WELCOME HOME “Welcoming our new neighbors WELCOME HOME “Welcoming our new neighbors.” Dan Samuelson, Director www.welcomehome.buzz
>Very early in Scripture, God tells His people that the especially vulnerable are especially dear to Him- *Ex. 22:21-22, Deut. 10:17-19, 24:17-22 *Some we recognize: ‘widow’, ‘orphan’ *One more group: ‘alien’, ‘foreigner’
>The realities of our world in 2018- >The realities of our world in 2018- *Unprecedented time of global migration 1. 68.5 million displaced; 25.4 refugees 2. Most in; Turkey (3), Pakistan (1.6), Uganda (1.4), Lebanon (1), Iran (1) 3. Some come to US; 84,994 (‘16), 94,837 (‘17), 45,000 (‘18 cap) >God is directly involved, w/ a plan! Acts 17:26
>U. S. model of refugee resettlement in ‘18- >U.S. model of refugee resettlement in ‘18- *9 agencies do a tremendous job w/ care *However, most services end after 90 days *Then, with other newly-arrived foreign-born, refugees left to navigate the best they can
>Welcome Home exists to step in when the professionals finish their initial services- *Trained and vetted volunteers “welcome their new neighbors“ and practice 1 Peter 4:9 *Farooq’s story is made possible! *WH’s invitation, “Expand your circle of friends by one; choose to make them someone who is foreign-born.”