Yes, we have to be smart about who comes into our country. And yes, we should do background checks and take necessary precautionary measures to keep our nation strong and protected. But we can not and should not rob families of hope for a better future. It's only by God's providence that American citizens are living in the States & have the privileges we do. We do not pick the family we are born into. Of course if you lived in another country where you were persecuted, poor, or lived in an unsafe area, you would want a better life, too. And you would probably do whatever you could to save your family.
That's what these people are doing. They are not here illegally. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Tulsa are helping these sweet families and local families help sponsor them so they are not taking money away from education or from our State as so many people think. Put yourself in their position. Educate yourself and stop the hate.
Kenzie wrote the following last night after reading a lot of the hateful comments on the Fox 23 live facebook video. I think she's got a lot of wisdom that adults could definitely gleam from...
"Tonight I had the privilege of welcoming Burmese refugees who had been waiting approval to immigrate to our country. Let me tell you, it was beautiful. In our society today we put labels on immigrants saying that all come to destroy America. Not all come with that intention! The two families that were welcomed tonight had been fleeing persecution! They had to wait for months and months to be approved to come here.
These are the stories we need to hear. These are the people that need opportunities. Yes, there are bad foreigners, but there are good foreigners as well. Love has come down for all. The orphaned, the widowed, the impoverished, the persecuted, the marginalized. Jesus died for every soul on this earth and everyone needs Him. America supports freedom of religion and these refugees had been denied of that. Just as these amazing people have new opportunities at life in the land of the free and the home of the brave, they are now free to worship their Creator! America was built on refugees who craved freedom. Yes there are exceptions to who we let in, but many refugees want to come to America because of persecution. This is what our founding fathers came for. Why should it be different for those now?
I also posted this to remind everyone that not all live in a nation that can do whatever they want. Some are trapped, threatened, and forced to do things they don't want to do. So I post this to say please be thankful that you live here. Most of you are not being murdered or persecuted for the way you live or your lifestyle. So be grateful and show love because you can.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always PERSEVERES." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 @ Tulsa International Airport
If you would like to learn more about refugees coming into our country & how we can support them, please check out these resources...
Ali is 13 years old and a child refugee from Syria. He and his family were forced to flee from their homeland by the violence and bombings of the civil war. Now Ali lives in a tented settlement in Lebanon. (Video by WorldVision)
That's what these people are doing. They are not here illegally. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Tulsa are helping these sweet families and local families help sponsor them so they are not taking money away from education or from our State as so many people think. Put yourself in their position. Educate yourself and stop the hate.
Kenzie wrote the following last night after reading a lot of the hateful comments on the Fox 23 live facebook video. I think she's got a lot of wisdom that adults could definitely gleam from...
"Tonight I had the privilege of welcoming Burmese refugees who had been waiting approval to immigrate to our country. Let me tell you, it was beautiful. In our society today we put labels on immigrants saying that all come to destroy America. Not all come with that intention! The two families that were welcomed tonight had been fleeing persecution! They had to wait for months and months to be approved to come here.
These are the stories we need to hear. These are the people that need opportunities. Yes, there are bad foreigners, but there are good foreigners as well. Love has come down for all. The orphaned, the widowed, the impoverished, the persecuted, the marginalized. Jesus died for every soul on this earth and everyone needs Him. America supports freedom of religion and these refugees had been denied of that. Just as these amazing people have new opportunities at life in the land of the free and the home of the brave, they are now free to worship their Creator! America was built on refugees who craved freedom. Yes there are exceptions to who we let in, but many refugees want to come to America because of persecution. This is what our founding fathers came for. Why should it be different for those now?
I also posted this to remind everyone that not all live in a nation that can do whatever they want. Some are trapped, threatened, and forced to do things they don't want to do. So I post this to say please be thankful that you live here. Most of you are not being murdered or persecuted for the way you live or your lifestyle. So be grateful and show love because you can.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always PERSEVERES." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 @ Tulsa International Airport
If you would like to learn more about refugees coming into our country & how we can support them, please check out these resources...
ARTICLES:
CONFERENCES/AWARENESS OPPORTUNITIES:
ORGANIZATIONS:
PODCASTS/SERMONS:
An Immigrant's Courage by Tim Keller
Ann Voskamp on the Chasing Justice Podcast
Chasing Justice
Doing Justice by Tim Keller
Q Podcast
Think Orphan
VIDEOS:
An Immigrant's Courage by Tim Keller
Ann Voskamp on the Chasing Justice Podcast
Chasing Justice
Doing Justice by Tim Keller
Q Podcast
Think Orphan
VIDEOS:
Ali is 13 years old and a child refugee from Syria. He and his family were forced to flee from their homeland by the violence and bombings of the civil war. Now Ali lives in a tented settlement in Lebanon. (Video by WorldVision)
