Friday, December 18, 2015

Friday, December 18

And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24-25

The saying, “It takes a village,” comes to mind when I read this text from Hebrews and think about the work of working with congregations supporting refugee resettlement.

Back in December of 2013, two of us from Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansdale’s refugee resettlement team headed to the airport to meet and welcome three young sisters traveling to Philadelphia from a refugee camp in Namibia, Africa. Their journey began many years before our church community ever met them. The journey began when these three were forced to flee for their lives from their home of the Democratic Republic of Congo, live in a refugee camp and then travel to the US to begin a new life.

We didn’t know much about them except that they were traveling alone without parents. We were nervous because we didn’t know what they looked like, how to find them at the airport, and how we should greet them. We were strengthened by the help, encouragement and reminders to each other about what is important. When we found the three sisters, we easily knew what to do. We welcomed them with hugs and brought them to the home our congregation had decorated and furnished. We ate a warm meal together and they finally slept in a safe place, a place they now call home.

Hebrews teaches us that we are called to show others what it means to welcome, care, support, help, and love one another. By working together, refugees are able to transition into a new life with new relationships. They are able to heal from their past, have a voice for themselves, and regain their humanity.

Gracious God, give us courage to welcome those who are different from ourselves and inspire us to help one another offer your compassion and love to those who are vulnerable. Amen.

Jane Jorgenson is a Resource Developer for Lutheran Children and Family Service Refugee Resettlement program in Philadelphia.