let's be social!
I have been praying about this family for a couple of months now, before I was even matched with them. I have been especially eager and excited in the last week as we have awaited their arrival in the United States; however, a very strange thing happened last night as we stood at the concourse waiting for them to walk out…I felt that same insecurity arise that I felt when our little Cessna plane landed on the dirt airstrip in Nasir, Sudan this summer. Will I be good enough?
It was an amazing experience last night, to welcome a family into the U.S. with open hearts, and I am already completely sure that this whole stateside journey will shape and change me just as Sudan did. First, I cannot imagine what it felt like to walk in their shoes last night. Again I was reminded that I have lived such privilege and comfort my whole life…my pain is probably not a drop in the ocean compared to theirs. Yet they walked into IND with nervous smiles on their faces, dressed in standard clothes given to them, carrying only three- yes, three– small, rainbow-striped, IOM-provided bags full of all they have to begin a whole new life. Can you imagine?
After we drove them to their new apartment on the north side of Indy, we carried their bags in and began the process of acclimating them to American living. Luckily, it was not only Blaise and I, but also Derek (from Exodus) and a Karenni translator. It was a fascinating process to watch, and it reminded me that we take SO much for granted each and every day here. As Derek explained how to use the various things in the apartment, I watched with wonder.
“When this light on the stove is on, it means that it is hot and you cannot touch it.”
“The left knob is for hot water and the right knob is for cold. The water is safe to drink. You can drink this water.“
“The thermostat is in degrees Fahrenheit.”
“For security, make sure that you keep your doors locked.”
As Derek finished the apartment orientation around 2:00 am and we walked the family to a neighboring Karenni family’s apartment to eat a culturally-appropriate meal, my heart was filled with compassion for this young family of refugees. Their long and arduous journey is not nearly over, but I feel SO blessed to have the opportunity be a part of their lives, to love them unconditionally right where they are. Is there anything greater than serving our amazing and magnifiscent Lord?
Matthew 25:34-36…
Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’
