November 21, 2024

by | Nov 21, 2024 | PS from PS | 0 comments

ps from pk


God’s blessings overflow. 
 
 
In a 24 hour period at St. Paul’s, a recovery group shared stories of healing and offered each other strength. Burritos were prepped and sent out into the community. Bikes were worked on and new volunteers were recruited. Student art was proudly displayed and showed off in the Family Support Center. The youngest among us were cared for during pre-school at Pixie Village and voices were raised together in sacred song with the Lutheran Chorale. 
 
Our buildings were literally bursting with joy and promise, community and support. Blessings overflowing! Right out of our buildings and into the world. 
 
BUT WAIT! There’s more! 
 
We also welcomed the al-Hafyan family to Buffalo! They arrived at the airport late Tuesday night. Our refugee resettlement team and others used their blessings of time to help clean and set up the Kahle House. Other team members used their blessings to grocery shop and order a Syrian meal. And you all answered the call to bless the family and house with furniture and groceries. 
 
In the wait for the al-Hafyan family to arrive, we wondered if we’d done enough. If we had the right things in the house or the right supports in place. But God’s blessings overflow! 
 
We discovered at the airport that the al-Hafyan family was greeted not only by St. Paul’s, and their caseworker, but by extended FAMILY! The family’s parents and siblings, nieces, nephews and cousins were all there. Grandma met a grandchild for the first time in the arrival area. Brothers too long separated embraced. After being separated for over 9 years a family was reunited. (Mostly. There are still some siblings in Jordan
 
Suddenly what felt like too little felt like abundance. A house once empty is now overflowing with laughter and a family ready to begin life here in the United States. Overflowing joy and promise. Overflowing community and support. 
 
May we experience God’s blessings of joy and promise, community and support in our own lives.  May it fill us up to overflowing so that it can burst out from us and into the world. 
 

Blessings,
pk