Saying Yes to Relationships: AHUMC Refugee Ministry by Ann Wilson

Two years ago Allen Lutes and I attended a conference on missions where we both chose to attend a breakout session on refugees. We heard testimonials from both refugees and the organizations that supported resettlement.  Their stories were moving and inspiring. Allen and I discussed whether AHUMC was “big enough” for such a large and impactful ministry. This would involve a lot of resources—time, energy, money, and skills.

Time passed, God tugged, then he pushed and I was reminded, it is GOD that is big enough for AHUMC to say yes to this new relationship ministry and I was ready to say yes to this leadership opportunity.  When I said yes, I had no idea exactly how much there would be to do.  Fortunately a team of 12 volunteers, that was passionate about welcoming the family of seven from Afghanistan, also said yes to this ministry.

The AHUMC Welcome Team met with Refugee Services of Texas (RST) to learn why the family was fleeing their home country to go halfway around the world to a country they did not know. We learned what our tasks would be to prepare for the family and important protocols to remember while preparing for their arrival.

During this time of service and preparing I think many of us began to love this family before we ever met them. We found joy in working hours on end to clean the apartment, secure the proper furnishings beyond the minimum required by RST, put together furniture, purchase the correct food for their arrival and many other tasks. When it was more than we could get done other members of our community of faith, AHUMC, pitched in to help. I marveled at the generosity and was inspired by those that would call, email or catch me at church to ask what else was needed. It felt a bit like “loaves and fish” in the last hours.

Alas our job was complete and it was a joyful time to meet the family at the airport and take them to their new home. They had left behind family, friends, possessions, a home, a community and more to arrive late at night to a country where nothing was familiar—language, food, customs, culture, housing, transportation and even bedding was strange.  We left them in the capable hands of RST who would begin getting them settled in school etc.

But this is not the end of my miracle in relationship with this family. Each refugee family is assigned a mentor if one is available and I knew that there were not enough mentors available. It’s a very time consuming job. I did not sign up because I felt I would be too busy for such a large commitment. God had other plans. He would not let me forget about this. In fact, he apparently solicited the services of my husband because weeks later Billy asked about the family. I explained that AHUMC and therefore my commitments were fulfilled. He kept prodding me to use my talents and sign up to mentor the family. I was reluctant but he kept asking.

As God would have it, I could not rest in my decision to not be a mentor. RST was grateful for my offer and I have been their mentor along with Linda Lee for the past five months. I have been rewarded with the joy on their faces when I arrive, many words of thanks for even the smallest things (like teaching them how to say something in English), offerings of the mother’s delicious bread made daily, handshakes and hugs. We acknowledge that we both know Abraham and worship the same God—because there is only ONE true God. We thank God together for all things. Once when I was out of town for two weeks and returned, everyone was happy to see me and gave me hugs—including the father who broke cultural barriers to do so.  

So for me, perhaps the greatest miracle of this relationship has been the expression of love between this family and me.

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.’
– Hebrews 13:2 (NRSV)