Refugee Resettlement Mission
The mission committee is committed to refugee resettlement. Our role as Christians is much like that of the Good Samaritan, who befriended a stranger in need. He took action with concern for a fellow human being, and expected nothing in return. A refugee is a person who has had to flee his or her native country because of political or religious persecution or war. It has been our mission at Starmount since the late 1980s to welcome families and make them feel safe while assisting them to become self-sufficient as soon as possible.
The Thonsevahs from Laos, the Nies from Vietnam, the Secerkadics from Bosnia, the Ashirs from Somalia, the Chenhs from Hong Kong, the Rrustemis and Sejdius from Kosovo, the Aliefendics from Bosnia, the Lost Boys from Sudan, the Silvestres from Colombia, and the Montagnard men from Vietnam, and their families who have followed, have all become self-sufficient. We have helped them, but those of us involved in this ministry have been blessed by knowledge of the world beyond our doors and by the friendships we have made along the journey.
Starmount members can get involved in a variety of ways. God has given to each one of us a talent that can be used to make a refugee family feel welcome. For those who like to decorate, there is a need for people to help collect furniture and to set up an apartment. For those with experience in teaching, there is a need for volunteer tutors for both adults and children. Other committee jobs include: driving a family to appointments, finding clothing, registering children for school, locating employment, and providing a listening ear. We welcome new Starmount members to this mission of assistance.