OMAHA Refugee Resettlement
Partnering with Lutheran Family Services to assist Refugees settling in Omaha
God has called us to respond to the needs of refugees. Millions of refugees are driven from their homes and communities every year. Armed conflict, human rights violations, and fear of persecution cause refugees to risk the dangers of heat, borders, choppy seas, and refugee camps for the chance to live in freedom and peace. In Nebraska, refugees mostly come from Southeast Asia and Vietnam, the former Soviet Union, Bosnia, the Middle East, and Africa. Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska (LFS) welcomes hundreds of refugees to Nebraska every year.
Westwood Church is going to co-sponsor a refugee family with Lutheran Family Services (LFS). Our goal is to share the love of Jesus through hospitality, kindness, and support. When we welcome refugees, we live out what Jesus has called us to do in Matthew 25 – “For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home… ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” When we help resettle a family, we provide safety, hope and well-being to individuals and families in our community.
Through our partnering with LFS, we will help house a family. This means we will provide a furnished home which includes furniture & household goods, pantry & kitchen needs, toiletries, grocery store gift certificates, Metro bus passes and additional items that a refugee family may need. We may have an opportunity to greet a family at the airport and share in a first meal with them. We also commit to visiting the family at least once a week for three to six months.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
We can also accept used items in good condition. Call the church to let us know what you have.