March 2000

Dear Friends,

I am delighted that you are considering becoming involved in refugee sponsorship. I hope that the material in this Sponsor’s Handbook will provide you with an overview of what is involved in sponsorship. The Sponsorship Developer will walk your group through the process step by step to ensure that you are well prepared to take on this great challenge.

What is not captured in these pages is how this experience can transform the individuals involved. I can think of no other volunteer experience that requires more commitment of time and care, but I can also not think of any volunteer experience that has the potential to give so much to those involved. If you are open to it, sponsoring a refugee family has the ability to teach you many things about the world we live in, other religions, a different culture… you will see your community through a new set of eyes and it will forever change you.

Refugee sponsorship is an important statement of faith and hope. I am continually amazed by the energy and commitment our sponsors have and when I ask them why they took on this incredible task they respond “it is what Jesus would have done.” What better reason could there be?

The crisis of refugees is overwhelming. We are bombarded by pictures and endless stories of man’s inhumanity to man. The reality is that the United States resettles less than one half of one percent of the world’s refugees, hardly a drop in the bucket. However, to the family that you assist it will mean everything. Throughout your sponsorship experience, we hope that you always remember that what you are doing is a Biblical act. “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,” Jesus told his followers.

You are truly welcoming the stranger by sponsoring a refugee family, and you are giving them a new chance to live. Thank you so much for this act of love.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Searle

Executive Director

Bridge Refugee and Sponsorship Services