Orphaned

One of my sons oversees the Youth Program in our area for the refugees the U.S. takes in from war-torn/repressive government-run countries.  These children are not orphaned but they have often witnessed terrible killings and lived in fear the years preceding their escape.  Yesterday he was showing us pictures of the sand trays used to help the younger children express their trauma--the little objects buried in the sand to represent the dead bodies they'd seen.  These children are from places like Iraq and Eritrea.  We went on to discuss the furor over immigrants in this country--illegal as well as legal.  It seems so many in this country want to shut our borders to everyone.  We have a candidate for public office in our town who is a second-generation Filipino who wants to "strengthen our borders"....now that his family is "in".  I just can't understand this thinking!  If you are not native American Indian you are from immigrant stock.  This is what this country was built on--the various cultures, religions, races--the diversity that has been integral to what the United States of America is all about--freedom from oppression and the pursuit of happiness.  Now that we are in, do we want to deny this inalienable right to our fellow mankind?  Yes, it may require us to make some sacrifices to fit in more people--but isn't that what America all about--ingenuity?  Can't we figure out a way to work it all out?


Jesus entreats us to care for our neighbor.  Who is our neighbor?  Anyone in need.  He said:  

<< Matthew 25 >> New International Version 1984   35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 41“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 44“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

Father, as I make You my vision I know I shall be able to stand before You one day and hear the longing in my heart, "Well done, good and faithful servant."


Link to: "Be Thou My Vision"

Link to scripture:  Matthew 25:21

Take action: International Refugee Rescue