Tal, whose name has been changed for security, was just 18 years old when he arrived in Greece as a Syrian refugee. He was alone and desperate to reunite with his mother and sister, who had already relocated to Denmark. To join them, however, he needed to apply for asylum, obtain an ID, and get a passport. But he knew next to no one, he did not speak the language, and he did not understand the legal system.

Tal was also nearly blind.

The Odds Were Against Him

Through word of mouth, Tal learned of a ministry that assisted refugees. But how could a teen who could barely see make his way to an unfamiliar place?

He put the ministry’s address into his GPS and followed the phonetic directions. But when at last he reached the building, he could not find an entrance. He stood outside, frustrated that he could not see well enough to locate a door.

“A ministry worker saw Tal there, looking lost and uncertain. ‘Do you speak Arabic?’ the man asked Tal. ‘Yes,’ said Tal as hope leaped to life inside him.”

At last, a ministry worker saw Tal there, looking lost and uncertain. “Do you speak Arabic?” the man asked Tal. “Yes,” said Tal, as the question spoken in his native language lifted his spirits for the first time in a long while.

“Soon enough we discovered that he needed us to help him with everything!” the ministry leader said. But this was not a daunting task, as the workers were experienced at assisting refugees.

Not only did Tal receive help applying for asylum, but the ministry also transported him to and from his medical appointments, provided him with food, and took him to the refugee camp where he would file his official asylum application and receive accommodation.

“A gospel seed was planted.”

Over the next several weeks, Tal and the ministry worker who first saw him standing outside the center became friends. As the man helped ensure that Tal’s needs were met, he also shared the love of Jesus with him, and a gospel seed was planted.

Saying Goodbye

In less than two months, Tal’s application for asylum was approved. “This was great news and a great intervention by the Lord, as anyone who knows how long the legal processes for asylum take in Greece, they would immediately exclaim, ‘Miracle!’” the ministry leader said.

Tal’s mother sent him money for a ticket to Denmark, and his new friend at the ministry helped him purchase it. The ministry also arranged for someone to accompany Tal on his trip because of his eyesight. “It would be impossible for him to reach his destination alone,” the ministry leader said.

“We thank the Lord that He is using us to reach into people’s lives and bring changes in the natural but also in the spiritual!”

At the airport, Tal connected with his escort before he said goodbye to the ministry worker. “Then, he went on his way,” the ministry leader said. “We thank the Lord that He is using us to reach into people’s lives and bring changes!”

Refugees Have Hope for a Better Life

Once in Denmark, Tal sent pictures to the ministry of his reunion with his family. What once seemed like an impossible dream became a reality because of one ministry’s dedication to help refugees transition into a better life than the one they escaped.

“We depend on God and His presence.”

Work such as this is made possible because of your generosity. Not only do ministries such as this assist some of the world’s most vulnerable people, but they also share the love of Christ. “We depend on God and His presence,” the ministry leader said. “Without a doubt, we have been in awe of the Lord’s provision throughout the years.”

Pray with this ministry today as they seek to serve the Lord through their service to refugees. And please consider a donation to help those who hope for a better life.