I don’t want Syrian refugees to come to America because I’m afraid
A Syrian refugee woman invited us to visit her home, but we were lost and this time it wasn’t my fault. Sitting inside the stuffy car my right eyelid drooped from the 90 plus degree temperature. My hair blew when I pointed the passenger side air-conditioning vents toward my face. I glanced at the driver of the rented Hyundai and it occurred to me, I don’t know her last name. However, I do know she drove in this country for the first time 3 days ago.
Instead of pursuing the American dream she navigates this foreign land and sits behind the wheel with a permanent look of satisfaction on her face. You know, the kind that flows out of a soul full of Jesus.
Lost and looking for the lost
She hit redial on her cell phone for the fifth time to get repeat directions and remained unfazed when it was time to admit we were hopelessly lost. Who could blame us? None of us read Arabic, the streets were not marked and directions were confusing. “Turn right at the third street.” Define street, please. Is that an alley or a street? It was hard to tell.
I wondered out loud what to do. Lost in thought, or perhaps praying silently, she ignored me.
After fifteen awkward minutes of silence, her eyes went wide as a grin spread over her face. “That’s it!” she exclaimed. After driving in circles looking for a coffee shop, we were parked beneath the neon sign of an old fashioned pot. Don’t need to read Arabic to figure that out, just need to look up, literally.
Psalm 121:1, “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains-where does my help come from?” NIV
Finally
We arrived at the run-down, cinder block home and I blinked back tears as she told her story . Through the translator, I said, “I am so sorry for what you have been through. I want you to know we care.”
SHE ALREADY KNEW
“I know you care because you spent so much time finding me.” Hmmm, isn’t that interesting? No one would blame us if we gave up, yet the source of our frustration was proof of our commitment.
Do you see delays and inconveniences as opportunities?
Could it be the very thing frustrating you is what God intends to use for your blessing and good?
Delays are God-designed detours to accomplish His purposes #Syrian refugees #compassion #opportunities Click To TweetShe thanked us for caring and declared, “All Christians care and I am grateful all Americans stand with the Syrian refugees.”
Uh oh…
DON’T TELL HER THE TRUTH
She receives humanitarian aid and Christians help her people. After all, isn’t that what Jesus commanded?
Matthew 25:35, “For 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 took me in.” HCSB
She practices English so she can work when she gets the opportunity to come to the United States and every American she meets is there to help, or like us, simply listen. There is much value in listening to someone’s story, but it costs our most precious commodity-time. Frankly, I’ve been stingy with my time for most of my life.
Isaiah 58:19, “Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.” NLT
LISTEN FOR A MOMENT
I am afraid for Syrian refugees to come to America because I am afraid for them to know the truth – not all Christians care, are eager to help or willing to listen. And Americans? Well take a few minutes to scroll through social media and you get the idea. I love my Syrian friend and I don’t want her to know. That’s why I’m afraid for Syrian refugees to come to America.
3 John 1:8, “We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.” NIV
She imagines making friends and socializing, after all, she gladly opened her home to complete strangers. Who will welcome her into their home? Even worse, who will invite her to their church? Where will she be welcomed dressed in the only wardrobe she has ever known.
I’M AFRAID
God commanded us to go to the uttermost parts of the world and now He is bringing the world to us. Will we neglect the lost? Please don’t think this is a political stance on accepting Syrian refugees who are not properly vetted. My opinion doesn’t count in that debate anyway.
My question is not whether she should come; my question is, will you welcome my friend if she does?
Will you invite Syrian refugees to your church? What about your home?
Will you shatter her perception of Christian Americans with hateful prejudice because of the evil my friend and her people are trying to escape?
Will you veil the gospel?
2 Corinthians 4:3, “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.” ESV
I’m afraid for her to come, but if she does, will you make sure she is not disappointed?
Excellent and well written. My last name is misspelled FYI but it’s not the first nor will it be the last time!
Oops! Sorry about that, I corrected it before it went out to my subscribers or Facebook
It is awesome how the LORD used your problems, driving around lost, to reveal HIS PURPOSE. HE IS GOD ALONE. I enjoyed reading Eric Costanzo’s article also.
I feel like I’m always driving around lost these days. But you’re so right, God always has a purpose
Thank you for articulating that dilemma so well. I too believe we are called to love, but find myself struggling with how to begin and with being as willing to commit the time. I also tend to be too quiet when the topic comes up because I don’t want argue with others who want to “send them all back.”
Thank you for personalizing this struggle and making me take time to think on it. I have also always been stingy with my time and am working on letting God guide how to use it.
I think we are stingiest with the things we don’t have in abundance
Vickie, would love to meet your friend if and when she makes it to the USA. As an immigrant I know the hardships and the feeling of not belonging to the new culture once the initial excitement of being here as worn off. Fitting in and belonging can take years.
I do understand the fear that most people have in letting vast numbers of refugees into this country…the vetting system is not adequate.
We need to use wisdom as well as love.
Love that. Wisdom and love
Good post. I echo some of your other folks who commented. We are called to love and care for those in need. Terrorism has made it more complicated than I wish it were. I hope I will be open and welcoming to those who come and that they will come to know Jesus because of it if they don’t already know him.
it’s definitely complicated and easy to get overwhelmed by fear
Thank you for your courage. It took me a few minutes to finish reading this. More than likely, my eyes will continue to leak the rest of the day but I really needed this message. I closed my facebook account last night in large part because of the same hate-filled message you spoke of. I am a coward. It doesn’t take much to silence me. Being courageous has never been my strong suit. Not only is your courage admirable, it is also encouraging.t may even give this old woman hope for a courageous future.
A few people unsubscribed but that’s ok. Thanks for taking the time to encourage me