Afghanistan
Free medical care for the poor
Danish European Mission donors support free medical care for poor families. Afghanistan's economy, which has been poor for many years due to war and conflict, has been in free fall since the Taliban took power. The country's economic collapse has caused many difficulties for the population, and most families experience hunger and health problems due to poor living conditions. Free medical care for poor families is therefore crucial for the health of many families. Our partner reports that many in the community consider the free medical care to be God's grace.
Free medical care includes treatment for ear, nose and throat diseases, dental problems, eye diseases, malaria, diabetes, burns, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, obstetrics and gynecological examinations. Vaccines against tuberculosis, hepatitis, polio, tetanus, measles, pneumococcus, rotavirus and COVID-19 are offered. Our partner also organizes weekly seminars for women on health and hygiene, including nutrition, family planning, cleaning and general disease prevention.
In 2022, Danish European Mission ensured that 14.710 men, women and children could get treatment.
Supporting Afghan refugees in neighboring countries: House church and soccer ministry
Afghanistan is perhaps the most dangerous country to be a Christian in. Many Christians have fled the country due to persecution. Yet the gospel is spreading among Afghans.
Since April, Danish European Mission donors have been supporting an Afghan couple living in a neighboring country to Afghanistan on a monthly basis. They had to flee their homeland after threats from the Taliban. The couple have started a house church for Afghan refugees and also organize a church over Zoom where Afghans from other countries can participate. The husband also runs a soccer ministry where three boys' and one girls' team play football. This allows him and his team to encourage Afghan children and youth and share their Christian faith.
Egypt
Al-Beshara: Media Mission
The follow-up team for Al-Beshara became part of the work of the Danish European Mission in 2022. The organization is behind a large media work in the Middle East, communicating God's love to Muslims through videos on Youtube and posts on Facebook. With the support of the Danish European Mission's donors, a local Christian employee has been paid monthly. He is employed to answer questions from people who want to hear more, with the aim of leading Muslims to Jesus and helping them find a local church.
Eritrea and Tigray
In collaboration with Helen Berhane, support has been provided in Tigray Province to torture victims, for example medicine, clothing, rent support and hospital treatment for injuries caused by torture, including eye, diabetes and kidney disease.
Food has also been distributed to the poor in Eritrea.
India
Help for self-help
In a village in a poor area of southern India, Danish European Mission donors are supporting local Christians to help themselves.
- The project includes sewing courses. In 2022 participated and completed 23 women took a sewing course and received an official certificate in sewing, which can be used to apply for jobs in the textile industry. In addition to education, the women have also received counseling and pastoral care, and become part of a community of women in similar situations.
- An untouchable couple has been hired to look after the project's cows and goats. Although the caste system has officially been abolished, the couple's status as untouchables has had major consequences and stigmatization. Through employment, the couple feel seen and accepted and can secure an income.
- The project manager has contact with 37 families who have raised goats are visited and encouraged through prayer, counseling and fellowship.
Iraq
The situation in Iraq is unstable. The political crisis caused by intra-sectarian strife, inflation due to Covid-19 regulations and the war in Ukraine, as well as Turkish and Iranian bombardments on Iraqi soil, mean that the country is facing political, economic and security challenges that have devastating consequences for individual Iranians.
Emergency aid
With the support of Danish European Mission donors, the local church reaches out to the poor and needy with emergency aid. During 2022, Danish European Mission donors ensured that:
- 9.262 Food packages were distributed to Iraqis in need.
- And that 951 people received emergency medical care or medication, hygiene kits consisting of cleaning products, soap, diapers and sanitary pads, and wipes and blankets.
Psychological help for former sex slaves
During the year we have 31 Yazidi women received intensive care and specialized treatment during a five-week intensive course, thanks to donations from the Danish European Mission. The women were deeply traumatized as a result of being abused as sex slaves by ISIS after ISIS invaded their cities and killed their husbands. Through the program, many of the women were able to regain their physical and mental strength, and regained hope and purpose in their lives.
Danish European Mission's donors also contributed to the fact that these women and 16 widows received an income generation course aimed at giving them the tools to earn an income.
Schooling
45 Christian children and youth received support for schooling and further education. The beneficiaries are discriminated against and internally displaced, and have been deprived of the opportunity to go to school. Thanks to the contribution of the Danish European Mission's donors, our partner has organized teachers and transport to Christian schools. This is an attempt to give the so-called "lost generation" their future back in Iraq.
