"Refugees and asylum seekers are among the most powerless, marginalised and dislocated people in the world, clearly a high priority for those who follow Jesus. Christian mission and ministry stands or falls on its response of hospitality to such groups." (Professor Ross Langmead)I have watched as many of my Facebook friends have posted, shared, reposted and critiqued items relating to the Australian Governments asylum seeker and refugee policies and practices. Many of you have spoken passionately and with conviction about how wrong it is that Australia locks desperate and frightened people up. You've commented with anger about the deaths at sea and you have spoken with frustration about the apparent apathy of Australia and her people. Some of you have asked the question, "what can we do?"
Well here is something that all of us can do. Here is an opportunity to channel the words into actions. Here is a chance to combine faith and action, to go beyond the words and to "love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action". This is a way that all of us that have preached compassion and hospitality can practice it.
Welcome to My Place for Dinner is an opportunity for us to show hospitality to asylum seekers and refugees during Refugee Week, 15-21 June 2014. (Wouldn't it be radical to go beyond that week?) We have an opportunity to rise up and show love and hospitality to those fleeing the trauma of conflict, crisis and poverty in their birthplace to face uncertain futures here in Australia.
Check out the webpage see how you, your Corps (Church) or Home Group could be part of this. Welcome To My Place. [Imagine if there were stories of 1,000 'ordinary Australians' hosting refugees and asylum seekers for dinner in their homes.]
It is a human right to be free to move between borders, to make a home within a country, and to leave and return as one pleases. This is decreed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 13 (1&2)
