Currently in Austin…

In Austin, I have the privilege of living in an apartment complex among many Syrian and Iraqi refugee families. This has been an amazing gift in building relationships with these friends. It has also given me the opportunity for greater insight into needs of the community and helped me be a better bridge between the the Church and this community. I love that I can help serve these families in various ways (translation at doctors appointments, enrolling children in school, teaching ESL, offering help with studying for the citizenship test, etc…) AND equip volunteers from various churches to do the same. 

More than any service I (we) have to offer, I feel these friends need relationship. All throughout Scripture we see God’s command to welcome the stranger. Here are just a few of the many verses on this topic. 

“If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you.” Leviticus 25:35

“He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.” Deuteronomy 10:18-19

“For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’.”  Galatians 5:14

When I worked at World Relief 10 years ago, I remember hearing for the first time that many refugees have never been invited into an American home. Having been welcomed with such opulent hospitality in various homes (and tents) in Indonesia, Jordan, and Lebanon, this especially strikes a chord with me. I deeply long to be a part of the Church being the welcoming face of Jesus to these friends who have come so far and left so much due to war and unrest. I hope even in our small little corner of the world here in Austin, TX refugees can experience the welcome of our generous God through us, the Church.