When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God (Leviticus 19: 33-34).
For many years our family has volunteered in various phases of refugee resettlement. Why then do I still find it surprising that we lead an ELCA Central States Synod partner ministry called Once We Were Refugees?
Eight years ago, my husband Bill and I were volunteering at Della Lamb Community Services, helping to resettle refugees. Abdul Bakar, Director of Refugee services at that time asked us to help with a resettlement on a Saturday. I said Bill could help, but I was teaching sewing at St. Mark’s Hope and Peace that day. With that Abdul asked if I would teach sewing to the refugees. I was very hesitant since the refugees I’d be working with don’t speak English. Yet, Abdul challenged me:
“If God gives you a gift and you do not use it, it is no longer a gift.”
I prayed about this and soon the first day of class was about to begin. A tiny lady from Bhutan came into the classroom after seeing a very old black singer sewing machine.
She caressed that machine as if it were a baby. She then turned to me and said, “I had a machine like this back at my home in Bhutan” I replied, “if you come to my class you can sew on that machine.” She then came and sat very close to me and told me all about her life in Bhutan. When I looked up, I saw the staff standing in the doorway with tears running down their faces.
After class I asked Abdul, “Why the tears?”
He said, “Oh Ann. That little lady has been here for a year and a half. In that time she would not speak. We thought she was mute. She spoke only to her ESL teacher recently. You are a complete stranger and after seeing that machine, it unlocked something deep inside of her and she told you all about her life in Bhutan. This is a miracle.” From that first moment with her and the sewing machine, she has not stopped talking since.
This was when Bill and I realized we were being called to a new ministry. Eight years later, with much help from the Central States Synod congregations and the Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska communities, we have been blessed to serve over 200 students and their families. We are able to provide services to the refugees at no cost to them thanks to the generous donations and volunteers that support Once We Were Refugees.
GOD BE PRAISED!
Let’s us pray:
Dear Lord, We thank and praise you for the gifts you give us. Help us to discern when you put opportunities before us to use those gifts. We thank you for the support of the congregations and individuals that join with us in ministry. Help us to remember we walk with the refugees as we love and include them in their new country. In Jesus name.
Amen
Questions for Reflection:
Can you recall an experience that pushed you out of your comfort zone? Did you want to say no to an opportunity that others saw only a yes?
Think about your passions and hobbies; are there any that could be shared with members of your community?
Ann and Bill connected with refugees in their community. Are there people in your towns and communities whose stories you do not know? How can you begin to learn more about them or invite them to share with you?
Ann Say and husband Rev. William Say are members of Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Lee’s Summit, MO. They are co founders of Once We Were Refugees. They are both retired and have volunteered with refugees since 1973.
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