A Home For Refugees
A Home For Refugees
Written By: Rev. Cathy Sweeney
I wasn’t sure we could get it all done.
We had planned for the weekend of April 21-23 to be a possible Refugee Services of Texas (“RST”) weekend, when Arapaho UMC sets up an apartment for a family that arrived in the DFW area.
But it was Monday, April 17, and we still had not been assigned a family. I wasn’t sure we could get it done.
That was my feeling when Arapaho member Kathleen Modine brought in the information about the Syad family of five, who had been assigned to us to help set up their apartment off Northwest Highway. “I don’t know how we’re going to do this,” I told her.
It was silly of me to doubt. Kathleen picked up the phone and coordinated logistics with Andy Allbee, another Arapaho member. Whereas Kathleen is the liaison with RST, Andy manages the logistics around the large furniture storage unit Arapaho maintains to help with move ins. Andy and Kathleen crafted a plan: Andy would call for volunteers to help gather furniture and deliver from the storage unit, and Kathleen would inventory the soft goods we have on hand at the church.
Kathleen finished the soft goods inventory and delivered it to me on Tuesday afternoon. Because we have a list of required items from RST, I was able to post a sign-up genius around 5:30 that night. There were about 50 items still needed. I sent the link to Sunday morning classes and posted on our Facebook Arapaho UMC Missions and Justice Facebook group.
By the time I woke up on Wednesday morning, all but two of the items on the sign-up genius list had been claimed. Spirit led, indeed.
Over the next few days, donations poured in and were organized and delivered to the apartment. Members of the Housing Stability Team including Bob and Becky Douglas, Roger Baily, Virginia Shea, organized to set up the apartment, including making beds, filling the pantry, setting up the kitchen, arranging for a meal, and more.
Working with RST requires at least one skill: the ability to be flexible and adjust to unexpected circumstances. When we arrived at the apartment, we learned the Syads would be living in a one bedroom for a short time. Not sure how that was even possible, with five people in the family. We shifted and looked for bunk beds, finding an inexpensive set online. The Douglas’ picked them up and delivered to the apartment.
By Sunday evening, the apartment looked fresh, clean, and ready to move in.
What a week, fueled by the power of the Spirit. If you’d like to learn more about AUMC’s work with RST and get on the list to help in the future, please contact Pastor Cathy: cathy@arapahoumc.org
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