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Sep 01

The Abahiriwe Group Ministers to Refugees

by Jean Wyclif-Ndayisaba

Jean Ndayisaba, leader of the Abahiriwe Refugee group, serves more than 125 Seventh-day Adventist refugees from Rwanda and Congo each Sabbath at the Stone Mountain, Georgia, Church.

R. Steven Norman III

Anita Kabarenzi, wife of Jean Ndayisaba, leads a song during the Abahiriwe refugee church service.

R. Steven Norman III

These men and women are some of the many Adventist members who have come to America from Rwanda and the Congo, and now they worship and attend ECL classes at the Stone Mountain, Georgia, Church.

R. Steven Norman III

While in Goma Refugee Camp, former Zaire, “Nicholas,” one of ADRA’s volunteers, told me words of wisdom and prophetic challenges about living in the USA. She said, “If you had a chance to reside in the United States, there are three important tools that you would need in order to be successful: be able to speak English, have good computer skills, and be able to drive a car. Imagine you are not qualified in any of the above, but living in this country. You are a refugee in need of multidimensional kind of help.”

Our community represents three African countries: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda. We share the same language of Kinyarwanda. Refugees arrive in the country traumatized by wars and ethnic conflicts in their respective countries. Unable to read nor write, they have lost their cultural and traditional identity, and become change resistant. The best tools to give them are English as a second language (ESL); cultural integration; translating for them; and even helping them apply for Medicare, food stamps, and medical emergency.

Our mission seeks to help refugees through our program, along with refugee agencies in charge of their integration, including International Rescue Committee, New American Pathways, Catholic Charity, and World Relief. “Christ in me” ministry is a practical way to witness for Christ. Christ’s method is applied in our daily lives and with those we meet. It is a successful tool in reaching people. The Savior mingled with men as one who desired their good (opening networks). He showed His sympathy for them (forming attachments), ministered to their needs (meeting needs), and won their confidence. Then He bade them, “Follow Me” (to become disciples), The Ministry of Healing, p. 143. Ministry to migrants and refugees is an opportunity for the Church to show God’s love by demonstrating Christ’s method to beloved, vulnerable human beings.

The key word of the ministry is “love,” as we expand God’s Kingdom relationally. We demonstrate a personal evangelistic role — with the goal of instructing individuals in Bible doctrines and leading them into a commitment to follow Jesus through baptism — by visiting members and non-members, conducting wedding preps and counseling and baby dedications, being part of community learning and connection, making sure the divine service is organized and done in total surrender and worship to God, and by coaching and being the role models to both young and adults.

Many refugees are Seventh-day Adventists, and we strive to locate them. We are informed by their family members or relatives worshipping with us. We visit them in their homes, listen to their story with empathy, give them assurance that we are here for them. We receive their transfer letters from their churches in Africa, we accept them by profession of faith. We encourage and help them enroll their children in public or Adventist schools; we organize activities that will help them socialize with other community members, like fellowship meals, prayer meetings and small groups, Pathfinders, ESL classes, spiritual revival, song ministry, and community garden. Schools, day care, and community service centers are needed in order to satisfy our migrants’ and refugees’ needs. This will help us reach even the least for Christ’s sake.

Though we are limited financially, the Stone Mountain, Georgia, Church supports us by giving needed leadership, training, worship accommodation, and funds that allow us to keep growing and serving.


Jean Wyclif-Ndayisaba is the leader of the Abahiriwe refugee group.

Southern Union | September 2019

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