Refugees: What They Are, and What They Aren't

My heart breaks for the tragedy that has taken place in Paris. I lift up the victims, their families, and their country. Freedom is a cause worth uniting for, and I intend to do so... but I intend to do so for the sake of humanity, not for the sake of my comfort.

Before the attack on Paris, there was obviously a huge media explosion concerning the Syrian Refugee Crisis, what the world should do, and what we should do. In this there clearly existed two sides of the equation, whether we should let "them" in, or not. The Paris attacks served to fuel the fear that screamed "keep them out." And yes, I am heart broken for France and her people, but I am devastated for the future of refugees in our country, and Syrians everywhere. 

My opinion is that we should welcome the refugees, but I would like to clarify why- why I believe for the sake of our country this is an acceptable and good thing to do. The following will outline a few things that I think are important to know as you decide which side of the debate you land on.


A Refugee IS NOT:
-- An illegal immigrant or undocumented migrant- I desperately hope that everyone that forms an opinion on the refugees coming to the U.S. understands this crucial difference. There has been information released to tell the world that one of the Paris attackers came to Europe on a boat of Syrian migrants. This, however sad and worrisome for countries that are being bombarded with migrants in Europe, has nothing to do with the U.S., or the refugees that would come here. When we say "refugee" in reference to someone that is relocated into the U.S. we are talking a legal refugee of war. Not an undocumented migrant who found solace in a camp or bordering country.

A Refugee IS:
-- On average vetted for 18-24 months before being allowed into the country as a legal refugee of war. A refugee must be able to prove that their lives were in danger, all the stories of their family members must align, and it has to be without question that they applied for the the status because they feared for their lives. Refugees are subject to interviews and or screenings from UNHCR, the State Department, National Counter Terrorism Center, the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, USCIS, and the Department of Defense. They go through health screenings, culture orientation, they are fingerprinted, and if they are Syrian they face a Syrian Enhanced Review. 
--One of few- less then one percent of refugees worldwide are approved for resettlement.
-- A refugee is tired- the majority of refugees stay in a camp for over 7 years. This is of course after they have fled their home country.


I would like to address the fear that some have that terrorists are going to come into the country as a refugee. Considering the above information, it is unrealistic to jump to that conclusion. Our country is obviously at risk for a terrorist activity, but it doesn't make any since for a terrorist to try and get into the country as a refugee- after first waiting in a camp for multiple years, then waiting through 2 years of paper work, to then have no control over where they are relocated in the first place.

I am not saying that its ridiculous to be scared of terrorists. I am suggesting the perhaps becoming a refugee is the least likely way that a terrorist would choose to come into our country. 

Believers, I beg you to keep in mind what Jesus has to say about refugees.

Leviticus 19:33-34

"When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. Your shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord you God."

Proverbs 14:31
"Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him."

Isaiah 25:4
"For you have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat;"

If the Church responded to the refugee crisis by welcoming the sojourners among us, as the Lord commands, the entire world would notice the love of Jesus. This tragedy could turn into a stage for the love of Christ.

If you are a believer and are of the political opinion that refugees should not be allowed into the country, please do not confuse these two things in your communication with non believers. The Lord says take care of them.

So, as you have conversations, as you pray for the world, please remember what Christ has done. The Lord has called us out of fear, to a place where we are free to love. As someone with a compassionate bent I kick back to the idea that the only reason I want to welcome the refugees is because I have a "bleeding heart." That is simply not the case. As an American when you understand the process there is nothing to fear in the refugees in the first place. Finally, as a believer I am called to welcome them because Christ welcomes them, just as He welcomes me.

Because We All Need Friends

This is Joe and some of the students he worked with last year at an afterschool program. The Lord really used that job to help lead us to Clarkston. 

Joe and I were amazingly blessed with the location of our little rental home- and we had no idea when we moved in to Clarkston.  A fellow Clarkston resident even mentioned to us this weekend that we lived in the"missionary corner" of Clarkston, and that's fairly accurate. Some might see this as a bad thing, and I think "Christian bubbles" often have many negatives... but for where Joe and I are in life, our neighborhood feels a little bit like heaven. Some amazing folks, (I'm sure I will be mentioning more down the road) Doug and Karen Guess, moved from a very "well-off" area of Norcross, and are now developing a safe community in Clarkston with new homes that are beautiful, and will hopefully attract people to Clarkston that have the influence to spend their money locally and help boost the economy. Its an amazing idea that we've already seen bless the people that are a part of it. Because Doug and Karen are followers of Christ, many of the people they know that have decided to build in this Clarkston neighborhood, called Carroll Park, are also believers. Conveniently enough for Joe and I, this neighborhood faces our backyard. That means we immediately had access to 5/6 Christian families that were moving towards incarnational ministry, and are highly focused on being awesome neighbors. And praise the Lord, even though we are not actually part of the neighborhood, they have so graciously adopted us into their community.

