Fall 2011 Meeting
“When a foreigner lives with you in your land, don’t take advantage of him. Treat the foreigner the same as a native. Love him like one of your own. Remember that you were once foreigners in Egypt. I am GOD, your God.” Leviticus 19:33
“GOD, your God, is the God of all gods, he’s the Master of all masters, a God immense and powerful and awesome. He doesn’t play favorites, takes no bribes, makes sure orphans and widows are treated fairly, takes loving care of foreigners by seeing that they get food and clothing.” Deuteronomy 10:18
“’Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling you the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me – you did it to me.’”
Matthew 25:38-40
“Dear friend, when you extend hospitality to Christian brothers and sisters, even when they are strangers, you make the faith visible.” 3 John 1:5
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Our work continues. Because of your involvement and your generosity, God’s love is shared with the stranger among us each and every day. We have been with you in your churches. We have had conversations in Food Lion and in Wal-Mart. We know that support for The Rappahannock Baptist Association’s Hispanic Ministry is waning. We did not receive as many school supplies this year and so we had to tell some families that there was not enough. Our food pantry has been low for a while. We only have a few Welcome Bags for workers who will be arriving in the next few weeks for the winter season. We know that the economy is bad and the money doesn’t go as far as we need it to. We know the doubts that are raised by how other states have chosen to address the problems of immigration. We know first hand of the misconceptions that people have about anyone that looks and speaks differently than they do.
BUT, God’s word is crystal clear about the treatment of foreigners. God’s mandate for the church is very specific about ministering to the stranger among us. The only question we have left is, “How is God calling our churches to minister to the Hispanic community in His name?” The hard part is discerning what God is calling you to do to welcome the stranger in our midst. How does God want you to love the immigrants that live next door to you?
This morning I was sitting in the first of a series of training classes that I’m taking to hone my skills as an interpreter. We were going through one of those ‘getting to know you’ exercises. I knew everyone in the class already, so my question became ‘how much MORE do I want them to know about me?’
I finally settled on this: I struggle with despair as I watch what is happening – or not happening – in immigration in our country.
In Christ’s love,
Kenny, Leslie, Hannah, Caleb and Judson Park
