God, the Eternal Creator, weeps for the poor, displaces, mistreated, and diseased of the world because of their unnecessary suffering. Such conditions are not God’s will. Open your ears to hear the pleading of mothers and fathers in all nations who desperately seek a future of hope for their children. Do not turn away from them. For in their welfare resides your welfare.
[Adapted from Joey Williams, “Hospitality with Refugees,” 2024, in Extra Shot—Project Zion podcast]
I was working in London with a group of Congolese refugees and several other groups across Europe. On March 20, 2020, I returned to the United States to get my visa to move from England to Brussels. And then, all of a sudden, the pandemic shut everything down.
I was really frustrated because I wanted to be in Europe doing the work I was supposed to be doing. I tried doing everything online, but most of our refugee communities don’t have access to the internet or can’t afford to pay for it. So here I was, no longer working in Europe. I’m now the hospitality guy here at the Temple.
One day I got an email on the tours email address from a gentleman who said his name was Eddie and he was part of the Salvation Choir, a group of young refugees from the Congo. He shared that they were looking for gloves and coats. I directed him toward a local congregation, but my mind just kept spinning on this. It just seemed so strange. I worked with a Congolese group in Europe. I thought maybe there was some connection.
So I emailed Eddie back and asked him to share more about this young choir he was working with. Eddie shared that they met at a church on the Independence square. I really wanted to hear more so we met up at the coffee house. I learned Eddie was a 23 years old and lived just a few blocks from the Independence Temple. He said he had come by the Temple several times, but it was always locked. I invited him to stop by for a tour.
The first time he visits, he brings four of his friends with him. They are all wearing socks and sandals with long shorts. It’s the middle of winter. A few days later he asked if he could come by again and bring some more people who were leaders with his group. One night Eddie messaged me at 10:30 and asked if he could bring his family by. “Sure, come on up,” I said. At 11:30, I meet them up at the Temple. I’m walking them around, and we get to the entrance of the worshiper’s path. We’re right there in front of the burning bush, and I mention that I worked with a group of Congolese refugees in London. Eddie mentions that he would love to go to Europe because he has family there, and he shows me a picture of his aunt. I then hold up a picture that shows me in his aunt’s home. A full circle moment. I could no longer ignore what was going on. The ways that God gives us direction about where we’re supposed to go or a road we might take.
On the subway system in London, a voice on the speaker system says, “Mind the gap,” because there’s a gap as you step into the subway. If you don’t mind the gap, you’re going to fall. When people are seeking wholeness, there’s this gap sometimes in their lives. We’re there to mind that gap to help people get from where they are to where they hope to go. It’s not a bridge that leads to Community of Christ. It’s Community of Christ that holds together that gap.
Prayer Phrase
“Love does no wrong to a neighbor…” (Romans 13:10).
Generosity in Action
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Today’s Prayer for Peace
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