By Marc Wyatt

Just days into the reality of the global health crisis, we received word that an Afghan family of seven were 24 hours from arriving at the airport. Our refugee agency partner, Lutheran Services of the Carolinas, had expected the family to be denied entry to the United States as did we. We hurried to prepare their rooms at Welcome House.

The family arrived mid-afternoon the next day. Tired and hungry, they enjoyed a hot meal, showered and went straight to bed. Since our health policy does not allow for physical contact during the pandemic, it has been a very isolated welcome. That is except for Mujib. As our hero ministry host, he lives in the house with our guests, providing Christian hospitality and community with an accent.

The agency has maintained contact with this new family by phone for two weeks now. They will move out mid-month when a three-bedroom apartment will be available and after we’ve furnished it. Until then, there isn’t much for the children ages four to 14 to do.

We give thanks for volunteers like Karen, Katie and Sharyn from our Encourager Church, Trinity Baptist Raleigh who, practicing social distancing, have taken games and toys for the children, leaving them on the carport. Cards and letters have also begun coming to Welcome House from friends faraway and just up the street. Messages of welcome, hope and good will arrive in the mailbox each day. When they do, Mujib translates each of them. You see, our ministry host is Afghan too.

Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you (Genesis 28:15).

Marc Wyatt is a CBF field personnel serving alongside his wife, Kim, in the Research Triangle of North Carolina. Learn more about and support their ministry at www.cbf.net/wyatt.