Walking and working to bless others

When the war began in Ukraine two years ago, people who were displaced from their homes by the conflict couldn’t walk away from danger, they had to run.

But members of our Lutheran family and friends will be walking in Brisbane next month to support those children and families hurt by war through Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS). And it’s not too late to join them for a 3-kilometre or 12.5-kilometre walk along Brisbane River if you can be in the Queensland capital on Saturday 11 May or sign up to volunteer at the Walk My Way Ukraine event.

Alternatively, you can sponsor a walker or donate to help children and families in Ukraine by providing shelter and hope when it’s needed most.

Register to take part, support a walker or make a donation at walkmywayukraine.org.au or sign up to volunteer at alws.org.au/volunteer

Backed by our Lutheran family, ALWS also supports people in refugee camps in Bangladesh – using the ‘nudge’ approach.

This is a simple idea. People are inspired when they are shown through love and support how they can improve their family’s life. This little ‘push’ encourages them to get to work, and ALWS and its partners then support them with training and start-up help.

This builds momentum for success in their work. The ‘nudge’ approach has changed Elias’ life. He was injured when a log fell and crushed his leg in the sawmill where he worked. In a refugee camp, it’s very hard for someone living with disability to find work.

But ALWS backs a special program offering Cash-for-Work to people with disabilities to plant trees to restore the environment in the camp. Once Elias got his ‘nudge’, he worked hard. In six months, he earned enough money to support his son and buy a pair of crutches to increase his mobility so he could start a fish business.

Elias says: ‘Before, I was living as a burden to my family. Now I can contribute. If this kind of beautiful initiative is taken, people with disability like me, who people think are backward, will get a chance to be established in society and come to the ranks of the front row! I hope you will stay with us a long time.’

Our Lutheran family’s action through ALWS helps make sure people who face the toughest conditions get the support they need to look after their children.

You can read more about Elias and support refugee families by visiting www.alws.org.au/triple or call 1300 763 407.

You can also bless others through prayer. Pray for refugee families living in Bangladesh, that they would find safety, and have hope for their futures. Pray, too, for the Walk My Way event in Brisbane, for all those walking, volunteering and fundraising. And pray for families impacted by the ongoing wars in both Ukraine and Gaza, that they may be safe and that there will be peace in both regions.