Serving in Uncertainty
One of the greatest joys of working with local churches is seeing them respond to needs and opportunities as they arise. It’s encouraging to see teams embrace the uncertain and be the church in action. Stepping into unknown circumstances or shifting your expectations from what was originally communicated can be challenging. However, when working with our refugee and immigrant neighbors, things can change unexpectedly. It’s encouraging to see teams embrace the uncertain and be the church in action.
Earlier this spring we began working with St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Bloomington. This church was eager to come alongside a refugee family and formed a team of about twenty people! In May, they welcomed a small Ukrainian family. At the airport, team members spoke some basic Russian (the primary language of this family) and brought signs to welcome them. While chatting at the airport, other team members discovered the close proximity in which they lived to this family – they are practically neighbors!
Shortly thereafter, Refugee Life Ministries staff learned of a Nigerian family living in Bloomington who had expressed interest in having a team come alongside them. Although they had lived in Minnesota several years, they did not have a support system or community to rely on. The mother had recently given birth to premature twins, growing their family of four to six. Although they had lived in Minnesota several years, they did not have a support system or community to rely on. We brought this news to the St. Michael’s team and they were burdened to split the team into two in order to befriend this family as well.
Although this Nigerian family was not brand new to the U.S., the team recognized the opportunity to come alongside them and were obedient to Jesus’ command to “love your neighbor.” Please join with us in praying for this church and these families as they build friendship, learn from each other, and enter into fruitful community as neighbors.
Wendy Meyering is the Program Director of Refugee Life Ministries, a ministry branch of Arrive Ministries.
Refugee Life Ministries (RLM) has the mission to empower churches to walk alongside refugee families with the love of Christ. We desire life transformation for refugees and the church. Teams of 6-15 people from churches and individual New Neighbors are equipped to love their refugee friends holistically as they build genuine friendships, walk with them as they adjust to life in the U.S., assist with practical needs, and extend welcome. Learn more about RLM.
