Commentary : Trying to Do...

Recently, my church, the Community Church of Poway, decided to provide temporary shelter to nine Guatemalan refugees. The refugees, Konjobal Indians from western Guatemala, said they had fled their country to avoid persecution by the guerrilla opposition, who relentlessly pressure them to join their ranks in the ongoing civil war with the government-supported military.

In the last decade there has been a continual flow of refugees from the war-torn countries in Central America. The nine refugees, who now live in our church fellowship hall, are a daily reminder of the ravages of war and of the causes of conflict in our neighboring countries to the south.

Our church responded to an immediate need. The Guatemalans had settled in on the grounds of another local church but had stayed beyond their welcome. Where were they to go? What were they do do? Whose problem was it, anyway?

Impulses of the Gospel of Jesus rang out clearly. Who is my neighbor? Where do we draw the line? In whose name do we casually turn our head the other way and find easy refuge in the usual litany of rationalizations and justifications that abound? Certainly not in the name of Jesus. This neighbor stuff can be tough.

The decision to offer shelter for three months didn’t come without lengthy discussion by our church council. Sincere concerns over the usual “stop” signs of such involvement were expressed; insurance, liability, legal status, work status, health matters and on and on. Yet, after the dust had settled, the heart said yes. Compassion, faith and a sincere desire to help won out.

The following Sunday, the majority of the refugees were in worship with us. They were welcomed and introduced. There was still lingering uncertainty and confusion about what was involved. Clearly, not everybody shared the same enthusiasm and conviction for the decision. Yet, still, there was a general mood of acceptance and, on the part of most, a genuine outpouring of compassion and support. A number of individuals even approached me with words of gratitude for the opportunity to be involved and for the growth and enrichment such involvement would bring.

There is a hunger in many people today to relate to the global situation. Headline stories of refugees fill the newspapers each day. Glasnost and perestroika unlock hope for peace and reconciliation in the hearts of countless millions. The nine Guatemalan refugees in our fellowship hall are a window through which we can begin to see more of the world.

In the nearly four weeks that they have been at the church we have acquired material to educate ourselves about Guatemalans--to learn of their culture, be updated on their “real-life” circumstances, and begin to speak some of their tongue. Classes for them to learn English and become more aware of our ways are planned.

No single individual, church or nation can solve the complex problems that plague our modern world. Refugees are but one reminder of the dimension of those problems. Still, all of us can do something. We’re not robots. We can respond to the needs in our own situation. We can reach out to the poor and disenfranchised whom God sends our way. When Mother Teresa was asked how she handles the awesome burden of the needy of the world, she answered, “one at a time.” We have to start somewhere. And our somewhere is here, right now.

Our church will grow and find renewal through our interaction with our friends from Guatemala. In fact, they will no doubt feed us more than we can ever feed them. Being in solidarity with the poor and the deprived has a way of giving new life and new hope to the human spirit. Perhaps giving, like loving, is God’s way for all of us to find healing and peace.