This week is Refugee Week. Our thoughts this week are written by refugees and those who care deeply about their plight.
Monday June 15th: A thought from Kelsang Ihamo
Unity in Diversity
United Kingdom is undoubtedly a world class country and one of the key components that truly makes UK a world class is the citizens of this country. Being a leading proponent and defender of human rights, UK has graciously welcomed vulnerable people from every part of the world. Ultimately it is this diverse human resource that makes this country a “GREAT COUNTRY”. On this Refugee Week 2020 I would like to thank this great country for accepting me under its protection and care. I am thankful to almighty for taking me to the house of God “The Longsight Church Community”, I am honestly grateful for all the love and care I received from the church and its family members.
Being from Tibet and a follower of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, I think I can help in spreading the message of love, compassion and non-violence in this country. It is love and compassion that the world needs at this time of fear and anger.
Tuesday June 16th: A thought from Ali, Integration Officer, Welcome Churches
‘Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favour in the eyes of the prison warder.’ (Genesis 39: 20-21)
It was life-changing to be a servant in a powerful house one moment, and a moment later a prisoner in the deadliest place. How rapidly things have changed today and we can’t do anything about it. People have lost their loved ones and income; the economy of the country has shrunk due to Coronavirus. We even didn’t imagine these types of impact in our lives, but they have happened unexpectedly as what happened to Joseph was also unexpected. Joseph was still strong in his faith and the time in prison brought him more gifts and blessings as he continued to sharpen his faith and stood firm before God.
Wednesday June 17th: A thought from Modesta Moyo
Some good things have come out of this hard time during Covid19 lockdown:
I’m enjoying the good communication between us all. Amen. Receiving the daily Thought for the Day and weekly bulletin, being part of a Housegroup WhatsApp Group where we check up on each other day by. This has been such a precious demonstration of love in action. We can share our good news, like pictures of Jethro, and share our prayer concerns.
But some things have been really difficult because I’ve been on the front line as a care-worker, encouraging the service users towards independence with their personal care, making meals, keeping their room tidy. I have to wear PPE mask, apron and gloves. 5 service users have been in intensive care with Corona Virus. Four of them recovered.
But I am managing to go to work because of the support of my Church family and their help keeping in touch with my granddaughter who lives with me. I’m so looking forward to our Church being open again.
Thursday June 18th: A thought from Yohannes Aberham
I am an Orthodox Christian from Eritrea. It is the most important part of my identity. We are good at depending on God and praying. We all pray in our different ways but there is One God who hears us. My Bible tells me that I have to help homeless people to show my faith. I have experienced this helping kind of faith through Inspire Church, Inspire Community Centre and the Graystones- even their little granddaughter!
When I have my papers, eventually, I know I will serve the homeless.
Friday June 19th: A thought from Ian Raza
We hear the word ‘Refugee’ on the social media a lot these days, but many people don’t understand who refugees are? And what they go through! Asylum-seekers and refugees are both immigrants who seek legal immigrant status due to violence or unsafe conditions in their home country. It is important to understand when we mean when we say ‘Refugee’ and learns more about the Dilemma of refugees.
Everyone knows refugees had to immigrate and left all their assets, land and family behind for the sake of their safety. ‘I am a refugee’. Many people ask me why I immigrated and I answer because of security. They might think that I am coward. They may feel sorry for me. Only people who have immigrated and left their homelands can understand these things.
“The foreigners residing among you must be treated as native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord you God.” (Leviticus 19:34)
Saturday June 20th: A thought from Rola Alzuriqi
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
As God is unlike humans, the lord loves us whether we are right or wrong, God gives us love all the time. Jesus loved people others rejected-even people who rejected him. This is how God loves us.
God has a way of keeping me humble when I get too pleased. There have been times in my life that the pain I felt was such that in my heart I know God carried me through, because I did not have the strength to get through the pain alone.