These are not easy days for those who desire to enter the United States as immigrants and refugees, or for those who have already entered our country. Concerns about national security and unemployment cause many of us to be skeptical of the need for the United States to allow new arrivals. Challenges related to illegal immigration and undocumented workers make it even easier for some to view all who come to our shores as immigrants or refugees in a negative light.
Yet, a hallmark that we celebrate is that we are a country of immigrants and refugees. Almost all of us trace our ancestry to another country. Even if you were born in the United States, it’s likely that someone not too far up your family tree was born in another country … maybe your parents, grandparents or great grandparents.
Recently, Greg Wangerin, a respected leader in the Chicago community, received a “Seeds of Hope” award from Wheat Ridge Ministries in recognition of his life of service to refugees. Greg and his family spent many years working in refugee camps and helping find new homes for those who were displaced by war, political oppression or natural disaster. Currently, Greg is the executive director of Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Ministries (soon to be known as “Refugee 1”), a wonderful agency in Chicago that is the initial point of contact for many who arrive in the area as their first destination in the United States.
Those who were present at the dinner during which Greg received his award were touched by the remarks he shared in his acceptance. True to his nature, Greg focused not on himself as an award recipient, but on the people he and his staff serve. With Greg’s permission, I share his remarks with you. I hope that they provide for you, as they do for me, a fresh, hopeful and encouraging perspective as we welcome new arrivals to our shores:
Thank you for giving me a few minutes to talk about why refugees merit this special Seeds of Hope Award.
Through the years, I've seen how refugees are like seeds themselves: so vulnerable to their environments that they can readily die - or live. Die if neglected; thrive and grow if nurtured properly.
And what do seeds need in order to grow, but good, rich soil. HUMUS! The Latin root for this word “humus” is the very same for “humility.” Now - who knows more about lowliness, modesty and insignificance than a refugee?
Refugees are folks who run for their very lives, forsaking everything, and leaving homelands behind out of fear of persecution. They’re experts at knowing something about humility. And humiliation.
Vulnerable. Humble. Yet sturdy, hardy and hearty are refugees. They’re survivors - just like seeds that survive the cold, hard ground of the long, dark winter, blossoming in springtime.
And one key ingredient to the refugees’ daily survival is hope. Hope to go forward. Hope for a better day.
Ibrahim, an African refugee, once told me, “Greg, when I ran from Sierra Leone, all I had was hope: hope that I’d be safe. Hoping not to be shot. Hoping my wife and kids were safe - and that I'd find them again. Hoping for a drink of water, and some bit of food to eat; and a quiet, safe place to rest. Greg, refugees survive on hope,” my friend Ibrahim told me.
Refugees are the walking embodiment of hope! I’ve got countless stories to illustrate this - but in the interest of time, I‘ll spare you.
Yet, I tell you, resettled refugees are America’s seeds of hope: growing and producing, enriching and strengthening our great country. And not only do they grow - they help us to grow and expand our own horizons, too. I‘ve seen it so often: those who welcome refugees become transformed themselves.
So all of us - resettled refugees and us American-born - benefit. And while each of our stories is singular, our destiny as Americans is shared, as President Obama says.
Refugees resettled into our communities represent the future of America. As we give them a chance to start over, to regenerate, we and they, together, become one in what we want for our own families and neighborhoods: dignified lives of peaceful co-existence and self-reliance, reaching for the American dream.
Thank you for listening. And deepest thanks to Wheat Ridge Ministries for your invaluable partnership in welcoming refugees, the seeds of hope for our communities and country.
Thank you, Greg! And, thank you to all who welcome, assist and support the refugee families who are resettled in the United States each year!
Yet, a hallmark that we celebrate is that we are a country of immigrants and refugees. Almost all of us trace our ancestry to another country. Even if you were born in the United States, it’s likely that someone not too far up your family tree was born in another country … maybe your parents, grandparents or great grandparents.
Recently, Greg Wangerin, a respected leader in the Chicago community, received a “Seeds of Hope” award from Wheat Ridge Ministries in recognition of his life of service to refugees. Greg and his family spent many years working in refugee camps and helping find new homes for those who were displaced by war, political oppression or natural disaster. Currently, Greg is the executive director of Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Ministries (soon to be known as “Refugee 1”), a wonderful agency in Chicago that is the initial point of contact for many who arrive in the area as their first destination in the United States.
Those who were present at the dinner during which Greg received his award were touched by the remarks he shared in his acceptance. True to his nature, Greg focused not on himself as an award recipient, but on the people he and his staff serve. With Greg’s permission, I share his remarks with you. I hope that they provide for you, as they do for me, a fresh, hopeful and encouraging perspective as we welcome new arrivals to our shores:
Thank you for giving me a few minutes to talk about why refugees merit this special Seeds of Hope Award.
Through the years, I've seen how refugees are like seeds themselves: so vulnerable to their environments that they can readily die - or live. Die if neglected; thrive and grow if nurtured properly.
And what do seeds need in order to grow, but good, rich soil. HUMUS! The Latin root for this word “humus” is the very same for “humility.” Now - who knows more about lowliness, modesty and insignificance than a refugee?
Refugees are folks who run for their very lives, forsaking everything, and leaving homelands behind out of fear of persecution. They’re experts at knowing something about humility. And humiliation.
Vulnerable. Humble. Yet sturdy, hardy and hearty are refugees. They’re survivors - just like seeds that survive the cold, hard ground of the long, dark winter, blossoming in springtime.
And one key ingredient to the refugees’ daily survival is hope. Hope to go forward. Hope for a better day.
Ibrahim, an African refugee, once told me, “Greg, when I ran from Sierra Leone, all I had was hope: hope that I’d be safe. Hoping not to be shot. Hoping my wife and kids were safe - and that I'd find them again. Hoping for a drink of water, and some bit of food to eat; and a quiet, safe place to rest. Greg, refugees survive on hope,” my friend Ibrahim told me.
Refugees are the walking embodiment of hope! I’ve got countless stories to illustrate this - but in the interest of time, I‘ll spare you.
Yet, I tell you, resettled refugees are America’s seeds of hope: growing and producing, enriching and strengthening our great country. And not only do they grow - they help us to grow and expand our own horizons, too. I‘ve seen it so often: those who welcome refugees become transformed themselves.
So all of us - resettled refugees and us American-born - benefit. And while each of our stories is singular, our destiny as Americans is shared, as President Obama says.
Refugees resettled into our communities represent the future of America. As we give them a chance to start over, to regenerate, we and they, together, become one in what we want for our own families and neighborhoods: dignified lives of peaceful co-existence and self-reliance, reaching for the American dream.
Thank you for listening. And deepest thanks to Wheat Ridge Ministries for your invaluable partnership in welcoming refugees, the seeds of hope for our communities and country.
Thank you, Greg! And, thank you to all who welcome, assist and support the refugee families who are resettled in the United States each year!
