“Please help me get my laundry done.” The message on my Whatsapp dinged, and I looked at my calendar. Could I get my friend’s laundry done this week? There was an advocacy event also happening, and my schedule was tight. But as I contemplated what was the best use of my time, it felt like putting my washer and dryer through the paces would best show love to my friend. If I was to ask her what she’d prefer, I’m confident that getting clean clothes and household linens would be more important to her than government officials hearing my views on policy.
Now don’t get me wrong – advocacy is SO important. We need to make our voices heard for justice and mercy. We need to advocate for the legal pathways by which our friends came to America to stay open and for these sweet families not to be penalized when they did everything the right way. But I think too often, Americans engage in protests or advocacy and that’s all. The refugee community needs more. They need friends to show up to their house. To be a supportive presence. To help with things like laundry when the machine is out of service.
“If you are a North American Christian, the reality of our society’s vast wealth presents you with an enormous responsibility, for throughout the Scriptures God’s people are commanded to show compassion to the poor. In fact, doing so is simply part of our job description as followers of Jesus Christ (Matt. 25:31–46).” – Steve Corbett, When Helping Hurts
Here are three ideas to go beyond advocacy in taking action:
- Help a refugee woman practice English. Recently, an Afghan family said of a visit, “The fact that Americans would come to visit us still, even when it feels like noone likes Afghans, this means so much.” I’ve heard from many Afghan families that they feel hated by Americans. If all they hear is the news, that’s a pretty fair assumption. That’s why our refugee sisters need an actual friend to come visit them, to show them they are loved. Could that be you?
- Keep packing those food bags. Food stamps and employment authorization are now on tenuous footing, and many refugee families are facing difficult choices as they try to pay rent, buy food, fill the gas tank and keep a job – all while trying to prepare for potential refugee status reinterviews. By providing culturally appropriate food bags or Wal-mart gift cards, you can ease some of the financial stress on these families.
- Volunteer for practical help. Maybe it is laundry. Driving lessons. Computer tutoring. Math homework. Rides to doctor appointments. Baby showers. Nonprofit programs like ours are stretched thin as we respond to ever growing requests for help. Find a refugee serving nonprofit in your area and ask for ways you can meet practical needs. Don’t come with an agenda – sometimes I get calls where potential volunteers tell me what they want to do and expect me to find a way to make whatever that is happen. This sort of demand just adds to my workload. Instead, know your strengths and time availability, and ask if there are any ways those could help refugee families. THIS is the type of volunteer request I love to get.
The laundry got done and delivered. As I emptied the last load out of the dryer, I was reminded of how much I take for granted, how easy it is for me to do my family’s laundry each day. To give several hours of washing & drying time to my friend’s needs was not a problem, though it required a rearrangement of my schedule. It saved her a difficult trip to the laundrymat with little ones, it saved money as she didn’t have to pay for the machines, and and it saved hours waiting on plastic chairs for her clothes to be cleaned.
One volunteer helped a student plant a balcony garden, and walked alongside her as she dealt with her infant’s disability. Another gave a young mom a ride to a clothing closet so she could get needed items for her kids. Another provided temporary housing for a mom facing domestic violence. All of these volunteers were obeying the command of Jesus to “Welcome the stranger.” THIS is radical living, counter-culture living. This is a way of showing solidarity through love.
Advocacy isn’t just a protest sign. It’s sitting on the floor of a refugee friend’s house and drinking tea and providing support. It’s connecting someone with legal help or a job opportunity. It’s love in action. What can you do to show families in your community that you care? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.