We need to double our capacity!

Nov 16, 2023

- Bethany Ringdal with Rachael Lofgren

"What makes you feel like you can look to the future? What do you value in a home?" I ask.

"It is my wish for Jonathan House to grow and be able to accommodate more people and help them find resources to one day have their own home." Pascal shares.

Doubling Capacity For Home

We sit conversing - Jonathan House staff and residents, looking to the future together. Our goal is to double our housing capacity by 2025, and the feedback from our displaced friends living at Jonathan House's three locations is invaluable in formulating what's next.

We've each chosen a picture of something that represents home to us from the photographs Ella printed and spread on the dining room table. Visuals help our conversation take on shape and texture.

The Key Is "Together"

Cruz shares his picture of a key. "I desire to have a place that is my own - not only a house, but a home that has family, love, and peace. A house that is just a house doesn't allow you to be totally at peace when you are used to a culture where people often go together and eat together."

Timothy chimes in with his picture of people sharing tea. "I like to be with people, too. I hate being alone. It feels uncomfortable to me after growing up in a large family and community. It is better to be friendly with people and highly value relationships with them, including sharing life together. I had a strong sense of community and sharing life in my country. I always go to community meals and house meetings because it is now my opportunity to gather with the community. That is where I feel at home. I need to have time alone to pray, but otherwise, I want to be with friends; that's why my housemates and I talk a lot." he chuckles.

"Family is also important to me," Program Manager Josh adds. "That's why I chose this picture of a park fence. I like to have access to parks and spaces where I can safely play with my children and enjoy the outdoors."

So many watermelons

"That reminds me of the first time I felt safe in the U.S.," Camile remembers smiling.

"My family first came and stayed on a farm. There were cows and fresh milk and so many watermelons." She laughs. "It was a big place with a playground, and the people there were very nice to us." I feel a stab of sadness, knowing that my friend had to leave that good place because the immigration judges there almost always decide against asylum seekers.

"For me, it's important to have space to grow a garden," I say. "Many of us have talked today about what makes us feel safe and at home. Community is essential, and being in a place of safety is important. It sounds like being in nature makes many of us feel peaceful and at home. Thank you to each of you for sharing your input today. Please keep praying with us as we work toward a bigger future for Jonathan House together."

We Need Teammates!

As we lean toward this future growth, we are actively searching for new teammates to fill several essential roles on the Jonathan House team. We invite you to contact Elisa Walt, Director of Mobilization, to explore these opportunities further.

Please pray with us for personnel, partnerships, and resources needed to implement the vision God has given us. Together, and by God’s grace, I know we can expand our capacity to welcome more asylum seekers as they rebuild their lives.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Jonathan House.