All Together Now!

How to win at Kickball (and Life)

A group of teens were playing a fierce game of kick ball against their college advisors. There were wiffs and slides, catches and misses, steals and runs. As the teens would close out their turn to kick and head into the outfield, they would huddle up; look each other in the eye and say, "All together now!" They had determined that even though each person had their own particular job or assignment - they were going to play the game (and win the game) together. There is an African philosophy that teaches: I am because We are. It is a way of being in community that understands the only way forward is together. Together is the source of joy and strength. It gives us a sense of who we are and whose we are. It's how you win in kickball and in life.

Here at Welcome House Raleigh our volunteers and staff work alongside our guests to build community and friendship. We each have our own unique roles that sometimes seem so small next the burdens our guests carry. But together we are changing the world. The ESL teacher spends 30 minutes teaching a group of students their home address. Such a small thing, but it leads to naming and defining home. A church group provides a week of groceries. The items are purchased with discretionary income, but it gives a family a taste of hospitality and welcome - nourishment for the body, the spirit and the mind. At Welcome House, all the little offerings come together to provide the foundation for everyone - guests, volunteers, staff, neighbors - to dream and grow and flourish. We hope you will read along in this newsletter to catch a glimpse of how we are all in this together.

What Has Been Found

Welcome Network Director, Lydia Pratt Tatum, shared a poem (pictured above) given to Welcome House by Mr. Al Raheem. He was moved to write the poem during his family's stay at Welcome House. You can read Lydia's complete reflection and the translation of the poem by clicking here.

When guests arrive at Welcome House, many years of walls of protection have been built up that guard hearts and keep families safe in the midst of insecurity and turmoil.  These walls have literally kept these families alive.  

When the Al Raheem family arrived, it had been 23 years since they had fled their home country. A whole life had been lived in the country that provided them asylum, but that life was still unstable and in transition. . .

Welcome House Raleigh is part of CBF North Carolina's Welcome Network, a collaborative missions program of CBFNC, CBF field personnel, partner churches and individuals that provides hospitality ministry to vulnerable neighbors across the state.