Author: Kelsey Ueland

When I got the opportunity to be a part of this internship, one thing I was interested to see was how many opportunities I would have to be able to share about my faith that I care about so deeply and about the Bible, the book that has shaped and formed my life in so many ways. It turns out that I didn’t have to wait very long, for in just a few conversations with Mukama, one of the current residents, I found a very good friend who loved to talk about religion and faith, which is incredibly important to him as well. 

“If there was no love, there would be no reason to talk cordially about differences in faith; the only goal would be to be correct.“

One afternoon as I was giving Mukama a ride to work, I mentioned how much I appreciated the conversation we had had earlier about each of our respective faiths. As I finished thanking him, he said, “Oh yes of course… but I think I have made a mistake.” I asked what he meant by that, and he explained that he thought he was talking about religion too much and that I was probably getting tired of it. I quickly explained that this was not the case. On the contrary, I actually greatly appreciate anytime someone is willing to talk about faith. He shared my enthusiasm and said,

“It is because I love you.”

It was only fitting that the first time I received such words of affirmation came after this moment of evident shared love for our faiths and for each other. 

He also makes it clear that the reason he is so open to talking about religion is because he cares about me and loves me. If there was no love, there would be no reason to talk cordially about differences in faith; the only goal would be to be correct. But with Mukama, it’s been different. One particular moment has demonstrated this. 

Maybe some of you are like me, someone eager to talk about their faith and learn about others’ faiths. Maybe you’re eager to listen and learn from others’ stories and life journeys. In volunteering and interacting with our friends at Jonathan House, there are many opportunities to talk, listen, and learn in these ways. They all have a unique story and faith journey that we can learn from. I’d encourage you to take a step toward this, whatever it may look like for you. How can you take part in welcoming, encouraging, and listening to our asylum seeker friends today?    

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This story was written by Case Mulder, a Jonathan House intern. Looking for an internship with experience in cross-cultural ministry, nonprofit leadership, and spiritual formation?

The Jonathan House internship application is open now through May 30th. Click below for more information and to start your application!

Earlier this year, I returned to work after taking a few months off for my maternity leave. I came back to the warmest welcome from our friends at Jonathan House. 

“Best wishes for you, your family, and your baby, my sister.” 

It was a reminder to me that in this community, we all have a role to play. We all have a place. We all have capacity. We all contribute. We all belong. Our immigrant friends are so much more than people in need. 

As friends who pray with us, volunteer your time, and give financially, you are also a key part of creating a thriving community. As you think of our friends at Jonathan House or other immigrant neighbors in your community, I challenge you to think of a way they have welcomed you with the same warmth they extended to me.

How might you extend a hand of welcome in return?

Here are a few ideas that come to mind for me:

• If you have a personal connection with someone who lives/lived at Jonathan House, check in to see how they’re doing.
• Get to know Jonathan House better by exploring our volunteer opportunities here!
• Join the Keychain Collective, our group of monthly financial supporters who partner to sustain our work. 

For the last several years, the Jonathan House staff and residents have taken a summer trip up to Camp Amnicon on Lake Superior. It is always a pristine setting to get away for a while and relax. We spend our days there swinging in hammocks, sitting on the beach, kayaking on the river, playing games, and talking around the fire. No work, no agenda, no meetings. It is a time simply meant to relax together as a community and enjoy each other’s company.

Over the years I have watched as the informal setting has equalized power dynamics and allowed people to let down their guard. At Amnicon, we are all simply friends. Sometimes funny stories are told, or old traumas are processed. Sometimes new skills are learned, or old ones are resurrected. Sometimes people share deep spiritual revelations, and sometimes they just sit quietly in the silence of the summer afternoon knitting or sleeping or reading a book. All of these moments seem to flow naturally together, creating an atmosphere of restorative rest in God’s creation.

While I personally was not able to attend this year, I still got a little taste of the beauty of the week as I visited with residents in the week afterwards. I walked into the men’s house one morning to see Salana reclining in a chair smiling and looking more relaxed than I had seen him in the five years I’d known him. I inquired as to the reason for his very different demeanor, and he told me he had not had a vacation for seven years and said,

“I never believed it could be possible to feel so rejuvenated.”

Safety. Stability. Support. Community. These are words you hear from us all the time and for me, this story really captured the “why” behind them. Those are some of the key ingredients that help people to truly recover from all that they have been through before arriving in the United States and all that they continue to face as they fight to establish themselves in a new place. When given time and space outside, with a safe community, and a caring God, all of us can breath a little better as our hearts and bodies find the space they need to mend.

We are beyond grateful to Camp Amnicon for generously gifting us this retreat free of cost each year. If you are looking for a time of rest and rejuvenation for your own mind, body, or soul, take a peak at their website, http://www.amnicon.org/. They offer personal retreats year round in their beautiful, private cabins. You won’t regret it!