The African Diaspora
Population: It is estimated that nearly 19 million Africans live off the continent of Africa. These men, women, and children are the African Diaspora, some of whom are probably your near neighbors. About 3 Million African Diaspora live in North America, 5 million in Asia, and another 11 million live in Europe.
Location and Background: The African Diaspora live around the globe, and their histories and reasons for leaving the continent are diverse. Some are refugees, asylum seekers, economic migrants, students and professionals, undocumented immigrants, and tragically, others are victims of human trafficking.
History, Culture, and Religion: Because the African Diaspora come from Africa’s 54 individual countries as well as many of the continent’s outlying islands, each group’s history, culture and religion varies widely.
A Unique Opportunity: Many of the African Diaspora come from nations that are closed to missionary outreach, so their presence in places like Europe, Australia, and the Americas presents a unique opportunity to share the Good News with men and women who may have never heard it in their homelands, and who may one day to return their nation of origin transformed by Christ and eager to share their new hope with their friends and family.
Worldview shifting
African Diaspora: This past weekend, two women from our team had several deep conversations with “Lydia” who has been part of our wider community for a number of years and joined our “Petit Group” (small group of Christian and Muslim women who read the Bible and discuss it) about two years ago. Recently, she has faced a serious illness that has often left her bedridden. During visits with her, our teammates read Scripture and prayed. She later shared that she experienced a remarkable sense of peace and has felt significantly better since. As conversations continued, she reflected, “This illness has helped me understand God more deeply. I no longer see suffering the way I once did. I believe I can pour out my heart to Him. I wonder if my worldview is beginning to change.” Please pray for “Lydia” as she continues seeking God and wrestling with questions of faith. Pray that the truth she is encountering would take deep root and bear lasting fruit, and that the Lord would continue to reveal Himself to her. Also pray for healing, strength, and protection from any spiritual opposition that would seek to hinder her journey.
Hiking and Hope
African Diaspora: Praise the Lord for the “petit groupe” who recently took a trip together and had fun hiking and canoeing. The Lord opened up wonderful opportunities for these four believing ladies to share again the hope they have in Jesus with their five North African friends. And of course, they enjoyed Tajine, Couscous and mint tea! The five ladies have been studying the scriptures now for almost three years—some have even come to church. Please pray for spiritual breakthroughs—that this Jesus they read about in the gospels is not just a wonderful prophet, but that they would recognize him as their savior.
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“Whether they are economic migrants, international students, undocumented immigrants, refugees or asylum seekers, one fact remains the same – They are the new neighbors our churches are called to love.”