Iran
The persecution of Christians and other dissidents in Iran continues. The protest movement against the Iranian regime, sparked in September 2022 after the death of Mahsa Amini, has increased repression in the country as the government seeks to maintain control. As a result, the number of arrests has generally increased, including of Christians. Nevertheless, many Christians remain determined to share the Gospel and the true hope of freedom in Christ amidst the unrest.
Support for Christian prisoners of conscience and their families
When Christians in Iran are arrested and can no longer contribute to supporting their families, the family is often left in a difficult financial situation. Even the prisoners themselves can be financially challenged, as in the Iranian prison system they are responsible for the cost of food, clothing and other basic necessities. The Danish European Mission's donors therefore support Christian prisoners of conscience and their families - to encourage them in the very difficult situation they find themselves in. Our partner says that the recipients are strengthened in faith when they receive help from the global church in the midst of persecution.
In 2022, Danish European Mission donors have helped 12 Iranian prisoners of conscience and their families to cover their expenses such as food, clothing, medical care, rent, water, electricity and heating.
Smuggling and distribution of New Testaments
Our partner reports that the economic and societal hardship experienced by Iranians has only strengthened Iranians' interest in the message of Jesus and the hope he offers. Many are experiencing a growing disillusionment with the Islamic regime, which has resulted in a spiritual openness to the Gospel. Distributing the New Testament is therefore an important task, especially at this time, and in Iran an effective way to reach out with the message, as Iranians culturally value the printed word and experience the love of Jesus in the encounter with the word.
In 2022, Danish European Mission ensured that 15.549 copies of the New Testament could be printed and smuggled into the country. The books are distributed by Christian Iranians who have a burning desire to share God's hope and love with their countrymen.
Secret projects
Advocacy for churches in Central Asia
In Central Asia, there are regular examples of Christians and churches being unjustly accused by the authorities. In 2022, donors to the Danish European Mission ensured that a church could get legal assistance when it was falsely accused. Because of the help, it was possible to get good and necessary legal assistance, and the church won the majority of the lawsuits brought against it.
Dental treatment for torture victims
A Christian in a prison in a closed country was subjected to severe torture that damaged his mouth. Danish European Mission donors ensured that the persecuted Christian could receive high-quality dental care in another country.
Hip surgery
The Danish European Mission's contact person in a closed country received funding for hip surgery at a hospital in another country where the quality was higher than in their home country.
In the same closed country, sick and poor Christians received help with treatment and buying medicine.
Future and hope for vulnerable women
In a country in Central Asia, Danish European Mission donors support women who have been exposed to violence, trafficking and prostitution. The project provides women with safety in a shelter, where they receive counseling, legal and medical assistance, and job training during their stay. The work is run by local Christian women. The vulnerable women are in a supportive environment where they can develop their creative and social skills. In addition, the women from the shelter and other vulnerable women in the area are given the opportunity to participate in job-oriented vocational courses. In this way, the aim is to show them a way out of the crisis through self-help, giving them hope and a good future.
In 2022, Danish European Mission's donors have contributed to:
- 30 women and 13 children have been able to stay at the shelter.
- 572 women have received job training in sewing, cooking, jewelry, embroidery and hairdressing. In 2022, the project opened two new job training centers, so job training now takes place in five different locations.
- 125 people have received psychological help.
- 69 Women have received legal assistance.
In addition to concrete help, the project also seeks to raise awareness of women's rights in a country where women are largely perceived as second-class citizens. With support from the Danish European Mission's donors, the project has in 2022
- Taught 571 public employees. For example, seminars were held for doctors on dealing with victims of sexual abuse and a seminar for teachers on the consequences of domestic violence.
- Organized seminars for vulnerable women on women's rights where 316 Women participated.
- Taught students on topics such as: Gender Based Violence, Human Rights, Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking. 2448 students participated.
The project also works closely with the authorities, and women are often referred to the project by the police.
Bags of Hope
In 2022, Danish European Mission donors ensured that 1.084 Bags of Hope (bags of food) could be distributed to poor families in a number of cities in a country in Central Asia. In total, 84 families and 7 single people were helped, amounting to at least 385 people. Danish European Mission's donors also supported that 20 Children from homes that have received Bags of Hope were able to attend summer camp.
