• About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Events
    • Staff and Leadership
    • Join Our Team
    • News & Stories
    • Contact
  • Immigrant Services
    • Who We Serve
    • Resettlement
    • Employment
    • Green Card/Citizenship
    • Technology Empowerment
    • Education Classes
    • Request Volunteer Support
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer With Us
    • Volunteer Resources
    • Regional Sites
    • Trainings
  • Get Involved
    • Community Support
    • Church Toolkit
    • Rent To Refugees
    • Hire Immigrant Neighbors
    • Advocate
    • Give Items
  • Donate
Arrive Ministries Arrive Ministries Arrive Ministries
office@arriveministries.org 612-798-4332
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Events
    • Staff and Leadership
    • Join Our Team
    • News & Stories
    • Contact
  • Immigrant Services
    • Who We Serve
    • Resettlement
    • Employment
    • Green Card/Citizenship
    • Technology Empowerment
    • Education Classes
    • Request Volunteer Support
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer With Us
    • Volunteer Resources
    • Regional Sites
    • Trainings
  • Get Involved
    • Community Support
    • Church Toolkit
    • Rent To Refugees
    • Hire Immigrant Neighbors
    • Advocate
    • Give Items
  • Donate

Book Inspires Action

September 8, 2021

After Naomi Downer read “After the Last Border” and attended our book event with the author, Jessica Goudeau, her family was inspired by the Syrian and Karen refugee families featured in the book.

[pullquote style=”left” quote=”light”]


Jesus said ‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me.’ I kept asking ‘how can I be more welcoming?’


[/pullquote]“Reading these stories about the challenges they faced, leaving everything they knew behind, including some of their family members, and having to relocate to a place they were completely unprepared for moved me to action.”

Jesus’ own words kept resonating in her heart. “Jesus said ‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me.’ I kept asking ‘how can I be more welcoming?’” explained Naomi.

Both Naomi and her husband had previously worked with refugees years earlier but hadn’t yet found a refugee ministry in their hometown of Rochester. After doing some research and talking with a friend, they learned of Arrive Ministries and contacted us to get involved in their city. Amazingly, we were able to connect the Downer family to be a Good Neighbor with a recently arrived Syrian family who moved to Rochester in the Fall of 2020.

[pullquote style=”right” quote=”light”]


We’re doing what we would want someone to do for us.


[/pullquote]For the past year, the Rochester family of four has taken the al-Nabahn family on adventures to the zoo, parks, and library; and helped with menial tasks like sorting through their mail and making medical appointments.

“We’re doing what we would want someone to do for us,” Naomi explains to her sons.

The Downers illustrates how education leads to involvement, and how the body of Christ works together to meet real human needs and provide love in word and deed.

Related Posts

Stories

Kateryna’s Brave Journey Escaping Ukraine

May 22, 2023 By Kate Shermer
St. Cloud, Stories

A Warm Welcome in Frozen April

May 3, 2023 By Kate Shermer
Employment, Stories

Former Clients, Now Coworkers Form Unique Bond

April 4, 2023 By Kate Shermer

Stay Connected

Select list(s) to subscribe to


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Arrive Ministries, 1515 E. 66th St., Richfield, MN, 55423, http://arriveministries.org. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Connect with us:

Arrive Ministries is a refugee resettlement agency providing essential services and practical assistance to refugees and immigrants to advance self-sufficiency. We mobilize volunteers, in partnership with local churches, to extend love and friendship to our new neighbors to promote thriving in a new homeland.

About Us

Contact Info

1515 East 66th Street, Richfield MN 55423

612-798-4332

office@arriveministries.org

Who We Are

Immigrant Services

Volunteer

Community Support

Donate

Copyright © 2023 • All Rights Reserved  • Powered by Malley Design

Your Cart (0)

Your cart is empty Continue Shopping

Sign in