At times I have wondered how refugees survive at all without me. But they do. When I am visiting with many of them their many needs are vividly expressed to me or to the volunteers that work with me. The needs almost always are serious: a doctor, food, clothing, shelter…love. Most want a job but are not educated enough to obtain one in the States.

Just about every time I leave the faces of my refugee friends I am reminded that when I leave they will struggle on their own to try and accomplish the tasks necessary for their families survival. They will try to connect with the resettlement agencies for some help, with one another for support and with any American passerby that they can grab the attention of to ask for better American life understandings and a little assistance. In the beginning, walking away from a needy family was near impossible for me. Today, I have learned that my walking away for a few days is part of what helps them to learn quicker and me to maintain my sanity. In addition, we both grow by releasing the needs into Gods hands so as not to become dependent on my own ability to find ways to help. While I cannot walk away from a person who is hungry before feeding them, I must at times temporarily walk away from a person needing something like an additional pair of shoes or help completing a form.

It isn’t “me” that is responsible for changing the crisis situation for the families I meet. I believe its the work of the Lord and it will happen His way and in His timing. In order that I remain focused with a calm ,
compassionate and helpful heart, I have to remind myself that “I personally am not in crisis.” I aim to single-mindedly work with each refugee adult, teen or child slowly, calmly, intently and prayerfully giving them my utmost attention, respect and love. It is sort of like working in triage. Many people that first get involved with refugee work and learn about the piles of needs jump in scurrying around to accomplish much on their own. It leaves them feeling overwhelmed and stressed. I have learned that this kind of help can often hurt refugees more than it can help and it certainly can change a refugees focus to be on “things” instead of “God”. But for American Christians, it often eventually sends them on their knees with a harsh reminder that “they” cannot…and only “God” can.