by Laura J. Seaman
Immigrants arriving in America often experience a flood of emotional and spiritual upheaval. They find themselves lost and confused in an unfamiliar new world. Without jobs or even sometimes a home, they have nowhere to turn. That’s when our Church reaches out with the Good News to bring hope and love.
Rev. Kasongo Gui actively works to bring the Gospel message of Christ to refugees through a mission called French African Immigrant Mercy and Evangelism (FAIME). Based in Milwaukee, Wis., FAIME reaches refugees through Bible and Catechism classes, housing support, job-training classes and seminars on the biblical perspective on social issues, including marriage and vocation.
“Most of the refugees come from other religious backgrounds,” said Pastor Gui. “That is why it is important to me to catechize, baptize and confirm them with Lutheran teachings. I love to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ!”
“I share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that we are saved by grace! We don’t have to do anything, but God comes to us in Word and Sacrament.”
Rev. Don Hougard, pastor of Benediction Lutheran Church in Milwaukee and Gui’s circuit counselor, said that Gui uses and teaches the Catechism as “a compass for life.”
Thanks to your generous gifts to the Global Mission Fund, FAIME has received $18,500 in LCMS mercy grants, dollars that will help with informational, educational, physical and spiritual resources for French-, Swahili-, Lingala- and Chiluba-speaking West African immigrants.
Hougard said the grants help families in a very real way and that “every penny went to help somebody in need.”
“In Africa people think they have to fast more, pray more,” said Gui. “I share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that we are saved by grace! We don’t have to do anything, but God comes to us in Word and Sacrament.”
Recipient: French African Immigrant Mercy and Evangelism (FAIME)
Amount: $18,500
Result: African immigrants receive Bible and Catechism classes while adjusting to life in America.
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