A couple weeks back Doug and Karen hosted a neighborhood potluck that we got to go to, and the entire night was one of my favorite experiences in Clarkston so far. Young families, empty nesters, singles, us... it was a beautiful group of people brought to a safe place to eat together, just because we all live in the same place... isn't that the way it should be? Shouldn't that be the norm for followers of Christ as opposed to being unique? I mean, I have never lived in an actual neighborhood before- but I've had plenty of neighbors.... some that I knew- and most that I didn't. Why is that?? Every single one of us, Christian, married, single, atheist, moms, dads, kids, rich, poor, LGBT, black, white- whoever- all experience loneliness. All long for human connection, and to know that someone cares. And I think that is one of the reasons why any of us join any kind of group in the first place- its a community to be a part of. A place to belong.

It seems to me the concept of finding "community" in the church has become a buzzword to describe your friends that are Christians regardless of where they live. And please please hear me say- I am not knocking this concept AT ALL. I am just wondering what happened to the importance of geographical community that we see so much in the Bible. When Jesus went anywhere, who was with him? His 12 besties. When Paul went to visit churches, he didn't go alone either. Ruth reflected Christ when she told her mother-in-law, "Where you go, I go." So why don't we see Christian families and friends moving together more often?

Having graduated a couple years ago I hear people say all that time, "Oh, don't you miss it, wasn't is so much easier?" And... yes, certain parts of being in college are just plain easier then post college life. But you know what wasn't easier? Test anxiety. Cleaning the bathrooms at CFA. Having to figure out how in the world to try and be myself. But you know what was way better? Instant access to so many people that I cared about, and that cared for me.

The general view of singles about marriage is that you get to kick it with your best buddy all the time- never alone. Well never alone, doesn't mean never lonely. If you are near marriage or graduation- *HEADS UP*- you will most likely experience loneliness. I pray you don't, but I honestly believe we, as followers of Christ, have a much more active role to play in creating community for ourselves in the geographical sense AND the Family of Christ sense. Cause why not? Look at scripture. It's always better with people around us. If you need some grand adventure and to move off to "establish yourself",...  I challenge you to think through your motives. If it's to prove something to yourself, your parents, your friends, the world.... be careful. Cause there are places in our country, and our world that are amazing. SO much more beautiful and fun then Atlanta. But guess what? Having people to live life with in traffic drowning Atlanta, is better then fulfilling my deep, deep desire to be independent. Every. Day.

So next time you decide to make a move, whether that's literally moving locations, or a new job, or lifestyle... don't do it alone. We aren't designed to be alone. Take some people with you. It will be way way more fun. Looking for a job? Find what community you want to be a part of, and then find your job from there. Whether you move to live next door to a friend, or make friends with the person next door, pay attention to where you are. Think through today. Why did Jesus put you in that house? In that desk? In the job? In the class? In that role? Maybe it's to share the gospel, but also? Maybe it's cause someone needs to share the Gospel with you. And yes, I am talking to you, believers. We need it. Every. Day.


So take a friend. Don't go alone, and then be surprised that you're lonely. You weren't meant to
be alone.


And this takes me to the next part of our evening that night after the Caroll Park Potluck. Joe and I have had the fun experience of becoming friends with a refugee family from Pakistan that came to Clarkston over the summer. And I will spare all of you the details, but they are refugees because they are Christians. And were in very, very real danger staying at home. So they came to here. And you know what? They had to come alone. They didn't get to bring all their friends, or family... they had no other option.

And that's the story of so so many of the refugee families in Clarkston. They are forced to leave their very family/ group oriented communities where they seem to understand what being a real neighbor means in a much more real way then we do in the US, and they are plopped here.... In our "prove something" individualistic society. Alone. And that's why- That's why talking to your neighbor matters. Cause at one point or another you are both going to be lonely. Whether your neighbor is a refugee, someone exactly like you, or someone you have never met. One thing you both have in common is that you need people. Wouldn't you want to have the comfort of knowing the person down the street is there for your good  and not your harm? Do you want them to know that in you as well? Then be the neighbor that knocks on the door. Be the college senior that says, "Hey man, the Lord is leading me to move to (fill in the blank) but I know I can't go alone- what do you think about looking for a church and jobs there?" Be the couple that says, "Hey you know what? We just got married too, want to go on a walk sometime?"  Be the person in Atlanta that says, "Clarkston? Only 15 miles? Yeah, I'll go hang out for the afternoon and teach a family how the grocery store works." Be the women that leaves a note in your neighbors mailbox saying, "Hey you're great, and I'm glad you're in my life" (I'm looking at you, Karen ;)).

