-
Immigration
The Collaborative Social Justice Committee is beginning an education series on the subject of Immigration. Exodus tells the story of the Chosen People, Israel, who were victims of bitter slavery in Egypt. For forty years they lived as wanderers with no homeland of their own. Their experience of living as homeless aliens was so painful and frightening that God ordered his people for all time to have special care for the alien:
"You shall treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; have the same love for him as for yourself; for you too were once aliens in the land of Egypt." (Leviticus 19:33-34)
-
Breaking Bread and Barriers
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Speaker Presentation: Engelie Blomerus, South African Refufee
Zainab Absdo, Syrain RefugeeEngelie Blomerus will briefly shared with us the struggles and joys that she and her family experienced as immigrants from South Africa, and how her experiences led her to helping others who also face this life-changing transition. She also spoke about her work with her church in assisting immigrants to our local area.
We then heard from Zainab, a Kurdish refugee from Syria, who shared quite a different story… one of leaving her homeland amidst war and destruction. We learned how she and Engelie crossed paths and shared stories in the “Conversation Room,” a ministry focused on helping local immigrants build community and relationships. We were fiven some direction on how maybe we, too, can begin similar work in our own collaborative community. -
Breaking Bread and Building Relationships
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Speaker Presentation: Zaniag Absdo, Syrain Refugee
Also joining us are Nawal and Raedha, Iraqi RefuggesImagine living in a war-ravaged country where the destruction of hospitals, homes, historic landmarks, schools, and once bustling downtown centers is a daily occurrence. You live in constant fear that your home could be the next target of arbitrary shelling. And then the unthinkable happens – your home is nearly leveled in a fiery explosion. You and your family survive, but you realize that it’s no longer possible to make a life in the only country you have ever known. You must leave behind your friends, all of your possessions, your school, and your native language. You wait two years while working tirelessly to obtain the necessary paperwork to come to the United States with the hope of a better life. This is the story twenty three year-old Syrian refugee Zainab Abdo courageously shared with our community last November.
Through Zainab, we learned firsthand the tremendous courage, resilience, and hope that it takes to come to the United States and start a new life. We learned how difficult it is to learn a new language, start over in a new school, and obtain work. We also learned that immigrants and refugees cannot do this on their own. Every immigrant and refugee needs the support of their new community to survive and thrive.
Engelie Blomberg, an immigrant herself, shared with us how her immigration experience led her to help others who are also facing such a life-changing transition. She spoke about her work helping refugees through outreach and relationship building. She also spoke about a “Conversation Room” program that teaches English to recent immigrants and refugees.
Many of you were excited about starting a program like this in our Collaborative. As a first step, the Collaborative Social Justice Committee is hosting this meeting to explore what our community might do to support refugees. Refreshments will generously be provided by Nawal and Raedha, two Iraqi refugees who will also join us.