New Beginnings

It was nearly 7 and the flight was due to arrive soon. I sat at the airport baggage claim area with a number of my new friends. We were waiting. A family was due to come in that evening from Thailand, arriving as refugees, to the States to make a new beginning with their lives. We heard the flight was to be delayed and so we made a few more hours of small talk. Nervously I fingered my watch, 2.5 hours before I could meet the new arrivals.

I learned much last night. A father and his two daughters came and were soon enveloped into the Karen community. Smiles and wide open eyes that have seen little but a jungle village and refugee camp now beheld the new sights of a large airport. They nervously giggled about the size of the people. They had never before seen fat people. We collected their things- a small rice bag of items for each person. This was their new home and they brought with them their dearest things, their only possessions.

I explained how to get on an escalator so we could get out of the airport. Since they did not speak Thai this was mostly done in charades. They also don’t speak English. I could only imagine the days that are ahead of these dear people. Navigating in our complex society trying to get established, registered for school, paper work completed and find jobs has to feel nearly impossible.

As I drove I-35E north, their noses were pressed against the car window as they saw for the first time the high rising buildings, the traffic, and the lights. Weariness was settling in as we reached their apartment- their new home. Many people had gathered to welcome them with a KaRen meal. They were home.

As I drove away I was impacted with the privilege it was to experience this. I thanked God for the opportunity. I asked him to walk closely with my new friends as they adjusted to the States. That He would be their protector and provider of all that they needed. Then I could hear a whisper in my heart… “I was thirsty and you gave me a drink…, I was hungry and you gave me food, …I was naked and you gave me clothes…”.