Helping "Foreign Residents" to Serve Jehovah With Rejoicing" -CARING FOR THE GREATEST NEEDS OF REFUGEES

More than material assistance, refugees need spiritual and emotional support.  (Matthew 4:4)  Elders can help by obtaining literature in the language of the refugees and by helping them contact brothers who speak their language.  Many refugees have been torn away from their tight-knit families, communities, and congregations.  They need to sense Jehovah's love and compassion among their fellow Christians. Otherwise, they may be drawn to unbelieving relatives or compatriots who can relate to their culture and experiences. (1 Corinthian 15:33)  By making them feel fully accepted in the congregation, we have the privilege to share with Jehovah in "protecting the foreign residents." -Psalm 146:9. 

As with young Jesus and his family, refugees may not have the option of returning to their homeland as long as their oppressors remain in power. Further, as notes Lije, "many parents who saw family members raped and murdered cannot bear to bring their children back to where those tragedies occurred."  To help those who have experienced such trauma, brothers in lands receiving refugees need to have "fellow feeling, brotherly affection, tender compassion, and humility."  (1 Peter 3:8) Persecution has caused some refugees  to become withdrawn, and they may feel ashamed to talk about their suffering, especially in the presence of their children. Ask yourself, 'If I were in their position, how would I like to be treated?'-Matthew 7:12. 

Next time: Helping "Foreign Residents" to Serve Jehovah With Rejoicing - PREACHING TO NON-WITNESS REFUGEES

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