I am beyond humbled and grateful my friend Katie from Kangacoo.com is here today sharing her heart on the current global refugee crisis. Here is how hope can truly change the world!

Here’s the deal. I’m calling a spade a spade. Syrians need help. The same Syrians who celebrated in the streets on 9/11. The same Syrians who meet regularly to denounce the USA in public forums. The same Syrians who would probably turn their backs if US citizens were the refugees. Our enemy is now under our feet and we have a choice. Stomp on them, or extend our hand.

Fear grips my bleeding heart as I watch mothers carrying their young run from pursuing police through corn fields. Risking everything to get across a border in hope of some sort of future. Any future. Literally running for her life and the life of her children. But there next to her running is her husband. Head of the household. Enforcer of hatred against Americans.

Or maybe he’s just as desperate for hope. Maybe he has no energy left for hatred when all he can do is try to survive. When all he had was devoured in ISIS gunfire and bombing. When the only way to prevent his son from being forced to join ISIS was to flee.

Maybe his hatred can be reformed by hope. Maybe the only way he ever could have heard the truth of the gospel was to be forced from his country. Will we now deny him the opportunity to know Jesus because he lives in sin? Did Jesus not say He came for the sinners in this world?

This refugee tragedy pushes on nerves and stretches faith. Be stretched. It makes you dependent on God. But don’t look away. Look to the Bible. #bethechurch #wewelcomerefugees

“Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,”
Proverbs 24:17

“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.”
Proverbs 25:21

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
Romans 12:14

“Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.”
Colossians 1:21 NIV

What does Jesus have to say about it?
““But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,”
Luke 6:27 NIV

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
Matthew 5:44 NIV

This is why refugees are fleeing their countries in our world. NOT because they are terrorists wanting to get to the US but because they refuse to join the terrorists taking over their own towns.