Welcoming the Stranger
/I saw a post on the CATC Women's Connection Facebook page about DASH Network, a DFW based organization that advocates for people fleeing the dangers of their home country. The post was asking to be a host home for a mother and daughter seeking asylum for 1-2 years. After gathering more information, I sat down with my husband to talk. Dale and I weighed the possible inconveniences and time demands of welcoming two strangers into our home for such a long period of time.
…it occurred to me that God has not called me to a life of convenience. He has called me to a life of service.
I was involved in a small group Bible study through the book of Romans. That week we were studying Romans 12. "Seek to show hospitality." God continued to show us in the Bible that we were to share the blessings he has given us by "welcoming the stranger." As I prayed and considered what God would have us do, it occurred to me that God has not called me to a life of convenience. He has called me to a life of service.
We decided to proceed with DASH. On August 7th, the mother and daughter joined our home.
Our new friends have been with us for three months, and they are now part of our family. We share meals around our dining room table, praying beforehand together. They join us in worship online every Sunday in our living room. Each week I take the order of service, and I translate (with the help of Google Translate and Bible Gateway) the Bible verses and song lyrics into Spanish. The 14-year-old daughter has joined our Student Ministry in the weekly Alpha Youth Online course, and one of our Life Group members has begun serving as an advocate for the mother (which is a friend and support through DASH Network).
They have shared with us about their dreams and hopes for the future.
We also enjoy learning from each other. We are helping them learn English and about American culture, and we are learning about life in their home country, the serious challenges they faced there, and the hardships they have endured to come to the United States. They have shared with us about their dreams and hopes for the future.
Through this experience, God is exposing my self-centeredness. I can be so possessive of my time, schedule, and personal priorities. He is teaching me to consider someone else's needs first. God is conforming me to the fruit of the Spirit and teaching me the loving way of Jesus. Any inconveniences we have experienced are small in comparison to what God has shown us. We are serving him by loving his children, and we have greatly benefited from new, lifelong friendships.
To learn more about the amazing things DASH Network is doing in DFW and how you can become involved, visit dashnetwork.net.
Story by Debbie Fogle, Covenant Member