Helping to provide the poor wanderer with shelter...

KarenKids
Originally uploaded by ericblauer.

The only real prison is fear, the only real freedom is freedom from fear. -Aung San Suu Kyi

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?" -Isaiah 58:6-7

As a part of our community outreach as a church and in cooperation with World Relief, we have had the privilege of helping resettle 4 Karen refugee families since October of 2006. These refugees are fleeing the ongoing violence, oppression and criminal atrocities of the military dictatorship in Burma. The current Burmese government refuses to acknowledge the democratically elected leader of Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi, in fact, she is currently still under house arrest.

Acts 17:26
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.

This month we are preparing for the 5th family to arrive from the refugee camps on the Thailand/Burma border. Our 6th and 7th families are awaiting to come to Spokane as soon as they are finally cleared for entry into the USA; this could happen anytime.

We are also currently making arrangements to fly a Karen pastor and his 5 other family members to Spokane from Utica, New York, to live among us and help me pastor this little growing community. This takes money, airfare should be around $2000 probably, and as a church that is celebrating its one year anniversary this month, this is no small task.

By God’s grace and through the patience and generosity of a number of helpful landlords; we have been able to help all these families move into our neighborhood. In the very near future we are working on providing a transitional house that will be a “landing pad” for incoming refugees to stay at while they adjust and begin the hard work of finding homes, jobs, schooling and learning about their new home. This will be called The House Of Refuge or (THOR), I am currently praying, working and negotiating with the owner/landlord on the house that I think will be perfect for this ministry, in God's timing it will be a reality.

We truly believe that the Lord has arranged for us to be involved in serving these wonderful people and the many more that the Lord will continue to send to Spokane. I know that where God leads, He will provide and that usually happens through the generosity and sacrifice of people.

We are currently receiving tax deductible donations, household furnishings and arranging for volunteers to work with the incoming refugees. If you would like to become involved, please pray and then contact me. I know that together we can show the love of God in practical ways to a brave and humble people.

Your prayers and support are always welcome.

Jacob’s Well
3016 E. 5th Ave
Spokane, WA. 99202
500-535-9355
www.jacobswellspokane.com