Practical Hospitality

Later this week a Belleville resident who emigrated from Syria forty years ago will translate as we attempt to phone the Syrian family of five which will be sponsored by local United Churches. The family is still living in a refugee camp in Lebanon, but they have a cell phone, so we will try to make the call to establish contact, ask some practical preparatory questions, and encourage them that we will be ready for their arrival.

Our collaborative efforts are coming together, and we pray that their transition will be expedited by government officials in Lebanon and Canada. The family of fifteen --FIFTEEN!-- sponsored by a coalition of groups including churches in Prince Edward County arrived this past Friday, so it could be soon. Here is a prayer by Lynne Hybels, shared by Brian McLaren, which invites us to hospitality in Christ's name.

 God, what is mine to do? None of us can do everything, but we can all do something — big or small, according to what we’ve been given. And if we all do something, we can change the stories being lived out across deserts and oceans, at country borders and in the hearts of men, women and children just like us.

More than borders, I think it’s been hearts that have been closed to the suffering masses seeking refuge. But a photograph of one small child opened a crack in millions of uninformed or hardened hearts. As one who believes that we are all part of the same human family, I pray that the gates of our hearts will continue to open — like never before.

This is real folks! The photo above is of refugees arriving in Montreal. We will pick up our family in Ottawa. We need your support financially, and in all the other heartfelt ways.

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