"When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the Lord you God."
Leviticus 19:33,34
What is IFT?
International Friendship Team (IFT) is a group of volunteers from LCC that ministers to refugees that have been placed in the Albany area. The team desires to minister and care to the total person: spiritual, emotional and physical. Because of the refugees’ situation, the physical needs often must be met first. This is done through providing food, furniture, transportation, driving lessons, employment, English classes and help in whatever ways they need the assistance of the Body of Christ. The team also provides for them emotionally and socially by providing friendship, community and prayer. Most importantly, our contact with these families gives us an opportunity to introduce them to Jesus Christ.
Why Are They Here?
The Bhutanese refugees here in the Capital District were initially citizens of the small country of Bhutan in Central Asia. In the late 1980’s the Buddhist King of Bhutan decided on a mono-ethnic, mono-cultural and mono-lingual society for his country, and the ethnic Nepalese rebelled. Following a period of upheaval, the United National eventually established seven refugee camps for the 110,000 Bhutanese refugees in Nepal, where they have lived since 1990.
Who Leads this Ministry?
There are now nearly 200 Bhutanese and 28 Burmese refugees that LCCers are helping in a wide variety of ways. Drs. Tom and Cynthia Hale have taken leadership in this ministry. The Hales had previously served as medical missionaries in Nepal for 25 years, and were excited to hear that the US government had welcome 60,000 of these Bhutanese refugees for resettlement. This ministry is led by the Hale’s and Ruth Askey a long with a very large team of volunteers from the church and the area and the support of the LCC Missions Board.
How Can I Get Involved?
Our role as volunteers is to supplement the official work of the refugee agencies in Albany. You are welcome to join us as we seek to meet these precious people’s immediate needs in Jesus’ name. This is done through a HUGE variety of venues:
· Providing transportation
· Helping them to learn how to pay their bills
· Establishing a telephone connection
· Getting medical appointments
· Donating furniture, household items, clothing and more.
· Sponsoring special outings and in-house social events.
· Helping them search for employment
· Teaching English
· And so much more!
We are looking for people willing to do life alongside some of these families, in whatever capacity you feel called. Please contact Cynthia Hale or Ruth Askey for more information.
