Showing Tag: "christ" (Show all posts)

Why have hope this Christmas? Jesus was a refugee.

Posted by Kaylee K on Wednesday, December 14, 2016, In : Faith 

With all the “wrong” going on in this world, it is hard to imagine that any one of us can make things “right”. Watch the news, look at social media, accidentally get pulled into a political conversation at the office, and before you know it you’re lost in a state of ‘how can our world be this dark?’ and ‘what can lil’ ol’ me do about it?’ 

Believe it or not, that is where the good news dwells. When we look at the millions of people displaced by war, persecution, starvatio...

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A Refugee Tale: The Impact of the Church

Posted by Kaylee K on Thursday, March 3, 2016, In : Response 
During our time in Italy we were humbled and encouraged by our encounters with refugees who were willing to share some of their journey with us. Over and over, we learned of the impact that Christians and churches have had. We heard first-hand testimony from refugees about Christians who cared for them and led them to Christ. We heard from churches about the power they saw just by welcoming refugees into their community. And we learned that when a Christ-follower serves a refugee at one point...
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Share their stories

Posted by Kaylee K on Sunday, October 23, 2011, In : Refugee Stories 

“Share their stories.” This is what I sensed God tell me when I was praying on next steps as I was leaving my last job. “Share their stories” has been repeated several times since. And, as John and I were heading home after 13 days in Italy where we learned about the refugee situation, met with churches and ministries that work with refugees and interacted with refugees there who are in a nearly constant state of limbo, I did not know how I could help or what we were to do next; but, ...


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I can't even imagine...

Posted by Kaylee K on Friday, October 7, 2011, In : Italy 
Prepare my heart, O Lord. There really is nothing worth doing in this world apart from God. The ways of man are empty without a bigger power behind us. Our vision is small without a Universal perspective. But, when God is on our side, look out!!

4 years ago, Lord, you said “Italy”. Now John and I get to see what you were talking about. As we prepare for this journey, please prepare us, Father. Who is it you want us to meet? What is it you want us to do? For only those things will matter i...
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Blog Authors


John and Kaylee Kolditz Kaylee founded Refugee Connect in 2008. John joined the work in 2011 as we investigated the refugee situation in Europe. But our faith and cross-cultural journeys have been a work-in-progress for many years. Much of this blog reflects that. ************************************************ We met in Austin, TX, while volunteering at a serving event at Gateway Church and have been married since 2002. Marriage, parenting and ministry all require a great deal of intentionality, humility and true reliance on God for strength, wisdom, and grace. It is a journey we are grateful to be on together. Ultimately, what matters to us is building into meaningful relationships in ways that, to the best of our ability and by God's grace, demonstrate the love and hope Jesus freely offers to us all. ************************************************ We bring both business and ministry backgrounds into our current work. John started a business in his 20's and helped build several other businesses. He has also served with churches in a variety of roles including as an assistant pastor, director of community development, and missions board member. Kaylee left her marketing career to become the global missions director for our home church in Austin, TX, then founded a local refugee ministry, and became TEFL certified (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) in order to prepare for our work overseas. We have led short-term teams domestically and internationally, and served with a variety of cross-cultural ministries. In 2008, we sensed a call to build into the church in Europe, which was also around the time when God broke Kaylee’s heart for refugees. Since then, God has continued to weave together this heart for refugees, desire to serve alongside the church, and focus on His call to Europe.

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