Today I’m giving thanks for the amazing generosity of a summer project team at Grace Bible Church who bought this great minivan for an Afghan refugee whose family desperately needed reliable transportation. They escaped their country right before the Taliban took over and began violently persecuting their community. Now settled in Houston, they needed a large vehicle that would not only facilitate employment but also get their five children to vital medical appointments, including one who suffers serious illness. Unfortunately, OnRamp is not yet large enough to serve clients in Houston (we hope to soon!!), meaning we couldn’t purchase this vehicle for this family. But the Grace team could! They personally raised $9000, and OnRamp got to use our expertise and connections to find a great vehicle, get it fully repaired and ready, and donate it to this precious family. Zack Nigliazzo and his team are exactly what it looks like to put Jesus’ love into action!
Now for a personal plea. Many of us respond to tragic world news like the fall of Afghanistan with either anger or apathy. Anger about what could have or should have been done differently. Or apathy at the realization that we will never end all of the violence and suffering in this world. But here’s the truth: neither our anger nor our apathy are helpful to a struggling family like this. My personal opinions about foreign policy and immigration reform don’t do jack for them when their son has an emergency and needs to be rushed to the hospital. You know what does make a difference? My money and my time spent in prayer and service to this particular family God has brought into my path. And the same is true for you. If you aren’t a journalist or politician or professional in world affairs and yet find yourself reading or watching or discussing or worrying about world news often throughout the day, you are wasting valuable time that could be better spent actually finding and serving specific people God has brought to our state who need our help. Remember, the Good Samaritan was not “good” because of his political views or public statements regarding law enforcement policy in the Judean wilderness… he was “good” because he sacrificed to help the particular person in need in front of him. There are thousands of refugees in Texas who need our help. There are tens of thousands of immigrants who need our help. And there are hundreds of thousands of poor children and adults in Texas who need our help (21% of Texas children live below the poverty line, and 20% of our fellow citizens in Brazos County do, too!) So turn off the news and call up your church, a charity, or a refugee agency and find someone who needs your help. We have work to do. Fortunately for us, it is the most joyful work you will find.
Client and advocate names and pictures ommitted for security. Special thanks to Christian Brothers Automotive and Discount Tire who repaired the vehicle and replaced all the tires at a great discount. Thankful to the elders, staff, and leadership of Grace Bible Church who trumpet sacrificial service. Thankful to Keith Cole and Stacy Catherine Cole who developed my heart for refugees.