It is commonly said that refugee resettlement simultaneously exposes the greatest attributes and worst shortcomings of America. Alyssa and I get to see this everyday as we head to the other side of the tracks into South King County to work at World Relief Seattle. In the process, we also get to meet some of the coolest people on the planet.
They have access to food, education for their children, the opportunity to pursue any job they can find. They are promised that they will be protected by the law, that no one should be able to terrorize them for who they are. Refugees should be safe here.
Yet, for so many of them, this country is not what it should be. There are big gaping holes in our social safety net, there is often little opportunity for the poor to change their circumstances, our edict of independence and individualism often feels like one of isolation and ignorance, the quality of education our children receive is dependent on the wealth of our zip codes, our most affordable neighborhoods can be riddled with violence and bed bugs.
The diversity, challenges, and hope keep drawing us in. Our internships at World Relief have become full-time jobs, and many of our refugee clients have become dear friends. David and I often get a call from a Bhutanese family at 9:30am letting us know that lunch is ready, and we arrive two hours later to fill up with conversation and platefuls of rice and daal. A twelve-year old Congolese boy plays a hip-hop song from his CD and dances for us in his living room. A mother of four shows me bruises from an abusive husband, and as I lament with her she asks me to stay so that she can serve me dinner. These relationships challenge our notions of hospitality and joy amidst fear of the unknown. We walk alongside refugees in their journey of vulnerability and courage, learning along the way that they are strong, capable human beings that God has filled with resilience.
David and Alyssa Van Hofwegen
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