Pathways Press.com

Written by Walter Lam, head of the Alliance for African Assistance, a mission supported by the Village Church.

I fled persecution from Uganda, went to Kenya and Italy, and finally arrived in San Diego in 1986. This was the most difficult decision for me; not knowing where I was going and leaving my family behind. Everywhere I went during this challenging time, God had His children welcome me. In San Diego, the La Jolla Presbyterian Church welcomed and resettled me. I praise God for making it possible for my family to join me in San Diego after two years. Two years without them was the most difficult part of my life ever. We started Alliance for African Assistance (AAA) in 1989 to resettle refugees with $7,000 seed money from the Presbytery of San Diego’s Self-Development of People Fund. Since then, AAA has resettled 18,757 refugees from more than 50 countries. Additionally, since the inception, AAA has provided various social and medical services to about 216,000 people. The number of Afghan refugees who had helped our Forces before the fall of Kabul and were resettled by AAA comes to 1336, the largest total number resettled in the State of California. Major support from The Village Community Presbyterian Church and most Presbyterian Churches in San Diego, made it possible for AAA to successfully resettle the large number of Afghans within six months. Today the largest population we serve are Ukrainians mostly women and children fleeing from the war in their country. So far, we have provided services to 600 Ukrainians. I believe that God made my family and I go through the refugee resettlement process in order to prepare me to serve His children fleeing persecution and coming to San Diego.

Prayer:

Written by Rebecca Barlow Jordan, a contemporary Christian author.

I long for your presence, Lord. Narrow my thoughts to include only those things that are honorable, truthful, beautiful, pure, and praiseworthy. I ask for your wisdom to apply these truths to my life morning, noon, and night—literally all through the day. For you are worthy to be praised all the time.