Shelter, Safety, and Rest
Dec 16, 2021
- Tom Albinson with SJ Holsteen
Not Allowed to Work + No Access to Social Services = ?
Question: What do you call a person crossing our border as they flee persecution, war, or gross violations of human rights back in their homeland?
Answer: An Asylum seeker.
Did you know that asylum seekers in the US don’t receive government benefits and are not allowed to work for their first 12 months here? That leaves them incredibly marginalized and vulnerable as they struggle to find shelter, food, and water.
Offering shelter along with safe and supportive community
That’s why IAFR’s Jonathan House ministry in Minneapolis/St. Paul provides asylum seekers with temporary shelter and safe community.
One of the women living in a Jonathan House shared how she has finally found a safe, stable place to start healing.
The need for a place of healing and recovery
"In all the places I passed through before Jonathan House, I encountered exploitation, abuse, people being mean to me... They weren't willing to show me resources to help me out of my problems."
Then she spoke of her experience in Jonathan House.
“This is my house. My heart is here, until God decides what is next. My hope is that this ministry increases because there is a lot of need."
While here in the Twin Cities, she has received needed medical care and accessed online educational opportunities.
"My teachers recognized I have a high skill-level. When you are down, and someone is reminding you of your value and worth, it is so encouraging.”
Finding rest on the journey
She recently commented, “Before I moved into Jonathan House, I went on to their website and read about the Biblical David and Jonathan. David was suffering, persecuted, and on the run. His friend Jonathan went to encourage him in God, so he could find some rest.”
"Jonathan House is a good place to rest, even while I continue to journey," she concludes. "I'm able to remember I am going somewhere."
The Jonathan House team supports residents in a variety of ways.
SJ Holsteen lives at the Jonathan House for women and children, providing daily companionship and emotional support to residents. Kelsey Ueland, our Support Coordinator, helps residents connect to resources that will help them take the next step on the road to recovery from forced displacement. Our Program Manager Josh Levin meets with residents once a month to reflect with them on the progress they’ve made toward their personal goals. And Bethany Ringdal, our Community Coordinator, connects residents with volunteers from churches who offer relational and practical support on their journey toward hope and belonging in their new community.
Learn more about Jonathan House!
Missionaries are our most valuable asset!
Whether serving with Jonathan House or with another IAFR ministry in the US, Africa, or Europe, it takes relationships of trust to facilitate healing and strengthen hope. That’s why our IAFR teammates are our most valuable asset as we pursue our mission of helping people survive and recover from forced displacement.
Helping people recover from forced displacement requires more than meeting physical needs. Recovery work requires building relationships of trust, strengthening a Life-giving worldview, and facilitating emotional healing and well-being. That is why the ministry of IAFR is relational at its core. Join with us by supporting an IAFR missionary today!
Or give to where it is most needed!
If you prefer, we invite you to make a special donation to where it is most needed by giving to the IAFR Sustaining Fund. We are deeply grateful for our Sustaining Partners who invest in the mission of IAFR in this way!