Many have said that the United States can be labeled a “melting pot” of cultures and people groups from all over the world.  Here in San Diego that is definitely the case as we have a huge community of people from all over the globe.  Among the internationals who make San Diego their home, many are refugees who have been forced to leave their homeland for a variety of reasons.  If you know my brother than you know that he is heavily involved in the refugee community here in San Diego especially among those from African countries.  I have met many of his new friends through soccer games, thanksgiving dinners and front yard over the line games but never had my own experience helping these people with amazing stories begin their lives in america.  That was, until today!  This morning I left my house ready to embark on a busy but good day off of running errands and getting things done when I got a phone call that changed the rest of my morning.  I was invited to the El Cajon social security office to help a refugee family from Iraq get their social security cards.  Helping this family was exciting as I got to firsthand help this family from Iraq as they work to begin their life here.  I filled out forms for a family from Baghdad who had three young boys.  After the forms were filled out and the family left the office I learned that one of the boys had major burns on his arms from an attack he suffered back home in Iraq.  It was a sad story to hear but one that will keep that boy and his family in my prayers and on my mind for days to come.

In the grand scheme of things what exactly did I do today?  Technically I filled out two forms for a family I did not know and might not ever see again.  Personally, I believe I did so much more than that for this family.  I may never know the extent of my contribution, but my prayer is that I was able to be Jesus to this family.