Flavors of Hope: A Refugee Community Dinner
On September 20th, we opened our doors to our new downtown space to host some of our refugee neighbors living in the area. It was unknown who and how many would show up, but we set the tables and tried to make the space as lovely and welcoming as possible. In partnership with the fantastic staff at World Relief, we invited about 40 people to this unique dinner.
Within a few minutes of opening our doors, the room was unexpectedly filled with ‘hellos’ and ‘nice to meet yous,’ but also with ‘holas,’ ‘Salaam Alaikum,’ and ‘privies.’ Seeing little kids running around and coloring together, parents chatting with others who spoke their language, and a group of teens immediately finding the ping pong table and starting to play was a delightful surprise. The World Relief staff’s help in facilitating conversation when we needed interpretation added to the spontaneous joy of the evening. The room was a beautiful mix of diversity, a true picture of the Kingdom of God, and the unexpected turnout added a touch of excitement to the event.
The first family to walk in greeted me with “Hola, como estas?” so I immediately tried to recall all the Spanish I could. “How many months have you lived here?” I asked.
The mother, Maria, looked at me and laughed a little. ” Two days,” she replied. Two days? I was shocked. I couldn’t even fathom the chaos and turmoil the family had experienced in just the last 48 hours. I asked again, and Maria confirmed they had arrived from Venezuela on Wednesday.
“Wow, welcome to Spokane!” I responded, not having any other words that felt fitting. Suddenly, the night had become not just a chance to bless our neighbors who were adjusting to life in the States but also an opportunity to welcome them. It was a profound honor to be part of a family’s first impression of Spokane, and I felt a deep respect for the courage and resilience of the refugees.
As the night went on, we counted 40 people, then 70, and by the end, nearly 100 new faces were in our building. Somehow, we had food for everyone! There were families from 6 countries, most of whom arrived in the US in the last 90 days. The room was bustling and full of energy, and it provided a chance for newly arrived families to connect with others and relax as they shared a meal. This dinner offered a unique opportunity for us at Spokane YFC to love our neighbors. It was a gift to sit down, share a delicious Jordanian meal, and freely give love, care, and compassion as Christ gave us.
As the night came to a close, we were filled with a sense of hope for the future. We are confident that our center will soon become a safe place for the kids in the room and a support system for the families as we put the final touches on it. Still, for now, it was a blessing to get to be together and enjoy each other’s company. As I reflect on that beautiful night, I am inspired by the potential of our center to make Maria’s family and the other refugees’ transition a little easier. I hope that they genuinely feel the love of Christ we aimed to embody.
This night could not have happened without the partnership and support of Feast Kitchen, World Relief, and, of course, our wonderful donors. Your support allows us to make a tangible impact on families that need it most!