If this Race has taught me one thing, it would be what is it like to be “homeless, seeking refuge”. I don’t mean homeless literally, because my home is with my Father and Jesus. Where ever I am I have a home in him. Actually, read Joshua Lett’s blog “Where is Home”, <https://joshualett.theworldrace.org/post/where-is-home> it’s pretty accurate. He also wrote a good song about it.
But seeking refuge… as in where are we going to be sleeping next? Where is the store so we can find food? What can we afford to provide for our whole team? We spend days sometimes trying to logistically find the next location where ever we are moving to. It gets taxing trying to find and get to the next place. On top of rolling into a new country, not knowing where we will be, trying to find affordable transportation, not knowing anyone and having to walk a mile or two just to find groceries and clean water. I chose this life, knowing these facts, knowingly walking into the uncomfortable to reach people and to bring my Father’s love and to bring the Kingdom of God.
Imagine doing that because it was the only way to get away from the threat of death or violence to your family. Imagine fleeing the country with only part of your family or by yourself because you couldn’t afford to bring everyone. And now your family is split in two and the part still left in the other country is in constant threat for their life. Now imagine getting to a country that isn’t the country of choice nor the place of refuge you hoped for. Not allowed to work for money and only getting whatever your family out of country can provide. Probably not having a home over your head or if you do possibly losing it at any moment. Not having any hope of moving on to your actual refuge country because of laws. Feeling hopeless but still finding ways to support each other in your new community. Choosing to teach the children so they can be educated. Then realizing those that are in this community are the ones that could escape the violence and the war and the death. How many more need refuge but are unable because they can’t afford to escape
My squad found ourselves placed in a community like this in Indonesia. We entered a community of middle eastern refugees and volunteered at a school to teach children. Some of us taught math, physics, science, history, art, general knowledge, computer, and English. The home we were stay at became the center of traffic for all the children in the community. Immediately we found ourselves playing uno and other games. Also playing soccer with them or going to their soccer games. Being involved with the children brought us into many of the families’ houses. We heard many stories of these people and found out that the moment you are invited into their house; you are considered family. Then we invited them over and made dinner for them. We had a movie night with the teens and really anyone else who wanted to come. Essentially we formed a family with the people seeking refuge from violence. I tend to stray away from calling them refugees because of the bad connotations on them. And because even to their own thinking it tells them to be a refugee means someone without hope of a future, and no longer having a place you can call home.
Three Things I learned from being with these people.
- These are people looking to get away from violence and threats of death. They looking for a better life for their family that the wars, violence, and persecution.
- They are more than “refugee”. They are people just like me. They love deeply for their friends and families. They care for their children and hope for a better life.
- The community and hospitality out does that of American hospitality. And they welcome in strangers even when they have “little” to give.
Check out Alex’s Blog “The Heart of Hector”
Most of these people are looking for more in life and just get away from the persecutions of their countries. Most of these people aren’t looking to cause problems or hurt anyone but just want to live their life and let their families live. Essentially they all are looking for a place of refuge. A place of safety and a better life.
Is this not a great summary of what they are looking for spiritually? We’re all looking for refuge and a better ‘home’ and we find it in Jesus Christ. Jesus gives us that home with our Father. He is our refuge, our place of hope, our better future and peace.
So what are we doing as a church? Is there more we can do for people seeking a place of Refuge? Or do we let the fear of possible danger prevent us from being that home for people?