The pictures below are of Joe and I with our new friends when we went to their house after the potluck. They have an 18 year old daughter that is so beautiful, and so 18. She loves make-up, dressing up, and taking pictures... and dressing us up to pose us for pictures too. Our time with them was unbelievably fun, and made us feel exceedingly loved. Middle Eastern folks understand blessing better then I do. They made it very clear the we were helping bring blessing from God by being in their home. That the love of the Lord was abounding, and that's why they were happy we were there. Not cause we are something super special... but because of God. They made a cake for us (not part
of their culture), they all ate with silverware for us, they cooked for hours - just to love the Lord through hosting us. We have so much to learn from their reckless love for us as their neighbors... not because they love us- but because they love Jesus.

In summary I would like to say:

Thank you Jesus for protecting Joe and I by literally placing us in a Christian community geographically, as well as with a church we love despite our arrogance in thinking we could do it alone.

Do something fun. Do something adventurous. Take a friend with you.

In order to love people, you have to let yourself need love, and be loved. If you take the role of counselor, dr, judge, or teacher... that's not a friend. That's not love. Love is a two way street.

Love people, because it glorifies Jesus. He loves you so so much.

Stephen Bandela

“You know, I tell every brother in Christ, Christians, Matthew chapter 28, last verses, go into all the world and preach the gospel. Many countries are closed from the gospel. And God is bringing them here to reach them. If you go to some other country you spend more than 5 years to learning the language and the culture. And you won’t get the time to share the gospel by the time your visas may be expired, your vision may be expired, or you don’t like to stay there or some problem. It’s a waste. But here all those steps won’t go away. We can reach them. We have freedom in this country to tell them about Christ.”

“Do any of the refugees ever go back to their original country?”

“Never. Never. Never. They don’t like to go. Their life is horrible. So they don’t like. So, that’s how we are able to do that.”

Stephen Bandela--India--Director of New Home, New Hope

Clarkston Neighbor for 8 years

  --------------------------------------------------------------------

To learn about Stephen Bandela and the work New Hope, New Hope is doing in Clarkston through sewing classes, ESL classes, and listening to their neighbor please visit their website HERE. 

Life in a Mile

Marriage, moving, new jobs, new town. The past month it seems Joe and I have binged change. Within 6 weeks after we got married on June 13th, our life completely changed in ways we had no idea were coming when we said "I do."

Pastors visits, babies everywhere, chai tea, longs walks, lots of coffee, broken English and hand gestures, an amazing farmers market and very cool restaurants. Joe and I are so blessed to have followed through with one of our dreams and we moved to Clarkston,Ga. Clarkston is located in east Atlanta, about a rock throw from Stone Mountain and Decatur. However, just a few miles away from the lazer shows and Eddies Attic lies a completely different world.

Joe and I in front of our new house

Clarkston is the city where most of the refugees in the state live. To put it painfully simple- a refugee is someone that had to run away from their country because it was either unsafe for them to stay there, or they were exiled and not allowed to come back. If a person with the legal status of refugee flies into the Atlanta Airport, the government relocates them to Clarkston. That means people from all over the world, who have felt forced to leave their home for one reason or another have ended up in Clarkston. On any given day there may be over 40 languages represented in the public schools, and in recent years CNN actually referred to Clarkston as the most diverse square mile in the world. Being so close to Atlanta, and knowing there were thousands and thousands of refugees living there, I thought Clarkston would be a little bit more... hurried. On the contrary, as Joe likes to put it- the area feels much more like an Urban Mayberry.

I am also very aware that Clarkston has got to be the easiest place to move ever. The population of Clarkston started to change in the 90's when "they" decided it would be a good place for the refugees to go. Since then, my impression is that there have been a lot of "Clarkston Originals" that have left the area. That means that the current make up of the community is a few originals that stuck it out, loads of refugees from all over the world, and new crew of surprisingly upbeat people that just moved to Clarksotn knowing its weird, and loving it. The walking/ biking game here is strong- so basically, all you have to do to meet people is pretend like you are doing yard work, or go on a walk and you will meet someone.

Joe and I just started working at Perimeter Church as part of their new Residency Program. For us that means we are both working full time with their City Transformation team, and having classes/training one day a week. City transformation is essentially a fancy way of describing all the departments in the church that have to do with outreach in the local community. As this explores the option of getting more involved in Clarkston, Joe and I get to help by meeting people, listening to their stories, and just be learners of our new community. It's a dream job for us, and we have loved it so far.

I would like to address that I am no longer with my beloved students from Good News.... and yes. This is crushing to my heart. My life had become outlandashly unbalanced, and I miss my students, but I love seeing my husband, talking to my friends and family, and sleeping an average amount. "My" students are really the Lords and He is demanding that I trust him with those precious hearts.

Most of the other residents (who work in other departments) have impressive career goals during our time here... my goals on the other hand align more with that of a turtle. I have been running so hard for the past couple years, steel fisted on what I had no control over.

And now I am tired. I am so painfully aware of my weaknesses, and so hungry to learn. So, I have renamed by blog Life In a Mile. Slow down, see my community, walk the trail. Experience all the world has to offer me in this crazy square mile city I now call home. The world is here, literally in my backyard, and I have a lot of listening to do.