June 25th, South Lake Wales Church of God, Florida
“You’re starting in Paris?” My pastor asked, “I just met a couple who does ministry there, I will try to connect you.“
I had just gotten home the night before from my year of missions work in South America, and Jesus was already laying the groundwork for my second year on the World Race.
Later that week I get an email with the couples information and reach out to them explaining what I would be doing. They tell me they are connected with a man who works with the refugees in Paris. This was exactly what I was looking for, but after not hearing back from them for a couple weeks I didn’t think much of it. Once we got to Paris I reached out again and asked for his contact information. Still I didn’t hear back so we did other things, finding ministry through word of mouth, evangelizing and working with an organization called Eutopia doing relief work with the refugees.
In God’s perfect timing I finally receive an email with a name, Samir.
I quickly write a message telling him I have a team of people in Paris and we want to partner with him in his ministry with the refugees. Before sending it I feel a prompting to add “Please let me know if you feel the spirit speaking to you and would like to work together.”
August 12, @home Church, Paris.
In the midst of his countless projects, Samir feels an idea planted in his heart to open a brand new refugee center at a university. He will have one week to pull it all together and although it seems impossible, he has no doubt God will provide. He decides to go ahead and watches as everything starts falling into place. He is ready to go with supplies, food, beds, shelter, law enforcement, even the refugees have been selected.
However, there is one major thing missing, MANPOWER.
Four days until the refugees will arrive he receives an email from a complete stranger and one thing stands out to him, “if you feel the spirit speaking to you…” He looks at his list and his recent email, he says to himself “I need volunteers, a group of missionaries want work…yes I feel the spirit!” he writes back immediately and just like that God provides.
August 18th, Refugee Camp, Paris (location confidential)
We spent the evening filling the rooms with supplies, setting up appliances and laminating signs. Some prayed over the area, others stocked refrigerators.
Everything surely fell into place, and the refugees were delayed over an hour the next morning, giving us the time we needed to finish. After standing on the grounds praying for safety and the school to be a place filled with the love of Jesus, over 500 refugees were escorted to their new safe place.
Not only was this one of the many #classicjesus stories from this month, it was such a beautiful way to close our chapter in Paris. From walking the streets and meeting refugees, to leading them to safety and second chances was beyond humbling.
It was an incredible experience for sure, but not the point of my story.
I have a confession to make…
I came into this race confident and prideful and excited to continue sharing all of the good things Jesus has done.
I received a humiliating slap in the face by one of the Syrian refugees I met our first week in Paris. After asking him questions about his life and how he got there he suddenly became upset, “I don’t want to talk about this anymore, it makes me sad.“
“Ok“, I say taken by surprise, “we can talk about something else.”
But he continues, his heart clearly heavy and needing to unburden himself.
“You want to know how I am? I’m hungry. I smell bad. I walk down the streets and people know I don’t belong. I want to go in and have a cup of coffee like a normal person, but I don’t even have a dollar for that. I don’t want to go into the city because of the way people stare at me. I’m embarrassed by the way I’m dressed, I don’t have any friends here. I’m alone.”
I look down at my shoes, feeling so ashamed… an imposter, a fake. Here I am, trying to understand and relate but the reality is that I have no clue. Even my backpack of essentials is more than these refugees have. I say I’ve left everything behind?! No.
They have no money, no passport, no clothes, no sleeping bag, they literally have NOTHING.
…and I’m supposed to tell them Jesus loves them? That Jesus sees them?! That everything will be ok because God will take care of them??
NO.
I REFUSE to give them false hope to glorify myself and tell others back home what a good missionary I’m being.
I WILL tell them the truth. That I am sorry, that I am clueless, that it sucks and I have no idea the loss they must feel. That I know when I feel hopeless and fearful, I am confident and at peace with the knowledge that I worship a God who will never leave me nor forsake me, no matter how broken this world becomes.
Because I only have one job here, and it’s not to convert. I am here…
TO. LOVE.
That’s it.
Guys. There are so many misconceptions about refugees that I want to speak against once and for all. These people are:
- INTELLIGENT. Most of them have degrees and can speak multiple languages.
- COURAGEOUS. They have left their homes and everything they’ve ever known behind. They refused to be a part of the war and destruction their government has forced upon them.
- STRONG. They have traveled across land and sea, witnessed some traveling with them die in the process of pursuing a better life.
- CLEAN. They have nothing to their names, not even a toothbrush. But they value good hygiene and do their best to make themselves presentable with the hoses on the streets.
- GENEROUS. They will give you the shirt off their back if you ask…and they don’t have thirty more in their closet. They will share their food with you just to enjoy some laughter for a few minutes.
