Hand in Hand

by Valerie Ong

As Christians, we are called to respond to the message of Matthew 25:35–36 to attend to the needs of the stranger. Moreover, we should “not neglect to show hospitality to strangers” (Heb. 13:1–2).

One way churches have exemplified this is through their outreach to refugees in the United States. North Baltimore Mennonite Church has established the Asylum Seekers Housing Network (ASHN), a ministry that seeks to serve asylum seekers in a welcoming community. Another church, in eastern Pennsylvania, has volunteered to co-sponsor refugees recently resettled in their communities, helping them get their feet on the ground.

It took Hassan, an asylum seeker from Iraq, more than one year to receive asylum status. He speaks of how long and difficult the process was, but that he was able to face the various obstacles because of the strong support provided to him by the ASHN ministry.

Similarly, Ahmad and Farah (Ahmad and Farah are pseudonyms. Their real names are not being used for security reasons), two Iraqi refugees, express their gratitude for the friendship and assistance extended to them by their local Mennonite church. Dedicated Muslims, but uncomfortable attending mosque in the United States, Ahmad and Farah feel welcomed worshiping with the church congregation who they call their new American “family.”

Apart from receiving various forms of assistance from churches, Hassan, Ahmad and Farah hold another thing in common. They are displaced, forced to flee Iraq. They are some of the few displaced Iraqis who have had the option of resettling in the United States.

It is clear that the hospitality and love shown by congregations who reach out to refugees and asylum seekers in their communities is valued and important. These gracious acts also demonstrate an alternative to U.S. policies that display distrust and fear in the face of overwhelming need.

The Iraqi refugee population is the fastest growing refugee population and Iraqis are the third largest displaced population worldwide. The United Nations has estimated the total number of displaced Iraqis to be more than 4.4 million people. Conditions in Iraq remain dire: there is a lack of access to food, health care, housing and education. This is often compounded by the influx of those internally displaced. The United States has not provided sufficient funding for the needs of countries in the region hosting refugees (primarily Jordan and Syria).

Furthermore, the U.S. had accepted just 1,608 Iraqi refugees at the end of the 2007 fiscal year, although the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program had allocated space for more than triple that number.

Half a decade has passed since the U.S. occupation of Iraq and the political debate on the war continues in Washington. Regardless of its outcome, displaced Iraqis will continue to face a war against insecurity and instability.

In some ways, Hassan, Ahmad and Farah are living testimonies of the benefits that can come from better U.S. policies and congregational outreach. Better U.S. policies would allow more refugees like them the opportunity to return home or to make new homes in third countries. Likewise, congregations can continue to reach out to those who are able to benefit from U.S. policies but still need assistance.