Reciprocity: experiencing God's blessings together

At IAFR, one of our core values is reciprocity. The idea is that in relationship with others, we all have the opportunity to be transformed and experience God’s blessing together. Refugees bless us even as we seek to bless them! Over the last six years, as I have served with Jonathan House, I have found this to be especially true.

The purpose of our work is to provide shelter, and a safe, supportive community that enables people to find the grounding they need to move on to long-term stability. When the time is right, God always releases the men, women, and children he has entrusted into our care onto the next thing. When people move out, it is always sad to see them go, yet joyful to see the people they are becoming and the lives they are building along the way.

"What I had set out to create for others, God has offered back to me."

This spring, I have the opportunity to transition to a new team with IAFR and as I feel God releasing me to the next thing, I can’t help but notice that what I had set out to create for others, God has offered back to me. The community I have found in Jonathan House has been a place of healing and stability, friendship for my family, and so much joy. God has worked out in my own heart a deeper confidence in myself and in him, and a deeper awe at the strength, grit, fragility, and faith of my fellow humans.

Jonathan House is a place and time in my life where I can say with much clarity that God has been kind to me, challenging my heart and mind, and offering me personal healing and transformation through my connections with people who have been displaced from their homes. In their friendship and hospitality, I have experienced the familiar grace of Jesus. In their hardships and sufferings, I have found he is never far off.

"Built into God’s plan for us is the opportunity to be changed together in community."

God brings all of us into different relationships, different seasons of life, different work, all with the purpose of simply allowing us to receive his love. I know this has been true for me and I trust it has also been true for the many men, women, and children I have had the pleasure of befriending during my time at Jonathan House.

In fact, I received a message from a former resident the other day reflecting on a group photo she has in her new home. This is what she said, “I hope your baby boy is growing up well, smart, and healthy. [The photo I have] reminds me of the good and happy family and friends and the time we spent together. Thank you for your concern, care, and prayers… may God bless us all as members of Jonathan House.” I too find myself grateful for her care for me and for my family and grateful that built into God’s plan for us is the opportunity to be changed together in community.