Help Afghanistan REfugees in Rhode Island
RI AFGHANISTAN REFUGEE WELCOME TEAM
God is doing a new thing. Through the Afghanistan refugee crisis, God is bringing the nations to us! To respond to this need, we created the Afghanistan Refugee Welcome Team. This team of passionate volunteers helps Afghanistan refugees in Rhode Island as they adjust to resettlement in America, and to do it with the love and compassion of Jesus.
God’s Heart For Refugees
We want to share God’s heart for refugees. The Scriptures give us a clear picture of God’s care and concern for foreigners and refugees. In the Old Testament, God instructs the nation of Israel not to oppress the foreigner (Exodus 23:9), but instead to love the sojourner among them as they love themselves, because they were once strangers in Egypt (Leviticus 19:34).
In the New Testament, Jesus and his family lived as sojourners in Egypt when they fled King Herod’s persecution (Matthew 2:13–23). Since Jesus himself can identify with being impoverished and displaced, we can be sure that he cares about and understands the struggles of Afghanistan refugees in Rhode Island.
The Resettlement Struggles of Afghanistan Refugees in Rhode Island
Resettlement in Rhode Island presents a number of challenges for the Afghanistan refugee and their family.
In addition to the stresses of learning a new language and culture, the Afghanistan refugee in Rhode Island must navigate the difficulty of finding a means to support themselves and their families. As many of us know, this can be challenging even for those of us who already know the language and culture! Additionally, after leaving family and friends behind in Afghanistan, refugees resettling in Rhode Island have a deep need for love, connection, and friendship.
About Our Afghanistan Refugee Welcome Team
If you share God’s heart for refugees and want to be on the frontlines of helping Afghanistan refugees in Rhode Island with their resettlement, you’re in the right place. Our Welcome Team is working personally with a small number of Afghan individuals, couples and families in Rhode Island. Opportunities are unfolding organically as needs arrive.
One of the primary ways to minister to Afghan refugees in the US is through relationship. We are building Christ-centered relationships and sharing life with our new Afghan friends.
Sometimes this looks like a ride to work, or a trip to the laundromat or grocery store. Other times, it is inviting our Afghan friends over to share a meal, watch a movie, or participate in a family holiday. There might be a language barrier, but we both understand the language of love! If this type of service speaks to your heart, please reach out to us!
Welcome Team Events: Sharing the Love of Christ in Community
Another way we are welcoming our new Afghan neighbors to Rhode Island is by hosting special events where they can find connection and experience the love of Christ.
This past year we hosted a Afghan-American Thanksgiving Banquet in concert with Renaissance Church in Providence, distributed Christmas gifts to Afghan families, and held an Afghan picnic at Colt State Park in Bristol, RI.
We are open to new ideas for events that will bless the Afghanistan refugee community in RI! If you or your church is interested in partnering with Cornerstone to help host an Afghanistan refugee welcome event in Rhode Island, please contact us!
HOW TO HELP Afghanistan REFUGEES IN RI
PRAY
One of the best ways to help an Afghanistan refugee in Rhode Island without money is to pray. Learn more about how you can partner with us in prayer for the Afghanistan refugee population, here in the United States and overseas.
SERVE
Opportunities to help Afghanistan refugees in Rhode Island are unfolding organically. We are looking for dedicated individuals interested in loving the Afghan people and helping them adapt to their new life in Rhode Island.
GIVE
If you don’t have time to invest in helping refugees from Afghanistan in Rhode Island, consider giving. Your gift will be used to help with refugees’ practical needs as they arise, and with activities and events that help them adapt to life in the US.
Be A Voice for Refugees in RI
In addition to prayer, service, and giving, you can also help Afghanistan refugees in Rhode Island by being a voice for them.
The challenges of adjusting to a new life in a foreign country are daunting and overwhelming. It can be hard for refugees to ask for help, even when they are struggling. You can help Afghanistan refugees in RI by educating others about the struggles they face as they rebuild their lives in the United States. Share the ways that they can help support Afghanistan refugees in Rhode Island through their prayer, generosity or service.
Want to Help Afghan Refugees?