Over the last years, more than 400 asylum seekers are arriving in our country every week. People running from unsafe situations in their own country. People seeking for a secure and safe ‘home’. After arriving in the asylum seekers centres, they are waiting with anxiety on the result of their process. “Are we allowed to stay or do we have to return.”
In the Netherlands they have the opportunity to get some rest for a while. But also the chance to hear the redemptive message of the Gospel. Everywhere in our country Christians from different churches try to get in touch with these asylum seekers. They want to offer them their hospitality and sociability. And, if possible, let them meet Jesus. Most of the asylum seekers are Muslim, but are willing to hear more of the Gospel.
A man active among the Arabic speaking asylum seekers from the Middle East and for many years supported by ‘Stichting Gave’ is Marten. He was raised in Northern Iraq, but at a certain moment arrested by the Security Service. Because he proclaimed the Gospel and gave away a lot of Bibles. Prosecuted by the Islamic Party. Tortured and taken prison. Fled in 1997 to the Netherlands and since 2014 active as evangelist/pastor. First supported by Stichting Gave, since 1 September 2016 working for Stichting Middle East Support Ministeries. Operative under the name Agsanal Karma, Marten and his team of volunteers see about 200 Muslims come to faith in Christ every year. By their strategy of winning, building, training and sending, they are building an army of dedicated Arabic Christians, who have only one desire, that is to reach out to their fellow countrymen and people speaking their language. Their desire is to make all asylum seekers disciples of Jesus.
Agsanal Karma is a Dutch-Arabic organization; its goal is to spread the Gospel among the now in the Netherlands living, but originally coming from the Middle East, Arabic speaking communities. The organization is managed by people coming originally from these communities, who are now living and working in the Netherlands for a long time. The name Agsanal Karma means literally ‘twig on the grapevine’.
In practical way, Agsanal Karma is supported by Stichting Middle East Support Ministeries. It is in many cases easier for a Dutch organization to arrange the practical issues. MESM therefor takes care of a part of the financials of Agsanal Karma and helps with sponsor requests for as well Agsanal Karma as for Marten personally. It also takes care of the invitations and requests for visa for Arabic speakers coming to the several conferences and training days.
