My gift this Christmas came in the form of a family. Unique circumstances brought them to us. Something we never imagined.

This election year was the most contentious ever. One of the big issues was immigration. More accurately – illegal immigration. My personality type likes things done properly and in order. While I am not against immigration, I had strong feelings about things done legally. Fast forward to real time. We have taken in a family from Venezuela. They have been with us for six weeks.

CHAOS IN VENEZUELA

Like most Americans, I had no idea what was happening in that country. If you google, “current news from Venezuela” you will find news of horrific circumstances. Foremost is starvation. Thousands are fleeing daily to Columbia for food. During a recent prison riot, three inmates were eaten.

The inflation there is over 500 % this year. In fact, most countries will not accept Venezuelan dollars – bolivars. What used to buy a decent used car now buys a jar of Nutella, if you can find one. Store shelves are bare. Government offices are open two days a week because they can’t pay the workers. The country is in free fall.

Many people remember the crazy former president Hugo Chavez. His chosen successor, Nicholas Maduro, is worse. His family and cronies have depleted the treasury, and oil-rich Venezuela cannot pay its foreign debt.

My adopted family is here on a tourist visa. They are here legally. They have no country to go home to. We have seen a lawyer to do things properly. What I have found is that hard-working, humble, law-abiding immigrants have a next to impossible time immigrating into the United States.

TRULY ADOPTED

We have truly adopted them in every sense of the word. Our Spanish is getting better, and their English is improving. While they are a great family, there have been bumps, inconveniences, and miscommunications. Our family traditions have been altered to keep us away from loved ones during the holidays. It’s a sacrifice we willingly make.

What is surprising is some of the comments from Christian “friends” to us. “They’re not your responsibility,” or even the well-meaning, “God bless you for doing this.”

First, when I read the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10, I understand it IS my responsibility. When someone says, “God bless you for doing this,” it almost offends me. I realize not everyone thinks they can take in a family. But who among us called followers of Jesus, can sit by and do nothing to help people? John 13:35 tells us, “By this, all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.” Romans 12:13 also tells us to, “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”

Before I come across as super spiritual let me confess I am not. It was easy for me to pontificate when I had food, shelter, and an income. What if the situation was reversed? What if I was approaching 60 years old having lost everything but a suitcase that I had worked for? Then dropped into a country I did not speak the language?

FLESH AND BONE

I had fairly rigid views on immigration. It changed when I put flesh and bones on the issue. Seeing the struggle they go through and the hard work they are willing to endure humbles me. They are willing to do the work 99% of Americans would refuse. I have never heard them complain or grumble. Their happy disposition early in the morning overwhelms my capacity to process in my half-awake brain. I asked the father to ratchet down his chirpiness one morning last week – haha.

My gift this year is more clarity to see people the way God sees us. He doesn’t see us as ethnic groups or citizens of a country. This does not mean I’m not patriotic. It is the blessing God has given America to be able to help countries (and people) in need. How can we withhold those blessings when we all have so much?

I feel we didn’t have the option to refuse. Perhaps God simply worked in our hearts, and the timing was right. However, I did not sense a pull or any special revelation telling me to help. I prefer the more practical method of the Good Samaritan. There was a need; I had the means to help, so there was no doubt.

Not everyone is called to open their home, but we are all called to display the gospel. We learn as we get older. At least we should, or we will not grow as an individual. The season provides a perfect backdrop.