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FINDING
REFUGE IN ITALY
How
precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge
in the shadow of your wings. -- Psalm
36:7
For
centuries people left Italy to find a better future. About 20
years ago the tide turned; immigrants began flooding into Italy
seeking a better life for themselves and their families. They come
from Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia fleeing poverty, war, and
oppression. Their lives are hard and filled with insecurity. They
receive the least-desirable jobs, often live under difficult
circumstances, and do not enjoy the full benefits of Italian
society. They live as third-world workers in a first-world
economy. Many of these immigrants are women and children who were
trafficked into the country to work in the sex industry.
Italian Baptists are participating in the biblical tradition of
welcoming and caring for the strangers among them. The Scripture
tells us:
For
the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God,
mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, 18 who
executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the
strangers, providing them food and clothing. 19 You shall also
love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt
[Deut. 10:17-19].
The
writer of Hebrews tells us: “Do not neglect to show hospitality
to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels
without knowing it [Hebrews 13:2]. Italian Baptists feel called by
God to provide refuge for the strangers among them.
Italian Baptists have invited Debbie and Jim Kelsey to work with
them in this ministry of providing refuge. The Kelseys will
provide theological education for the pastors of immigrant
churches and work with these churches to strengthen their
fellowships and broaden their ministries. The Kelseys will work
with Italian Baptists to expand their ministries to the many women
and children who are trafficked into Italy to work in the sex
industry. The Kelseys will work to welcome these new arrivals to
Italy and make tangible to them the love and mercy of Jesus
Christ. Their mission is to provide places of refuge in the shadow
of the Lord’s wings.
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