Beauty on the Backroads

Stories of grace for life's unexpected turns

Refugees Welcome

#Run4Refugees Day 6: Closing in on the end

Officially, I have logged 16.9 miles on my quest toward 20 miles on foot this week, and that’s exactly where I want to be because I’m running another virtual 5k tomorrow. Because I’m SO close to 17 miles, I’m going to give you three more reasons today and the final three reasons tomorrow. It’s not too late to donate. I’ve surpassed the $500 mark in donations, which leaves me in awe. Thank you for the support! Donations are matched today and tomorrow, if you’re still interested. And now, on to the reasons!

15. Refugees often travel hundreds of miles on foot or crammed into vehicles or on overloaded boats to reach a place of relative safety. I have a lot of comforts in my life. I start getting uncomfortable if too many people close in on my personal bubble. I don’t know how it would feel to choose this kind of discomfort out of desperation. Logging 20 miles on foot is not comfortable. My legs remind me daily of what I’ve done. Mine is a chosen challenge, not made out of desperation, but it’s reminding me of those whose choices are often between staying in a place that’s unsafe but is home or leaving everything behind and fleeing to a place of relative safety that isn’t anything like home. I can choose some temporary discomfort.

16. I want you to know how much a community is enriched by its refugee neighbors. Lancaster, PA, where I live, has an abundant refugee community, most obviously reflected in the variety of global flavors offered in local restaurants. Refugees live and work in our community. One has written a book about his journey to The United States with a well-known graphic novelist. My interactions with refugees have shown me that I have a lot to learn about hospitality and friendship and community from refugees.

17. Asylum-seekers, like those who arrive at the southern border of the United States, share many of the same plights as refugees. And when I heard reports last month that women were being forced to have hysterectomies, I was overcome with despair. It is far too easy for us to look away or forget that people–children and women mostly–are being detained in conditions we wouldn’t accept for our own children. It’s easy to dismiss it as fake news, but when organizations I trust report on those conditions, from the frontlines, I choose to believe them. I can feel despair, but I can’t let that be the stopping point. Awareness. Support. Advocacy. Running these miles combines all three.

#Run4Refugees Day 5: Another mile, another reason

I’ve logged 14 miles now on the quest to 20, with two more days left in the week. That means some longish runs over the next two days, but today was chock-full and my body needed a little bit of rest anyway.

And that allows for more attention to the next reason I’m doing this challenge. (If you missed them, you can catch up on the previous reasons: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3 and Day 4.)

14. Not all refugees are fleeing war or poverty. Some are forced to flee because of discrimination: their sexual orientation or religious practice or even genetic differences like ablinism. Discrimination of any kind is detestable to me. So, I’m running (and walking) to raise money that supports safe spaces for refugees who have been discriminated against. CWS has programs in Kenya and South Africa specifically dedicated to welcoming, protecting and standing up for LGBTQI refugees.

According to the organization: “There are very few safe spaces around the world that protect someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity; in many countries, homophobia is still the norm, even to the point where same-sex activity is considered a punishable crime.  And unfortunately, some of the worst hate comes from communities who claim faith. It means that these refugees live in constant fear for their lives wherever they go, even in the sanctuary of a church.” 

One component of their Safe Space program is a training center for faith leaders where pastors and community leaders are challenged to break down their own internal barriers that add to the daily dangers faced by LGBTQI refugees.

I believe my faith and the affirmation of LGBTQI individuals are not at odds, so I am proud to support this work with my miles and my money.

Donations are still being doubled through the end of the week, and thanks to you, I reached my next goal of $500 raised in support of refugees! That number can always go higher, though!