Nebraska Synod ELCA

by Rev. Kimberly R. Belken

June 9, 2023, Abdu, his wife and his two adult sisters arrive in Omaha after a long, arduous and very dangerous journey from war torn, Taliban controlled, Afghanistan. They had fled through Iran to Brazil and north through Columbia, then on foot through the 66 mile, infamous Darien Gap rainforest into Panama, then North to the California border. They entered as registered aliens, eventually finding their way to Omaha.

They had left behind their families and a farm. Their parents and extended family, a hundred sheep on the mountainside, an orchard of 500 apple trees, pear and peach trees, vegetable gardens, six cows, chickens, a housing compound of stone carved out of the mountain built by his grandfather.

Now, June 10, walking their Omaha neighborhood they discovered the food pantry sign in the front yard of St. Matthew Lutheran Church. Church member, Fritz, was mowing the church lawn. In his broken English, Abdu introduced his family and asked Fritz about getting food. Fritz had no access to the food pantry, but told them that if they came back the next morning (Sunday) there would be people present who would help them.

Sunday morning, as worship began, imagine our surprise when the four members of this weary Afghan family quietly slipped in and joined us in worship, including joining us for the sacrament of Holy Communion! And the welcome response following worship was incredibly Christlike!  By the end of that first week they had a safe place to stay. Food and clothing was being procured. Home furnishings were being gathered and delivered. Legal status was being pursued with Homeland Security and immigration offices. Registration with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services was completed (though not yet approved).

Like many smaller neighborhood Lutheran Churches, St. Matthew has been struggling. Covid, and wrestling with inclusivity issues becoming a Reconciling In Christ community, making it our mission to welcome and reach out to the LGBTQ+ community, have resulted in significant membership losses. And now, this has happened while St. Matthew wrestles with a pastoral vacancy since December.

We are now three months into this calling to be neighbors to the aliens in our midst. This Muslim husband and brother tells us that when he saw this church he knew God was telling him that this is where he could get help for his family. Many of us know them better than we know each other. Walking beside them to health clinics (thank you Kountz Memorial and Methodist free Clinic, Project Hope, One World, Heart Ministry and so many more aid agencies and individuals), food pantries, clothing and home goods providers have opened our hearts to their presence in our midst.

The struggle for their legal security is paramount, and in the hands of very expensive immigration legal assistance, there no longer being legal assistance available through non profits like Lutheran Family Services and the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services. The projected cost is $60,000. This incredibly intelligent family is anxious to work, but can’t due to their current legal status. Anyone wishing to help us with the ongoing support of this family is welcome.