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Springfield Church Assists Refugees Members of University Heights Baptist Church in Springfield are responding to God’s call to "welcome strangers" by helping refugees in Canada make a new start in life. Pat Wolf and Marilyn Nelson, both members at University Heights, recently traveled to Ft. Erie, Ontario to help the Matthew House, a small shelter that welcomes and assists newly arrived refugees to Canada. Since opening in October 2001, Matthew House has provided shelter and assistance for hundreds of newly arrived refugees who would otherwise have been homeless. "While we were there, we saw refugees from Congo, Burundi, Haiti, Zimbabwe, & Colombia," notes Nelson. "We were blessed by every contact and learned from every person we interacted with." The refugees Matthew House serves arrive in Canada with no sponsors and little or no personal possessions. Their connections in Canada are remote – a friend of a friend of a friend. In effect, they are alone. Inspired by Matthew 25:35 – "I was a stranger and you welcomed me" – Matthew House strives to be a place where God’s love is felt and communicated within an atmosphere of welcome and peace. Nelson and Wolf were at the Matthew House for three weeks. The first week they were trained by Jim and Shirley McNair, the directors of Ft. Erie Matthew House. Then they managed the facility for two weeks in order to give the McNairs a much-needed break. Nelson and Wolf were joined in their work by Carol Weber, a member of Ravensworth Baptist Church in Annandale, Virginia. "We were continually amazed at the dedication of the McNairs. Even after the refugees move out, they stay in touch," says Nelson. "They help the refugees find permanent housing, find furnishings, and then help them move in. They are there to rejoice with them in the good times and weep with them in the stressful times. Their caring makes a huge difference." First Baptist Church, Ft. Erie, started the Matthew House ministry and donated the house, which is across the parking lot from the church. Almost half of FBC attendees are immigrants. Matthew House residents do not have to go to FBC (or any church), but the church has become a sort of "extended family" for many immigrants. According to Jim McNair, the church is seen as a welcoming place. "We may say, ‘You see that big brick building across the driveway. They have provided this house so you will have a place to stay. You may visit there. They will welcome you.’" The Matthew House ministry has many needs, including double, single and queen sheet sets; bath towels, hand towels, wash cloths; and toiletry items like soap, shampoo, combs, toothpaste, and toothbrushes. The house also accepts donations of clothing, furniture and other items the immigrants might need. "Former residents depend on Matthew House even after they move out," notes McNair. "Their income is so limited." |
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