About 2 weeks ago I was able to directly help the refugee families here in San Antonio. It was pretty sweet!! San Antonio has become a refugee relocation center in the US for families from various countries such as Iraq, Iran, Asia- Burma & Bhutan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and many more. Oak Hills Church has become active in connecting with new families and making sure they have necessities for living such as food, furniture, clothes, etc. The families with the most need were identified and each team (2-4 volunteers) went out to their home to deliver food and other needed supplies. We met at the church for cultural training and a brief meeting then it was off the apartments.
My team mates were Cherie, Josh & Nick. It was a great first hand experience with two families from the Middle East. The first family from Iraq and only the mother was home. She welcomed us into her home giving hugs to Cherie and I. After removing our shoes we sat in her living room explaining that we were here to bring food for her family and find out any needs she may have. Almost immediately she spoke of needing a job so she can provide for her family. She deeply desired a job but with her limited English makes it that much more difficult to attain. As I sat in her apartment I realized how much I can take for granted especially the ability to communicate with others. Her primary language is Arabic not English. She is however attending English classes weekly but still struggles. Even though we had difficulty communicating she was very pleasant and hospitable. The second family is from Iran only the mother was home. Her primary language is Farsi and she spoke/ understood very little English, much less than the first woman. We attempted to contact her son who understands English but were unsuccessful. After a few more minutes of attempting communication we left. She gave the girls hugs and handshakes for the gentlemen. Even though we had a hard time communicating I believe she was happy we came to visit and was very thankful for the food.
It was rather difficult to communcate with the refugees because we do not speak their native languages but with smiles on our faces and love in our hearts I think they understood. While in their homes we did a visual assessment of their situation by checking the kitchen, furniture in the home and possible other urgent needs. Both families were very welcoming inviting us into their homes almost immediately. Their hospitality was encouraging and a blessed me too!! I hope to be able to serve in this capacity again!
Here's a brief background on the refugee program . . . (Thanks Cherie for posting this on FB)
BACKGROUND ON REFUGEES
The U.S. government has been settling hundreds of refugee families from northeast Africa, the Middle East and South Asia in San Antonio over the last 2-3 years, the majority from Muslim countries. The number of families has increased sharply in recent months; Texas is being favored as a relocation spot because our state economy is perceived as better than other parts of the country. These families are resettled in clusters, primarily in several apartment complexes in the medical center area. Families are given 4 months of paid housing (down from 6) and some initial assistance with food (a gift card for groceries) to bridge the gap until they can receive food stamps (2-3 months). They are also supposed to receive other services to help children enroll in school, to learn English and get connected with resources to find employment. All of this is coordinated by Catholic Charities; each refugee family gets a caseworker. In the best of circumstances, these “foreigners in our land” are lost and could use a friendly neighbor. Catholic Charities, however, is struggling to keep up with the inflow and is very appreciative of volunteer support through churches and other organizations. Anecdotal evidence suggests that many families, especially the new arrivals, are suffering: running out of food, lack of basic necessities such as sheets, kitchen utensils, soap and shampoo, furniture, etc. We understand that state funding is getting tighter just as the number of arriving refugees is accelerating. The situation is becoming critical, especially for the newest arrivals who may increasingly fall through the cracks. God has already connected Oak Hills through our Bibleland summer program and through other outreach partnerships, and we have begun connecting with other churches and organizations working through a monthly Refugee Forum meeting at University United Methodist. Oak Hills has informally been asked to concentrate on the Iraqi community, and on assisting in the area of food acquisition and distribution.
The Refugee Forum has created the following groups to help figure out resources. Noted below are specific ways that WE can help in these areas:
Areas of Need
(1) Critical Food Acquisition and Distribution – we have access to food and knowledge of neediest families (especially new arrivals awaiting food stamps), some need for donation of food staples, greatest need is for people to distribute.
(2) Welcome, Friendship and need assessment – tied to need #1, food distribution is a means to welcome the refugees and, where possible, build relationships. As relationships develop, you become aware of other needs, and the church can help our volunteers know how to steer their friends to resources.
(3) Volunteers can also serve as a cultural mentors, at times this can include driving them to do shopping, for appointments, for services, etc.
(4) Employment – connecting the community with opportunities for any kind of job. Refugees have work permits & desire to work. Huge need for jobs and job leads.
(5) Furniture and Clothing Acquisition and Distribution – big need for donated items, esp. things like kitchen goods/utensils, pillows and bedding and furniture. These can be dropped off at collection points and distributed to the neediest people.
(6) Education (ESL) – formal or informal ESL instruction; great activity for building relationships. Statement of Principals ·
Oak Hills must be careful to coordinate any efforts with the agencies tasked with provided refugee services, especially Catholic Charities, as well as with other partnering churches and organizations, so as not to duplicate efforts. The monthly Refugee Forum already exists for this purpose. Oak Hills does not wish to encourage dependency by the refugees, and must focus all of its efforts towards encouraging independence and self-sufficiency. However, we recognize that in this imperfect system we may have an important roll in helping bridge the gap. Thus, our efforts should focus primarily on the most newly arrived immigrants, as well as single-parent families where employment is more difficult. · In reaching out to these refugees, we are following Christ’s command to love our neighbors and to take care of foreigners in our land. We can be the hands and feet of Christ, witnessing through demonstrating love. We trust that the Holy Spirit will guide us in this effort, and show us if and when it is appropriate to share the gospel; however, our intention is not to go out and immediately make converts. · There are significant cross-cultural challenges to this work, and we will need to provide appropriate training to individuals, families and groups that are willing to commit to working within the refugee community. We must also resource the volunteers so that they know where to turn to help their families.·
This ministry is fundamentally about developing relationships. Volunteers do not need to have any special skill or background, just a desire to love and patience to work with people of another culture. · This ministry can be time-consuming. The most sustainable approach will be to put several individuals/families together as a team that would be matched with one particular refugee family. This should be the medium-term goal. · Outreach to refugees in our neighborhoods fits within our current strategy of reaching the city, and is a good fit with our Children’s Hunger Fund initiative. The refugee population will be one of the targets for ongoing food distribution, again as a means of building relationships. When possible we should strive to connect refugees with volunteers and communities living in their geographic proximity, which makes it easier to build the relationship (though not required). · The best visual for this ministry is that of a bridge: we can serve as a bridge between between needs and available resources, between isolation and community, between cultural confusion and understanding, and between dependence and self-sufficiency. All of this helps generate dignity and self-worth, and will witness to God’s love for our newest neighbors.
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