In another country in Central Asia, at least 1.500 people Bags of Hope with support from donors of the Danish European Mission.
In the project, Christians distribute food to orphans and the very poorest families who are typically in a difficult financial situation due to the death of a parent, divorce or alcohol abuse in the home. Thanks to the aid, many families avoided hunger and many were able to deal with other challenges as a result of the aid, as they were able to buy medicine or other necessities with the money they would have spent on food.
Through the project, Christians come into contact with many people they might otherwise never have met and have the opportunity to not only share God's love but also show it. Several recipients become curious and want to hear more, and there are many examples of recipients now attending the local church after experiencing the church's care in a difficult situation.
Theological education for pastors in the Muslim world
Many pastors in young convert churches have little or no theological training. If leaders are not rooted in the Bible, young churches risk falling into theological bias or unhealthy practices. Therefore, there is a need for theological training for church leaders. In 2022, Danish European Mission donors supported 20 people could start a bachelor's degree in theology in a Central Asian country.
The program lasts 4.5 years. In addition, donors contributed to cover half of the salary for an administrator and interpreter at the training site.
Leaders are not sent to the West to study, as the risk is that they will be attracted by the economic prosperity and not return to their home country. Instead, they are taught in modules of six weeks of intensive study twice a year, as well as self-study, so leaders can stay in ministry and continually apply what they learn. Pastors are also trained in leadership, pastoral care, ethics, finances, and other topics so that the ministry can stand on a sound foundation.
Courses and pastoral care for inmates
In 2022, Danish Mission to Europe's donors have contributed to approx. 2000 Women, men and teenage prisoners have been able to attend seminars and receive psychological support during their time in prison in Central Asia. The seminars are run by local Christians, all of whom have taken courses in psychology or are trained psychologists. In total, there were held 340 seminar, which dealt with questions such as: What are you struggling with? Can you forgive? Often the seminars address family-related issues, as many of the inmates experience complicated family relationships.
Although the project team cannot legally share the gospel at the seminars, they are able to communicate the main principles of God's word in a veiled but effective way. The inmates are recognized as valuable despite the mistakes they have made, and this way of being greeted, along with the tools they receive through the teaching, gives many of the inmates new hope.
Five people received personal counseling after each seminar. In personal counseling with inmates, the team can talk about their faith if the inmates ask, and many ask for their prayers. After release, many want to meet again, and several former inmates have subsequently started attending church. Not only the inmates but also the staff are beneficiaries of the help. Approx. 200 Prison officers attended seminars in 2022.
Seminars for men
In a country in Central Asia, a men's Bible study seminar was held. Three Muslims attended and began to question their faith after spending time with Christians. All said they would come again next year.
Seminars for women
There was also a seminar for women. They were taught about the infinite love of God the Father, which is an important topic in a culture that is very male dominated. Non-Christian women were also invited, who during prayer felt better and the burdens they had been carrying were lifted.
Camp for young people
A local church in Central Asia has organized camps for young people. There were Bible lessons, but also sports and games. At the summer camp, eight young people decided to give their lives to Jesus.
Kids camp
In the summer, 40 children attended a children's camp in a country in Central Asia. Many had never been to a children's camp before and had the opportunity to meet children from other Christian families. There were many games and activities, but also Bible lessons.
Self-help for church planting
A pastor in a village has turned his home into a house church. To provide for him, Danish European Mission donors and improvers ensured that the family could have a pregnant cow. This enables the family to earn income through the sale of milk and breeding. The pastor's family says that people in their family are very interested in the gospel, but that fear of man keeps them from taking the step of accepting Jesus.
Church planting on the border with Afghanistan
Danish European Mission donors have supported an evangelization project in a neighboring country to Afghanistan. Here, local Christians are reaching out to unreached people groups with the good news of Jesus Christ. In 2022, work was done in 13 homes. Families are not invited to a church building, but a Christian visits them in their homes. A pastor doesn't preach to them like in the West, but facilitates a conversation on topics from the Bible. First they talk about creation and a number of stories from the Old Testament. Participants talk about how points from the stories can be applied to everyday life. Finally, it's time for the New Testament, where salvation in Jesus is introduced. If the family wants to accept Jesus as their savior, their home becomes a church.
By 2022, three families had openly confessed that they had become Christians and shared the gospel with their acquaintances.
