Imagine your plane ticket has been booked. After fleeing persecution in your home country and then years of waiting in a refugee camp, you finally have the chance to fly to a new beginning. You arrive at the airport only to learn that your travel has been canceled. No promises to rebook the ticket have been made. You no longer have the chance to resettle. 

This was the reality for thousands of refugees already vetted and approved to be resettled in the U.S. at the beginning of this year. 

On January 20, an executive order was issued entitled “Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program.” Under this Executive Order, all resettlement of refugees was suspended for review. On January 24, federal funds to help resettled refugees were suspended as well, when resettlement agencies nationwide received a stop-work order.

In addition to these initial decisions, federal contracts with ten of the primary resettlement agencies were terminated on February 26. At the time of writing, these actions are being challenged in court proceedings and there is deep uncertainty about the future of refugee resettlement in the U.S. Amidst the uncertainty, one thing is clear. Thousands of refugees hoping for a new life in the U.S. will remain in vulnerable situations until refugee resettlement reopens here. 

Refugees are people who have been forced to leave their own country because of war or persecution and are unable to safely return home. After seeking refuge outside their home country, refugees apply to be resettled. Of the over 37.6 million people who are living outside their home country as refugees, less than 1% annually are resettled to a new country.

The church spent weeks collecting the basic household necessities to turn the Karzai’s bare apartment into a warm and welcoming home. 

While the landscape of refugee resettlement may be changing, God’s call to welcome the stranger remains the same. At Exodus, we believe the Church can be a beacon of hope during uncertain times for those seeking safety and belonging. 

Matthew’s gospel records Jesus telling a story of a coming day when all nations are before Him. For some, Jesus commends them for giving Him food when he was hungry, for seeing Him thirsty and giving Him something to drink, and for inviting Him in when he was a stranger. To the others, He rebukes them for their inaction when they saw Him in the same vulnerable situation. 

Both groups of people are confused and ask Jesus, “When did we see you hungry, thirsty, as a stranger, unclothed, sick, or in prison?” He responded by saying, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40). 

Jesus refers to those who need help - including the stranger - in familial terms. He calls them “brothers and sisters of mine.” Then Jesus says doing those things for the vulnerable is caring for Christ himself. 

As followers of Christ, we have the opportunity to see each person as uniquely made in the Imago Dei, or the image of God. For our many volunteers, this becomes a reality when they meet resettled refugees in their community. 

When the Karzai family, refugees from Afghanistan, were resettled just outside of Chicago in early January, they received a Welcome to America! Pack from church volunteers. To follow Christ’s call in Matthew 25, the church spent weeks collecting the basic household necessities to turn the Karzai’s bare apartment into a warm and welcoming home. 

The Church can shine forth in times of uncertainty. 

A few days after setting up their apartment, the volunteers returned to visit the family. To the church member’s surprise and delight, they were greeted with traditional Afghan hospitality! The Karzai family and volunteers spent time together enjoying an Afghan meal and learning each other’s stories. The volunteers went to extend Christ’s hospitality, and they received welcome and warmth in return from their new neighbors! 

During an uncertain time for refugees, the Church has the profound privilege of shining Christ’s love and hope to the vulnerable. In a moment when the sojourner may feel unwelcome, we can extend hospitality. For those who may be experiencing food insecurity, we can share a meal. When a member of our community feels alone or afraid, we can offer friendship and belonging. 

By standing firm in Christ’s call to us, the Church can shine forth in times of uncertainty. 

Join us in praying for refugees, our nation, and those awaiting resettlement in vulnerable situations overseas. You can learn more about God’s heart for refugees and how to welcome the sojourner in our Bible study resource here. 

Photo provided by the author