By Nell Green
“Where do we go from here?” The question filled our minds with seemingly no solution. Zachary* and Maryam* were safe in New Zealand. We were helping Bernard* secure a visa in Islamabad. He was relatively safe for the time being.
We had all we needed to set up an apartment for a family of four. Generous donors had purchased everything on our Amazon wish list. It was Friday. Zachary and Maryam had arrived at the first layover as they traveled to New Zealand. Though we rejoiced at the picture of their smiling faces at the airport, we couldn’t help but wonder “What is next?” “What do we do with all we have collected to set up this precious family?” Surely God would not let this go to waste?
Just minutes later, we began getting messages on WhatsApp from partners. We learned that not only the United States Refugee Admissions Program would be terminated, but refugees holding Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) would be denied entry beginning the following week. Where do we go? Who do we call? How do we help?
A few minutes later, I was connected with a non-profit attempting to help as many SIV holders as possible to enter over the weekend. SIV holders are refugees who worked for the American military in Afghanistan. They were targeted for retribution by the Taliban because of their collaboration. Many were able to flee and were waiting in other countries to be repatriated to the United States.
I quickly filled out a form online to inform the non-profit we would be available to help. A response came in less than 10 minutes! Would we be able to receive a family of four who had been waiting in Germany to come to the U.S.?
Certainly! The big surprise? They would arrive the next day!
It was all hands-on deck as we ran around the next day securing a hotel room, lining up meals, beginning an apartment search, etc. It was stressful and fulfilling all at the same time. Nothing would go to waste! We were ready.
As we greeted Zeke*, Sarah* and daughters, Germaine* and Bernadette* at the airport, their eyes were wide like saucers with surprise. About eight of us had gathered to greet them with welcome signs. Zeke looked around him and said, “I never expected this! This is like in my country when all the family comes to greet your arrival at the airport! Thank you!”
It has been a whirlwind since their arrival. We celebrated an iftar with them and their family, who had traveled down from Virginia to see them. Sarah’s brother thanked us over and over again for helping them. He explained that when he arrived two years earlier, he had no help. In a few days, we had them set up in an apartment, enrolled in school, bank account opened, driver’s license secured, initial paperwork for benefits, etc. He said, “I know Americans! I know you are kind and good. It was the best thing for me to work for the American Military. Thank you for helping us!” I responded with the phrase I use frequently, “Truly, it is our joy!”
“Oh God, that we would all experience your joy as we Welcome the Stranger. Amen”
Reverend Nell Green is Emeritus Field Personnel with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Co-Founder and Director of the non-profit organization, The Off Ramp.
*Names are changed for security and privacy purposes.