“How many days until the baby is due?” asked Hannah as she pointed to the mother’s belly. The mother held up nine fingers.

I was accompanying Hannah and Dana Massey on a visit to a Syrian refugee family. We sat on mattresses on the floor that Hannah had been able to provide this family through the generosity of a donor. The apartment was less than ideal. Paint was peeling off the walls, there was no hot water, and the roof leaked. However, this family was very grateful not to be living in a refugee camp.

The oldest girl called her brothers, and they came running into the room, greeting us with big smiles. For the next hour we visited with this mother and four of her children. They only spoke a few words of Turkish, and neither Hannah nor I could speak Arabic. Hannah had given the children art supplies and the daughter showed us her drawings. Pointing at different things in the pictures, the children told us the Arabic words, Hannah told them the Turkish words and I told them the English words. I reflected on how wonderful it will be in heaven when language is no longer a barrier to communication.

Despite the language barrier, Hannah kept up a wonderful, animated conversation in Turkish, and I could tell this family really loved and appreciated her. The mother showed me the baby clothes and other items Hannah had given her. Using words and sign language, Hannah told the mother to call her when the baby was coming, and she would take her to the hospital. We ended the visit with prayer (something Hannah does each visit), and the mother and daughter kissed us on both cheeks.
Although the refugee crisis could be viewed as overwhelming with so many people needing help, Hannah has chosen to be used by the Lord to bless just a few families and build relationships with them. If you are interested in assisting with refugee work, please contact the AFM office. The ability to speak Arabic would be a real bonus.

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