- HOPEFUL. These men, women and children don’t want to settle for imprisonment. They have dreams and desires for a better life, a free life.
Here’s the thing, they may look different from us… but they aren’t.
We are ALL refugees.
We are ALL broken people looking for a safe place. Searching for family and a home and freedom.
Remember the refugees when you pray… the ones who line the streets of Paris AND those in your neighborhood, those in your workplace, and yes even those in your church.
To learn more and/or give to Samir’s incredible mission and provide relief for the refugees fighting for their freedom click here.
Thank you Samir, @home, church of God ministries and everyone in Paris who has played a part in our month here. We have learned, we have been broken, we have made mistakes, and we have loved harder than ever before.
Em,
So BEAUTIFUL to read how this journey is affecting you in different ways. This was informative for me, who lives in a neiborhood full of refugees. God is working through you even when you don’t feel like it.
Keep saying yes.
Jesus!!!!!
I love this!!! Thank you!! love and prayers!
Thank you for the hard truth. We don’t have a clue who these refugees are – but you have given us valuable, accurate information. Its so tough for us to imagine having Nothing. It really breaks my heart, and I will begin praying for them. Without even using the name of Jesus, they can feel Jesus through you and the team of missionaries you serve with. They can feel the love you have for them. God’s spirit is working for sure! We send our love.
Thanks for sharing. Heart wrenching!
Prayers for all.
You carry a treasure within far greater than anything you own that no one can take away, not even death.
Blessings!
Emily, You are a force to be reckoned with when you allow the Holy Spirit to fill you. I love that you share the truth and challenge us to love through your beautiful example.
SO FREAKING PROUD OF YOU!! Incredibly and beautifully written. I’m tearing up. This story. Your impact. It reaches FAR beyond what you’re seeing. Keep going babe!! You’re an inspiration, and you don’t even know it!
XOXO
Emily,
Your words speak to my heart! I don’t know a thing about refugees. They are God’s children and deserve our love too!! Thank you for reminding me of that important lesson! Keep up the great work!
Love you!
Emily, your vulnerability and transparency and dialogue of your in inner thoughts is absolutely amazing. Thank you for sharing and for pointing out imposter qualities that I have. I love the truth you’re bringing. Keep building kingdom keep changing the world. The spirit is alive In you!
This is so amazing! Thanks for sharing!! Love you!
EM. Gosh that big beautiful heart of yours… thank you for being so honest. And thank you for standing up for those who have no one to stand up for them. I am SO. HONORED. to call you my friend. Love you! Keep goin!! ??????
Keep up the good work! I am proud of you! I am so glad that you know what the important things in life are. My son, Nathan, is working on a cruise ship in that area of the world. Maybe you will run into each other.
This is SO rad ! Great story and written very well, I like the layout.
p.s. love the photos you sent to IYNIP, you should also maybe think about #words or #classicjesus stories. I love and miss you my sweet sister-friend and am so proud of you.
I cried a little reading this. Love on.
This trip has been so different for me. Diving into so much more. Love you Kate and miss you so much and your awesome food schedules/culinary skills.
Thank you so much for your comment Molly. You have such a beautiful heart for people and I love sharing this journey with you.
You are absolutely right!
Awww Darla, thank you so much for your love and support. I can feel your prayers at work.
Wow thank you so much Vinnie. Your words are beyond encouraging for me to hear. I love and miss you dearly.
Thank you so much momma squanda!! Love you!
Ughhhh so many feels. Thank you Hannah, your words are powerful. Keep living like you do, you are missed so much and thought of all the time!
Thank you shkishker. I love you too!
Ahhhhh Chrissy. Thank you thank you thank you. I adore you.
Really?! That’s awesome. Thanks so much Roy, I’ve come a long way from the “brain cell” and my work with the computers haha. Love you!
Hahaha I know I haven’t forgotten!! Coming from the word queen, that is a high compliment. Thank you my dear friend. You are missed every day.
Whhhaatttttt?!?!? Ahhhhh, day made. I love you my dear.
So glad you enjoyed it!!
Emily, I’m your momma’s 1st cousin~ and though we have only met once or twice (you were very little, and we were stationed in Pensacola and came over to visit during a Disney vaca) I have kept up with your journey through your momma’s FB page.
Tony & I are lifting you up in prayer~ and I will share with my prayer warrrior friends & Homegroup.
Your great grandparents, Nana & Poppa Zellefrow would be beyond thrilled with your devotion to the Maker of the universe, and willingness to follow Jesus whereever He leads you! Hugs!
You bless my heart! Love your transparency! Thank you!! These are the memories that will forever be etched in your heart and soul–the Lord will continue to use them in ways beyond your wildest imagination! Prayers!