The Lost Souls of Honduras

In 2001the United States was heavily involved in addressing a humanitarian crisis.  The potential tragedy was created by a Civil War in the African country of Sudan. Thousands of young boys were displaced or orphaned during that war.  Many of them traveled a great distance across Africa to reach refugee camps. The Christian community responded to the plight of the Lost Boys of Sudan. Lutheran Social Service and Catholic Charities were two of the organizations that took part in ministering to the need. Over 3,800 Sudanese were placed in 38 different cities around the U.S.  Local churches took a key role in the process by sponsoring Sudanese Refugees and helping them become oriented to life in America.

I mention the story of the Lost Boys at this time because we are our country is facing another humanitarian crisis, but in this case I am afraid the welcome mat is not out. I am referring to the throng of refugees who are traveling on foot across Mexico. Most of them are fleeing the hostile political environment and the difficult economic situation in Honduras.   This time instead of organizing a response to minister to their basic needs and ultimately a desire for a better life, the goal is to turn them away.  There is a plan in place to send federal troops to the border to prevent them from entering our country.

It leads me to ask the question: What would Jesus do if he were the one meeting them at the border?  I am confident he would welcome them, make sure they were fed and provided with shelter.  That is the kind of Savior he is.  The Gospels are full of examples of his compassion and mercy for those who are lost.   Since the church is called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, I would hope our sense of compassion and charity would compel us to treat the Central American refugees much like the Lost boys of Sudan. I am not suggesting an immediate free pass.  Obviously there is a need to interview each adult and vetting process to weed out the troublemakers.  Once cleared for entry the immigrants would then  the matched with a local church  who would take on the responsibility for getting them integrated into our culture. 

I also see a secondary benefit to organizing a welcoming party.  We are not only sending a message to the world that we are a benevolent nation, but we are showing the teens and young adult around us an example of compassion.  A majority of teens and young adults hold a more open perspective when it comes to immigration.  Millennials and members of Generation Z are often more tolerant of those who  come from different cultures and even belief systems.  Perhaps this is an opportunity to work along-side them to solve a humanitarian crisis and be Jesus in a very broken world.