Dear Syrian Refugees

Dear Syrian refugees,

Welcome to America. More specifically, welcome to Louisiana.

I know there are a lot of folks saying you should go back home. “Back to where you came from.”

Ignore those people.  I know they’re loud, but just do your best to ignore ’em.

Most of us know the idiots who did those awful acts of atrocity in Paris had no connection to you as they snuck into your group, probably in the middle of the night as their first act of cowardice.

We also know you literally don’t have a home anymore.

And you know what? Some of us in south Louisiana know exactly what that’s like.

The great majority of us stand ready to welcome you and one of the ways we welcome folks in Louisiana is to show them a good time.

In these parts, that usually revolves around food, music, food, football, food, family and more food.

Sometimes, around this time of year, we combine all of those into one magical experience called a tailgate – here’s hoping you get to experience one – the kids will love it.

Maybe I can join you at the tailgate and if so, maybe I could tell you about my friend Jesus – cause you see, we’re also a spiritual bunch here in the South.

We love us some Jesus.

Yeah. I know. You might not have a favorable impression of Christianity.

And while that really bums me out, I hope your time in Louisiana changes that.

I hope someone welcomes you as Christ would.

I hope someone treats you like they’d like to be treated.

I hope someone takes care of you.

I hope someone treats you like family.

As my friend, Rev. Fernie Rivera reminds us every Sunday, I hope we “give you heaven”.

And when we do, my prayer is that you know this – we love because we worship a God who first loved us and continues to love us, despite our incredible habit of screwing up.

Oh – and for that one Syrian refugee who is now in Baton Rouge? I hope you are reading this, and if you are – I’d like to invite you and your family to First United Methodist Church.

We love to celebrate and share God’s love through Jesus Christ and we have a great time doing it.

We’re pretty easy to find – just look for the neon cross – you can see it from the interstate.

We like to think of it as a beacon of hope. Seriously. It really is.

(Oh yeah – and about that interstate – I apologize in advance for all of those cars. We call it ‘traffic’ and it really stinks.)

Well…anyway…welcome.

Or as we Louisianians love to say, “Welcome ya’ll!”

And as we Christians love to say, “God loves you and there’s nothing you can do about it.” 

Peace,

Todd