Things we take for granted
Everyone has a bias and preconceived notions. I have been blessed to be around refugees from all over the world because of the work I do and it has been a great experience. Every one of them that I met is so grateful to be in the wonderful country that we call home: America.
As I was sitting in a meeting today, I was thinking about things we take for granted:
1. When I call a doctor’s office, I’ll be able to understand all the options on the phone tree. When you’re a refugee and you speak another language you don’t know what button to push to get an appointment.
2. When I go on vacation, I’ll know the weather and be prepared. Refugees may not know where they are going to be resettled and we see many here in Kansas City wearing flip flops in the dead of winter.
3. When I go to get a prescription filled at a pharmacy, if I have a question, I can ask the pharmacist what to do because he/she speaks English. For a refugee, there may be no one that speaks their language there. How will they understand to completely take all the medication…even when they start to feel better?
4. Google translate is a pretty amazing tool to converse in another language.
5. Jesus was a refugee. He and his family were fleeing persecution, right?
6. Under 50,000 refugees will come into the USA this year, it is estimated. There are over 65 Million refugees worldwide.
What’s something simple that you take for granted? Thank God for it now!