The Slow Work of Peacemaking

This week, we sat with “Mo” (not his real name) from Afghanistan and drank tea.

We called the DMV and his daughter’s doctor about her blood test results. We also discussed the tragic event that recently occurred in Washington, DC.

For over a decade now, we’ve seen families face despair, frustration, and turmoil after arriving in the US, with many of their hopes and expectations up in the air as they struggle to adjust. We can't undo the global conflicts behind the ongoing refugee crisis, but we can respond with compassion and loyalty to God's Kingdom ethic in our daily actions toward others.

After arriving in the U.S., the man behind last week’s atrocity struggled with mental health, including PTSD from military service. He couldn’t keep steady work, isolated himself, made impulsive long trips, and often stayed in a dark room alone, showing signs of suicidality and despair.

It seems like he had lost hope.

You can’t sit alone in the dark when a guest comes to drink tea and share life together.

These are the families we walk with, sharing God’s love and reminding them they’re not alone. We believe our presence in their lives is making a difference.

Please pray with us during this difficult time as we continue to serve these families and others displaced