Refugees: Taking a chance...
One couple's story
by Bob & Julie Lorence
Three and a half years ago during a missions festival at Grace, World Relief Minnesota shared about the plight of refugees from various countries arriving right here in the Twin Cities. Our hearts were moved as we heard their stories of persecution and what they endured before they were allowed to seek refuge and freedom in the US.
Julie:
Call it what you will, but all I signed up for was to drive the refugee family from time to time to appointments, right? This was something I could do and it was so near our church. I can't really say I was "taking a chance" by doing this, but the Lord knew! Those rides turned out to be a real awakening for me to the many needs of our refugee sisters and brothers and their perseverance.
I had no idea of the things we would experience. We were stretched way beyond our comfort levels. However, time after time the Lord soothed our overwhelmed feelings and gave us the time to help. We have been blessed beyond measure, with more refugee friends than we can count... they have so much love to give and have become our extended family.
Who knew that a car ride would lead us to looking beyond our needs and wants, becoming the hands and feet for the Lord, in helping the helpless? We all are given gifts from the Lord to use to honor Him and sometimes He has to show us what those gifts look like.
Bob:
I have to say that at times we have felt like Jehoshaphat in his toils...we too have seen challenges. But this has turned out to be the best part... totally relying on God in every circumstance. If you have a yearning to really see how the Lord uses people, without a doubt your life will be changed. I'm really not sure who is learning more, the Karen families from Burma or me. Being led by the Holy Spirit is not a "chance"... it's our quest.
Ready to take a "next step" with Refugee Life Ministry?
Our partnership with World Relief Minnesota and local churches has grown as more than 30 Grace attenders have "taken a chance," serving in various ways with nearly a dozen refugee families in Roseville. Won't you "take a chance" also? Contact Julie Lorence via e-mail by clicking her name, or by calling 651.633.6479, ext. 225.
To read our Refugee Life Ministry newsletter, click HERE.
