The IAFR Blog

Measuring Crisis - Mapping Response

"It was the day after the earthquake in our region," the pastor told us.

I was talking with local church leaders about how to help those displaced by the disaster, and I pulled out IAFR's Continuum of Response and asked if I could share it with them. It saved them a lot of pain and confusion as they responded to the crisis.

Unneeded Tents

"Several other groups brought in tents in an effort to help, but the tents weren't suitable for the local needs or the environment. Most people who had lost their homes moved in with other people in the area. The Continuum of Response helped them to slow down and evaluate what was helpful and necessary in their particular crisis context. It helped them to direct resources to maximize the benefits of the people being served. I share the Continuum with many churches and pastors serving displaced people around the Mediterranean. It's been such an important tool."

Prepared to Evacuate

"We've found it to be similarly useful in holistic decision-making," SJ, my colleague from France, agreed. She and I were teaching a workshop on IAFR's Continuum of Response at the Refugee Highway Partnership Roundtable.

"I was serving with Jonathan House in the Twin Cities during the crisis that followed George Floyd's murder in 2020. Our team had to decide whether to evacuate Jonathan House as the unrest neared our neighborhood. The Continuum of Response helped us realize that we needed to both ensure residents' security (red line) and consider their agency and emotional well-being (green line) in our response.

If we simply said, 'Things are not safe here; we need to leave,' that could retraumatize our forcibly displaced friends. We gathered everyone and explained what was happening in our cities, then asked whether or not people felt safe. We were prepared to evacuate if needed, but when we slowed down to listen, it was humbling to hear that because of both the physical shelter and the relationships of trust, people felt safest at Jonathan House." SJ shared.

When the War Started

"I wish we'd had access to this information two years ago," a Polish church leader involved in the Ukrainian crisis commented. "People were calling us and offering help when the war started, but we didn't feel like we knew what we were doing. We've just struggled through. But this tool helps make so much sense of how the crisis has unfolded and what response should look like in varying phases."

After the workshop, another colleague, Ilir, talked with the Polish man for several hours, offering support and encouragement as they explored the challenges of responding to a prolonged displacement crisis. I went away from our workshop encouraged and reminded that the training we provide helps make a difference for those serving on the front lines of displacement crises around the world.

CLICK HERE to learn more about IAFR training!

"And then I had a dream. It was a dream about Jesus..."

We sit around the table late in the evening. The small kitchen is cold despite the propane heater laboring in the corner. Our coffee and tea sit half-forgotten as we listen intently to the incredible stories of this family from Syria.

Following Jesus to Lebanon

My Swiss ministry partners invited the man and his daughter over after feeding me dinner. I'm here in Jordan, working with them to expand the curriculum for a supplemental education program for Syrian refugee children.

As I listen, the man's seventeen-year-old daughter, Reya* sits beside me. She rests her hands on my arm and smiles shyly. Dressed in a hijab layered with a hoodie to try and keep warm, she seems uncertain what her place is in her father's vibrant stories.

"My brother is following Jesus, too. He dreamed that God wanted him to serve the Syrians in Lebanon. So he went there to obey."

Besides an occasional comment, Reya is quiet. She rests her head on the table as if weary.

Reya's Gift

Seeing it is late, my Swiss friend suggests we pray together. As we finish, Reya looks at me, her large dark eyes pensive, "I am so sad that I didn't know that I was going to meet you today, Whitney, because every time I meet someone that I love, I want to give them a gift. And I don't have a gift for you. And while we were praying, I asked Jesus to give me a gift for you."

I can feel my eyes tearing up. This young woman's generous spirit is so pure and sweet.

She continues shyly, "So I asked Jesus for a gift for you, and he gave me a picture of you with your face shining... I see Jesus in the faces of all of us around the table, but I see and hear Jesus in your voice."

His Spirit is speaking...

The tears overflow and slip down my cheeks as I smile at this young woman, in awe of how God has just spoken to her. She doesn't know that God often gives me opportunities to bring music into spaces as a form of ministry to others. And tonight, I have not sung and have hardly spoken, primarily listening. It feels like an obvious word for me in answer to Reya's prayer for a gift to give.

"Reya, you have such a tender heart toward Jesus. It's obvious that His Spirit is speaking to you." I tell her.

"I tell her that all the time," her father nods his approval.

This holy moment in the kitchen is why I have come.

Reya is struggling through trauma and depression, trying to find her way in a foreign place with her family, who has suffered so deeply. And yet here she is ministering to me with encouraging words, and I am humbled and deeply honored by the heartfelt love I receive.

When I tell her her words are true, Reya smiles, and I know at that moment that even more than all the educational work I've done on this trip, this holy moment in the kitchen with Reya is why I have come. We have seen Jesus reflected in each other and are both strengthened and encouraged by this love.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Whitney's work as IAFR Refugee Education Specialist!