Every year, June 20th is a day set aside to remember the millions of refugees and displaced people in our world. But it’s not just a day to remember – it’s also a day to think about what we can collectively and individually do about the refugee crisis. So in today’s post I want to … Continue reading World Refugee Day – #withrefugees
I thought it would be helpful to compile resources here for those of you who are looking to know more about resettlement and how the refugee process works. The resources are a mixture of those found in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand. Refugee Information: Federal Office of Refugee Resettlement … Continue reading Refugees: Facts & Resources
Good morning! After an incredible weekend with my people at Families in Global Transition, I am sending you to a podcast that Anita Lustrea did with me last week. We talked about Pakistan, refugees, fear, politics, and how America needs a spanking. I would love to have you take a listen and let me know … Continue reading Podcast -On Refugees, Fear, and Politics
All the world stopped for twenty four hours as Boston and the surrounding area went through what is now the famous “Blizzard of 2015.” Yesterday, as I sat in complete comfort with sun pouring through my windows, able to work from home, I began to pray for refugees. These are prayers I pray all the time; … Continue reading Prayers for Refugees and Loving my Neighbor
A struggle that many refugees, and those of us who have lived in various places around the world, have is to find grocery stores where the produce or goods that can create the tastes we are familiar with are available? “No cilantro?” we wail at the confused store worker, who happens to be stacking cold storage … Continue reading New Roots for Refugees
Eight years ago my oldest daughter and I watched three movies in three nights. The first was a documentary called Central Park Five. The second was Fruitvale Station, and the third was 12 Years a Slave. Thus began my journey into what I didn’t know and what I still need to learn about race in … Continue reading A Necessary Burden
I woke up to a cold house. Shivering despite being in a warm robe, I knew something was wrong. The temperature gauge showed a cold 58 and lowering. No heat came from the vents. The furnace was clearly not functioning. “Could one more thing go wrong?” I thought. Which, of course, is a foolish thought. … Continue reading The Rhythm of Grace
This morning I slowly opened my eyes to bright sunlight. As I lay in bed, still sleepy, I reflected back on the last few days and on Thanksgiving, just hours before. A dear friend arrived on Tuesday from Ghana to stay with us. The first time she ever came to the United States was as … Continue reading Sacred Meals and Invitations
Around eleven o’clock every morning, Barzan would look through the door of my office and say “Come! Let’s have cappuccino!” I would look up at him and respond enthusiastically “Yes!” Five minutes later I would find myself seated at a chair by his desk, stirring a cup of instant cappuccino made in Turkey and readily … Continue reading Cappuccino with Barzan: Friendship and Betrayal in Kurdistan
It’s a rainy fall day here in Boston. The bells at the church across the street just chimed five times, telling me it’s almost evening. I woke up restless and sad, a soul in chaos. The gloom outside found its way inside and I struggled to find a rhythm. The news has not helped. As … Continue reading When Your Soul is in Chaos, Chop Vegetables!
“you have to understand, that no one puts their children in a boat unless the water is safer than the land” “Home,” by Warsan Shire In the past few years I have had the privilege of meeting and hearing stories from many refugees and displaced people in different parts of the world. From the Sindh … Continue reading #WorldRefugeeDay 2018
Updated – June 15,2018 – A doctor observing says she has never seen anything like it – a toddler pounding her fists on the ground, inconsolable with longing for a mom from who she was separated. Breastfeeding infants, screaming in emotional and physical pain. God have mercy on the souls of those who sanctioned this; … Continue reading #FamiliesBelongTogether
Oh God of the displaced and exiled, Hear the prayers of those in limbo. Wipe the tears of mothers who parent children without a home. Feed those who are hungry; keep safe those who are in danger. Give strength to the helpers and the healers; to those who work tirelessly for justice. Give us the … Continue reading God of the Displaced and Exiled
“The perseverance of small, powerless drops of water dripping on the same rock, in the same place, ends by breaking the rock. In the same way, the power of faith with perseverance can break walls of hatred, of rejection, and of violent injustice.”* The book sits on our book shelf, old and dusty with pages … Continue reading Palestinian Christians and a Prayer for Healed Eyesight
There come’s a time in the lives of most adult third culture kids, many expats, as well as immigrants and refugees when they want to go ‘home.’ Sometimes it’s after a short time of living away; other times it’s after years, but always it comes with a sense of great anticipation coupled with a strong … Continue reading So, You Want to go Back ‘Home’?
Articles A Life Overseas Articles – a cross cultural conversation Plough Publications “Our Wasted Days are the Days we Never Laugh” and Other Lessons from Shithole Countries Repenting for Healthcare Inequality Feasting in Kurdistan Grieving Alone, Together – Bearing Witness in Isolation Plough Publications Author Page Fathom Magazine “Cradle to Grave: The Journey of … Continue reading Writing
Every year I write about International Women’s Day – the day set aside to honor women, to highlight the critical role they play in all of life. From nurturing life at its earliest stages to nurturing families, communities, and countries, women are critical to human survival. Not only do women change the world within homes … Continue reading International Women’s Day 2018
“Third culture kids, immigrants, refugees, foreigners.” “We find each other in unlikely spaces. In the shared experience of other, we find belonging and rest, whether in a short ride to an airport or a long-distance phone conversation. These moments of connection seem to come at the right time, sustaining us until the next encounter, preventing us from … Continue reading No Better Place Than This…
