Invisible Refugees

Spokane has over 25,000 refugees within its borders. They come from Nepal, Myanmar,Bhutan, Iraq, Cuba, Congo, Eritrea, Somalia and more. 400-500 more are coming to Spokane each year. They are Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Hindus; they are a mission field right in our backyard. We spend countless dollars to send missionaries overseas to share the Gospel with these same people groups which may very well be fine. But, for the most part, the refugees in our midst remain “invisible’ to most Christians even when they venture into our churches. It is my observation that it is much easier to ‘give money then to be involved in the lives of those we profess we want to hear the Gospel message.Many of these refugees are open to hearing the Gospel if we first become their friends. If you are able, invest in their lives with your time and friendship.

Invisible Neighbors

Some of the most ‘invisible’ people for Christians are frequently their neighbors. Yes, we occasionally say hello, with the pre-functionary “how are you”? But rarely do we seek to form relationships which might lead us to sharing the Gospel with them. Not too long ago I was talking to a local leader in his church and he mentioned they had a new neighbor who he wasn’t a believer. So, I asked him about his plan to get to know this neighbor, so he might be able to share the Gospel with him. His response caught me off guard, when he curtly said, “I don’t have a plan”. I have often wondered that if we saw our neighbor’s house on fire wouldn’t we rush over, pound on their door, warning them of their pending doom. Yet, when it comes to sharing the gospel with them and telling them of coming judgment we see no such urgency. For all practical purposes our neighbors are all too frequently “invisible”. Invisible Refugees in our Community Spokane has over 25,000 refugees within its borders. They come from Nepal, Myanmar,Bhutan, Iraq, Cuba, Congo, Eritrea, Somalia and more. 400-500 more are coming to Spokane each year. They are Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Hindus; they are a mission field right in our backyard. We spend countless dollars to send missionaries overseas to share the Gospel with these same people groups which may very well be fine. But, for the most part, the refugees in our midst remain “invisible’ to most Christians even when they venture into our churches. It is my observation that it is much easier to ‘give money then to be involved in the lives of those we profess we want to hear the Gospel message.Many of these refugees are open to hearing the Gospel if we first become their friends. If you are able, invest in their lives with your time and friendship.

Invisible People part 1

Invisible Homeless

Spokane and most likely your city, have hundreds of homeless people, men andwomen of all ages, they live on the edge of main stream society and for the most part occasional ‘panhandler’ on the corner holding a sign asking for ‘money’ or ‘will work’.We try not to make eye contact or worse we mutter something about them getting a job.We lock our car doors before passing by them. I know I’ve done it and if you are honest, so have you. But I have yet to hear of them attempting a car invasion. But for every one you see panhandling there are probably another one hundred who live in the shadowsof ‘invisibility’. They are from almost every ethnic background and age; some addicted to drugs, some to alcohol, some just fleeing an abusive situation or having lost their job.They live under the Freeway, in the alleys, behind a dumpster; but they are visible if we open our eyes. We all have one thing in common; God loves them as much as you andme. He came to die for them too! Who will share the “Good News” of salvation, healing and redemption with them? Or will they remain ‘invisible’ because we choose to look away?