On April 10, Aung Ko, Nang, Jet and Joli boarded a plane in Malaysia. Catching three flights, this young family would fly half way around the world to flee poverty and danger to find safety in the United States. With Jet just two years old and Joli only 8 months, it took some desperation and courage for these young parents to fly 17 hours to an unknown place called Michigan.
It took some desperation and courage for these young parents to fly 17 hours to an unknown place called Michigan.
The strangers who met them at the Grand Rapids airport held up signs welcoming them with words from an alphabet very different from their own. Weary from the long risky journey, they were whisked off to a small apartment in Grandville—their new home in this strange land.
Last fall, their hosts from Hager Park in Jenison had applied to co-sponsor a refugee family along with Bethany Christian Services. As an act of faith, they had explored and then applied, hoping to make a life-changing difference in the lives of one unknown family. But since our country had made severe cuts in the number of refugee families allowed to come to the U.S., the hosting team wondered if it would ever happen.
But since our country had made severe cuts in the number of refugee families allowed to come to the U.S., the hosting team wondered if it would ever happen.
Then word came from Bethany that a Burmese family of four would be coming to Grand Rapids in just nine days. Could we be ready to host them? In faith that God would provide and that our loving congregation would be his hands and feet, the hosting team said, “YES”! In three days an affordable apartment was secured—near a bus line for their future independence.
But the apartment was not furnished. A list of everything a family with young children would need was put together. An appeal was made to the Hager Park congregation on Sunday. By Wednesday night, the apartment was furnished: a crib, beds, sofa, lamps, a kitchen table, chairs, towels, sheets, pillows, toys and even a “Welcome to Michigan” doormat, were all in place. The cupboard was filled with dishes and utensils and the refrigerator stocked with food. Our guests arrived at the Grand Rapids Airport on Thursday at 7:00 pm. They were shuttled to their new home where loving hands had prepared a tasty Burmese meal.
By Wednesday night, the apartment was furnished.
The next day, with the help of a social worker and a translator from Bethany Christian Services, they signed their lease and immigration documents and began their orientation to their new culture. Doctor appointments were set. English classes were scheduled. Starter money was provided. Transportation was arranged.
How beautiful to see a community of Jesus followers respond so promptly, generously, and enthusiastically. How exciting for our church members to learn from our new friends. But why? Because Jesus said, “I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was naked and you clothed me, I was a stranger and you invited me in. Whatever you did for the least of these my sisters and brothers, you did for me!”
What a holy privilege to be the hands and feet of Jesus!
The Reformed family is a diverse family with a diverse range of opinions. Not all perspectives expressed on the blog represent the official positions of the Christian Reformed Church. Learn more about this blog, Reformed doctrines, and our diversity policy on our About page.
In order to steward ministry shares well, commenting isn’t available on Do Justice itself because we engage with comments and dialogue in other spaces. To comment on this post, please visit the Christian Reformed Centre for Public Dialogue’s Facebook page (for Canada-specific articles) or the Office of Social Justice’s Facebook page. Alternatively, please email us. We want to hear from you!
Read more about our comment policy.