"I was an engineer back in my country. I did not enjoy that job. But I ran my own textile business, and I loved that work." Friha shared, her teenage son Samir interpreting her flow of Arabic conversation into flawless English.

"That was Jesus you felt."

I'd seen Friha sitting alone in the backyard during the pizza party we held after our dedication service at Hope Community. When I asked if I could sit with her, she welcomed me with a beaming smile and called Samir over to translate.

The conversation soon turned to the topic of faith. "To be a national of our country meant to be Muslim, but we wanted freedom to choose our own religion," Samir explained. "I really liked the music you sang earlier. It really touched me. I've never felt anything like that before."

When Samir shared what he was saying with Friha, she nodded emphatically. "The music was beautiful, and all the words touched me," she agreed.

"That was Jesus you felt," I said. "We do this because Jesus loves us and has welcomed us into his family - we want you to know that Jesus loves you, too." I knew they were sensing the life and peace Jesus' Spirit brings with His presence.

"We feel like we have family again."

As Friha and her four children prepared to leave for their walk back to the family refugee camp on the other side of town, Friha got up and gave a speech to the people milling around in the backyard. Her son translated.

"We left everything behind. We left our home country and our family. But here, we feel like we have family again. Thank you so much."

I felt humbled and moved by her generous words. Without a common culture or language, Friha and her family had experienced a sense of family.

Because of the welcome and love of Jesus, they felt the hope of belonging in their journey toward a new home. And that is why we do the work of welcome at Hope Community in Sarajevo. Because Jesus first welcomed us, we want to extend that welcome to others in His Name.

CLICK HERE to Learn More About Hope Community.