Jonathan House is a program at the heart of our work in the increasingly complex context of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Through it we provide shelter, hope, and healing to people who have been forced to flee their homes. Each person is lawfully present in the U.S. and working on an asylum claim. But this does not mean that they are safe. It is no surprise that the people we serve have been directly impacted by Operation Metro Surge being implemented by ICE agents. This story about Omar is case in point.

Potential for all the things we love most…

Every time a new resident is accepted into our program, there is a moment of excitement. Each new person who enters Jonathan House brings with them potential for all the things we love most - friendship, shared food, funny stories, tearful prayers, unfamiliar new words our tongues twist to pronounce. The dozens of people who have passed through the program over the years make up a community of advisors, confidants, interpreters, pastors, financial supporters, and most importantly friends who share life together. Births, deaths, new houses, graduations, reunifications, prayers, dreams - we share it all (we even have a group chat)!

“Omar is about to celebrate his 30th birthday.”

So last month, as we prepared to welcome Omar into our men’s house, our excitement began to build. Especially my own. Omar is about to celebrate his thirtieth birthday, just like me. He has a family and is a parent to toddlers, just like me. I already knew he was courageous for moving to a new country all alone and trying to establish a life for himself and his family. I admire that quality. Even though I didn’t know him yet, little pieces of who he is already resonated with little pieces of who I am, so I was eager for a new connection.

“I was suddenly unable to reach him.”

A few days before Omar was set to move in, I stopped by the office and chatted with our Program Manager who oversees the entire move-in process. What is normally joy turned to concern on his face as he told me he had been regularly connecting with Omar until two days prior when he was suddenly unable to reach him. Soon after came the devastating news that our new friend had been taken by ICE. Just disappeared.

An empty seat

Now, what we imagined would be time spent sitting comfortably around a shared table, sipping tea as we laughed and prayed, has turned into an empty seat. What housemates hoped would be a new friend is an open bed. What volunteers dreamed would be a place of connection is a quiet text thread and a welcome basket still sitting on a counter somewhere. What, for Omar, was supposed to be a welcome home is a cold detention cell serving time alone for no other crime than seeking a safe home.

“We hold his space.”

Our community was, and still is, eager to welcome him. We hold his space, hopeful that he will be released, that he will come home to us, find a job, reunite with his wife and children, and live out the dreams God put in his heart for his life here. We pray he will find the safety he has been searching for. We hold all of this hope not because circumstances suggest they are likely outcomes, but because we believe in a God who sees, hears, and cares for displaced people. We know that, even now, our friend is not alone, and yet we long for a day very soon when he will be able to taste and see a small piece of the kingdom of God that exists when we gather together, various “tribes, tongues, and nations,” and share in the goodness of God around the Jonathan House kitchen table. A normal act that, today, feels like some sort of small resistance.

How can I help?

These are turbulent times. You might be wondering how you can help.

ADVOCATE - One way you can help is to create space in the hearts and minds of others for refugees. Simply share Omar’s story with a friend. Pray together for him and thousands of others who have been pulled from their families, livelihoods, and homes.

GIVE - Of course, your financial support makes a tangible difference in the lives of those displaced by human hatred and violence. Give a gift to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Location Fund to help provide urgent rent and food support to asylum seekers, refugees, and other immigrants in our community who are not able to leave the house under present circumstances.

JOIN - And lastly, share the news. We are in need of another staff member to join our team. If you know someone who would be a good fit, share this job description with them.

Together, we stand with our refugee friends and work to help them survive and recover from forced displacement.