by Mariasun, an Alliance worker serving in Spain

Shabba walked in for language class. I could tell there was something weighing on his mind.

“Mama, I need to talk to you,” he said in broken Spanish.

“By all means, Shabba, go ahead,” I said.

“My friend Ebrahima is living in the street, and he needs help. It’s cold where he is.”

“How do you know him?”

“We were in school together in Gambia. We left our country and made it to Spain. We were placed in centers for minors. He was let go before me; I haven’t seen him since. Please help him—he needs to be in AMOR.”

“I’m so sorry, Shabba. We are not able to take in new boys at this time. But if he’s cold or hungry we can get clothes and food to him. Find out what his needs are.”

Sadly, the heartbreaking story I heard that day reminded me of many others I have encountered since establishing Project AMOR five years ago to serve those who, like Ebrahima, have been pushed to the margins of Spanish society.

The Africa-Spain Migration Reality

Last year alone, 46,000 West African migrants reached the Spanish Canary Islands in about 3,600 overcrowded cayucos and rubber boats. More than 5,000 did not make it through the Atlantic crossing, considered the most treacherous in the world.

Many of the survivors are desperate, brave boys and young men risking their lives for a better future. To their disappointment, upon arriving in the new land they face a myriad of obstacles. Vulnerable and unprepared, they once again find themselves alone and hopeless. To make matters worse, upon reaching adulthood they discover they have “aged out” of many local assistance programs for refugees.

In response to the felt needs of the African migrant community in southern Spain—and thanks to your prayers and generous support—Project AMOR was launched in early 2020. Today, the young men we serve have become like family. Housed in two apartments and educated at a small storefront office we call El Centro, our boys (as we affectionately call them) receive shelter, food, and the tools they need to obtain dignified employment and pursue an independent, healthy life in their new homeland. Within a Christ-centered environment—the first many of these young men have ever experienced—we provide language and job skills training, medical and dental care, and even some legal assistance. Because for most of the journey toward obtaining steady work, language proficiency, and proper legal status can take many months, we are given a hefty timeframe to get to know our beloved boys, demonstrate God’s unconditional love to them, and guide them toward salvation and transformation in Christ.

Connecting with Ebrahima

A few days later, I reopened my conversation with Shabba.

“How’s your friend?” I said.

“Mama, he’s not around here. He’s up north, 11 hours from here. Let’s call and see if he has internet today.”

It turned out that Ebrahima, alone and unprotected, had been led to three large cities in search of work and other means of survival. Finding that city life for the homeless was unsafe and anything but healthy, he sought refuge in a small town where a very small group of African immigrants huddled together, hoping for peace and protection.

To our relief, he was not cold. Someone had given him two warm coats. Food was another story, however. He did not eat every day. He was also lonely and scared.

“Ebrahima, let me call you back in a few minutes,” I said. I needed that time to pull myself together. Tears were rolling down my face, and I knew my voice would crackle if we continued the conversation.

I gathered our team to relay the update we had received. We cried together and turned to God with desperate prayers on our hearts.

“Lord, what shall we do?” we said. “Logic says, ‘No. Our funds are running dry, and we can’t afford to take on another refugee.’ Yet, our hearts scream to bring him in where he can be surrounded by love, the love that You have given us and commanded us to share. Please, Lord, guide us!”

Within two days, Ebrahima was safe, grateful, and content within the AMOR family. Even months later, though, the emotional scars remain evident. He’s under medical care for various ailments, including a recent, very painful infection in his big toe. Left untreated, the podiatrist said it could have serious consequences. My first thought was, What if this had happened before Shabba spoke on his behalf? When he was homeless, he did not know his way around or have access to medical care. What would have happened to him if God had not guided him to us?

Making a Greater Impact Through Project AMOR

We are thankful for each and every “Ebrahima” God has guided to us over the last five years. You are making a difference in these young men’s lives, and with your continued prayers and support, we could do so much more. As the need for AMOR services grows, we often must turn down requests due to lack of funds. Added resources would enable us to:

• Expand the program. We can currently house up to 11 boys. Within the next two years, we hope to house 17–24. To do this, we need additional funding and staff.
• Improve our facilities. We’re outgrowing the storefront office that has served us so well during the initial years of the project.
• Bring more hope and more transformation. We are the only evangelical ministry in the area with a holistic approach to refugee care, and we deeply desire to share life in Christ with many more young African men. In many cases, we are the only gospel witness in their lives.

We are confident others in our Alliance family share our heart for the work God has called us into. Thank you for your commitment to seeing that AMOR continues to plant deep gospel seeds as we seek to reclaim this part of the world for God’s Kingdom.

Give Young Refugee Men a New Start

Your giving to Project AMOR means young refugee men in Spain receive food, clothes, housing, language training, and other essentials as they find work and adapt to a new country and a new stage of life. To demonstrate the compassion and hospitality of Jesus toward overlooked but courageous and hardworking young refugees, visit cmalliance.org/gift-catalog-alliance-strategic-projects/project-amor-spain. Learn more about Alliance strategic projects throughout the world in need of your prayers and financial support by accessing the 2024–2025 Strategic Giving Opportunities Gift Catalog at cmalliance.org/gift-catalog or by calling toll-free (866) 443-8262.

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