ministries to come and help provide food, comfort, and hope.

     God is clearly at work, not just through my very short visit, and agencies describe many turning to the Hope and love of Jesus! I was very pleased to join this work which “clicked” with me (and I desire more). Thanks for your investment in God’s work, and please feel free to call or email with questions.

by Paul Marr

Posted by

Terry Jaurena

August 16, 2016