Operation Sophia leak underscores needs

By February 18, 2016
Screenshot_FCBH refugees video

Middle East (MNN) — The wordis out on Operation Sophia, courtesy of WikiLeaks. According to a document leaked by the site, European leaders are planning to use the operation for more than just stopping traffickers.

Twitter_Operation Sophia graphic via WikiLeaks

(Graphic obtained via Twitter)

A key part of the plan, writes Operation Sophia commander Rear Admiral Enrico Credendino in the leaked report, is building the “capacity and capability” of Libya’s naval forces.

“In order to move into the following phases, we need to have a government of national accord with which to engage…. An effective Navy and Coastguard will be able to protect its own borders, therefore preventing illegal migration from Libya’s shores.”

Operation Sophia vs. refugee onslaught

Europe is desperately seeking a way to stop refugees from crossing its shores. Operation Sophia is intended to be one key deterrent, though not the only effort.

Officials wrote in a July 2015 EU Institute for Security Studies report:

“Just like all other CSDP operations, EUNAVFOR Med (Operation Sophia) needs to be seen as one element of a broader multidimensional response, as one component of the Comprehensive Approach towards both the refugee crisis and restoring stability in Libya.”

Screenshot_FCBH refugees video

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Approximately 1.5 million refugees crossed into Europe during 2015, making this crisis the worst Europe has seen since World War II.

As Europe tries to stem the refugee onslaught, Faith Comes by Hearing is bringing a new source of hope to refugees who remain in the war-torn Middle East.

“It’s so completely different from anything that they have heard about, or understood: Jesus and Who He is,” shares an FCBH worker involved in refugee outreach.

“It’s the first time they have an understanding that He’s not a dead prophet [and] that He’s the living God.”

Introducing refugees to Jesus

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FCBH is helping local believers “infiltrate” Middle East refugee camps with God’s Word in audio, the FCBH worker explains. As refugees hear the New Testament in their heart language, God’s Word unveils remarkable Truths.

As Muslim refugees listen to Scripture, “This is the first time they’d ever had anything even close to what Christ actually said,” shares the worker.

“The interpretation [teaching] they always receive is that Christ was a prophet, and there are things He said and did; but [those teachings] have…very little similarity to what Scripture actually says.”

Therefore, the teachings of Christ and His life events recorded in the Gospels come as a surprise to many. This “new” information leads many refugees to ask questions, and FCBH partners are quick to provide biblical answers. “It requires, really, constant follow-up,” the FCBH worker shares.

The Lord is leading many to join His family as Christ-followers, and the need for BibleSticks is growing nearly as quickly as the refugee tally.

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(Screenshot)

“For the partners that we…provide material to, we’re in the thousands; we could easily provide them in the tens of thousands, were the funding available,” says the worker.

God is bringing comfort and hope to refugees through His Word. By clicking here, you can help them find lasting peace in the midst of difficult circumstances.

One Comment

  • Aquavo Serum says:

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    I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this information together.

    I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and
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