Kyrgyzstan
Egehuset: Support for former orphanage children
9 In 2022, girls aged 16-20 years stayed at Egehuset, a transition house for girls who have completed their stay at state orphanages. The Danish European Mission's donors have contributed to covering the salaries of three employees and the project manager, as well as daily food costs.
At Egehuset, local Christians care for the girls and encourage them to complete secondary education, as well as socially equipping them to function in society. The girls are also invited to participate in a weekly Bible study. Here they learn who they are in God's perspective - that they are unique and valuable. "Every morning I thank God for Oak House and that I can live here. The leaders here are like our parents. They care for us and look after us. It's everything I didn't get from the relatives I lived with," says one of the girls at the home.
Mauritania
Support for theological education
A Christian convert from the predominantly Muslim country of Northwest Africa, where there are almost no Christians, has received funding to complete a bachelor's degree in theology in France in 2022. He expects to graduate in 2022, after which he will return to his home country and has found employment in a Bible translation project.
Neighboring country to Russia
Help for Russian refugees
In 2022, Danish Mission to Europe's donors have contributed to 343 Russian refugees have been given food and shelter in a neighboring country to Russia. The Russian refugees are mainly men, but families with children have also fled after Putin announced a partial mobilization of Russia's army on September 21, 2022. The announcement caused fear and panic among many men who do not want to participate in the war in Ukraine and has resulted in a flow of refugees to surrounding neighboring countries.
The help is provided by Christians who have set up their church buildings for the refugees to come and spend the night, get food and a shower, and help them with where to go next. Christians also share the gospel whenever possible and pray for them.
North Africa
Media Mission
Danish European Mission's donors support media mission in a North African country so that the unreached can hear the Gospel and Christians can be strengthened in their faith. The work is run by natives, and with their knowledge of the local culture and main religion, Islam, they continuously develop Christian content for different audiences, which is launched on various media platforms.
Every month they reach out to thousandsthat follow them and had over 1.2 million unique clicks on featured content. Project staff follow up with seekers, secret and open believers, and in 2022 they were in contact with 100-125 people who wanted to hear more or be part of a Christian community.
The project further facilitates online church and online Bible study groups. As a result, there are now small communities of believers in a country where the church has not been present for decades.
North Korea
Smuggling of medicines and vegetable seeds
Despite challenges with border closures due to the corona pandemic, with the support of Danish European Mission donors, we managed to introduce and deliver 4.988 Vegetable seed packets for those in need in North Korea. With the seeds, the recipients can grow their own vegetables.
This help for North Koreans has been particularly crucial in 2022 as corona restrictions have remained in place, including border closures, so the import and export of goods has been virtually non-existent. As a result, food is in short supply and according to the UN, 40 % of the North Korean population is malnourished.
In addition, the thousands of Christians in the North Korean underground church received medicine. For the safety of the church, the specific number of believers who have received the aid is not disclosed.
Help for North Koreans on the run
31 North Korean refugees have been helped from China to a safe third country where they do not risk being sent back to prison as punishment for their escape. The aid is particularly targeted at refugee women and children.
Sri Lanka
Distribution of Bibles
About 1000 Bibles have been distributed in 2022 to believing families living in rural Sri Lanka. Against the backdrop of rampant inflation in the country, many believers have been unable to afford to attend church services regularly due to high gasoline prices. The Bible, as a source of spiritual nourishment, has therefore been particularly valuable to the recipients.
Self-help for pastoral families
The economic crisis in the country is also affecting the country's churches. Many Sri Lankans have lost their jobs, and the income of the pastors, who rely heavily on members' donations, is also affected by the crisis. That's why in 2022, Danish European Mission donors contributed to 53 Pastors and church workers from poor areas could receive self-help assistance. The help consists of training and grants to enable pastors to start their own businesses, such as setting up a grocery store, raising cows or goats, or establishing a poultry farm.
The beneficiaries live in rural areas where Buddhism is widespread and many priests face discrimination. But with the help, the recipients find that the church is more accepted in the local community, as new businesses bring more jobs and production of valuable goods to the village. At the same time, the pastor's income is secured and contributes to creating sustainable congregations.
