Welcoming the Stranger

by Pam Chao, Associate Director

We continue to learn what it means to be the presence of Christ as we serve among the immigrant community in San Francisco. In this challenging economic downturn, and divisive political climate, many of the family situations we encounter are not problems that any of us can easily fix, much less when our broken systems won’t allow it. We want so much to put our education and resources to work in order to help someone solve their problem. We’re much less inclined to enter into their sufferings. Yet, we have been greatly surprised and blessed when we simply come alongside families to provide company and support so they do not need to feel alone in their trials. Recently I was able to accompany a mom, a victim of domestic violence, to a custody review hearing. I was not able to take away her pain or fix her broken relationship with her ex-husband. What I could offer was to simply receive and extend God’s care, not only for her…or for me…but also for the man who had abused her. I continue to be amazed by how God uses simple acts of joining people in their struggles to bring restoration and transformation into a broken world. Whether it is bringing a meal to someone who is homebound, accompanying someone in court, or speaking out in public hearings for more just and humane policies, God is present. Please join us in prayer as we continue to learn what it means to care for the “strangers in our midst” that they would know the love of Christ through our words and deeds.