JOYFUL GRATITUDE

A dear friend has had a ministry for decades now, serving refugees from countries such as Burundi, D. R. Congo, and Rwanda. Many of these fine people have been resettled in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. It has been my privilege and joy for several years now to periodically attend their church with my friend. This church was founded by several brothers who are from Burundi. These outstanding men were once persecuted during the genocide in their home country and then forced into prison camps there for years. Finally, they were given legal refugee status and allowed to come to the USA to start new lives. They came to this country with absolutely nothing but one plastic bag each with all their earthly belongings. After years of hard work, they are now successful, outstanding, contributing members of our society.

Since I am active in my own church, I only attend theirs once or twice a year. But I am welcomed with open arms every time I go. Their worship services are full of gratitude and joy. I have twice been invited into the beautiful homes of two of the pastors to share a lavish meal with their beautiful families. The children are all polite, well-behaved, respectful, and personable. Their very lives exude thanksgiving and praise to the Lord Jesus, who has set them free not only from the chains of poverty, persecution, and prison, but also from the bonds of sin and death through His sacrifice on the cross. I am always, always humbled yet refreshed from being in their presence. I have so very much to learn from them about living a life without complaint, always giving glory to God.