Syria
Citizens in Syria live in great uncertainty. The security situation is particularly challenging in northern Syria, where Islamic militias are fighting Kurdish security forces. Against the backdrop of the Ukraine war, food insecurity has risen to unimaginable levels and hunger is now the biggest threat in Syria. Families struggle daily to feed their families. Furthermore, the health situation is challenging. Due to poor hygiene standards in the country, a cholera outbreak broke out in northern Syria in 2022, resulting in hundreds of deaths.
Emergency aid
Against this background, in 2022, donors to the Danish European Mission contributed to 7.049 people could receive food and hygiene kits. The aid was distributed by local Christians. They help Christians as well as Muslims and minority groups, and for them it is also an opportunity to witness God's love in word and deed. Many from other faith backgrounds are touched by the care and love of the Christians as they realize that they themselves have been through persecution during the civil war, but are still full of hope, care and love towards their enemies, and some start following Jesus.
Schooling
Christians were also able to attend school. Due to the civil war that began in 2011, the school system in Syria has partially collapsed. This is causing many Christian parents to consider fleeing to the West to give their children a better future. However, an exodus of Christians is not good for the local churches or the country as a whole, as Christians contribute positively to society. By supporting schooling for Syrian Christians, Christian parents can have a reason to stay in Syria despite the war and make a positive difference.
Earthquake relief
The war-torn country suffered another disaster in February when earthquakes struck northern Syria. The city of Aleppo was particularly hard hit, leaving hundreds of thousands of people homeless. This was not only because their houses collapsed, but also because their houses were not safe due to the damage. In the midst of the distress, Christians, with the support of the Danish European Mission, reached out to the traumatized homeless in the streets and parks to distribute food, water, warm jackets, blankets, medicine and tents. Churches were open around the clock to welcome people into safe and warm spaces, offering food and tea and comfort and counseling to those in despair.
Turkey
There is an urgent need to train new leaders for the churches in Turkey. 78 missionaries and their families were expelled from the country in the period 2019-2021, which means that the Turkish church will be more self-reliant than before, when it was very dependent on the West. This is also healthy, as it gives the Turkish church a more Turkish expression in terms of meeting forms and culture, whereby the Christian faith can be better contextualized in Turkish society.
During 2022, the training of the seven adults to become pastors or leaders in churches. The training is full-time and students receive theological education combined with many opportunities to try out their skills in different branches of ministry in different churches. These include preaching in a safe environment, leading worship and working with children and youth.
In another church, future leaders were also trained, albeit in their spare time and online, across Turkey so they can put the training into practice in their local churches. 19 people completed the highest level in 2022 (there are beginner, intermediate and advanced levels). 106 students continued from 2022 on the course in 2023. When the school started in 2020 there were nine tutors, while in 2022 the number was 25.
This church, with the support of Danish European Mission improvers and donors, was able to complete two encouragement trips in Turkey, averaging 5000 kilometers each. On the trip, teams from the church visit small churches, encouraging, sharing the Word and praying with the local Christians. The trips also visit areas where there are no churches and gather individual believers to fellowship with others.
In addition, support was provided to Hayat channel, SAT7 Turkish and Alef FM. Kanal Hayat and SAT/ Turk broadcast satellite TV to Turkey, while Alef FM broadcasts local radio via the FM band. There is currently a great interest in the Christian faith in Turkey, especially among young people, and Kanal Hayat, SAT7 Turk and Alef FM each cater to this spiritual quest in their own way.
In eastern Turkey, a Christian community for Iranians and Afghans was supported. Many Iranians and Afghans travel to Turkey in order to come to Europe. In this attempt to find a better life in Europe, many are in a transition phase and are spiritually searching.
Yemen
The civil war in Yemen is back in full force after the fighting in the country was briefly interrupted by a ceasefire from April to October. The conflict is having a huge impact on the population and is considered the world's worst humanitarian crisis. It is estimated that 17 million of Yemen's population of 30 million people live in acute food insecurity. In addition, more than four million Yemenis live as internally displaced people without safe shelter and hundreds of thousands of children have no access to schooling. As a result of poor hygiene standards, cholera and other epidemics are killing many.
Food packages and clean drinking water
Danish European Mission donors supported in 2022 2.390 Yemeni people in need. The aid was provided by local Christians and consisted of life-saving food parcels and the installation of rainwater harvesters so that beneficiaries can access clean drinking water. With this initiative, diseases such as cholera, Covid-19 and other epidemics are prevented.