d i s p l a c e d ,
[re]fugee: a person forced to leave their h o m e
to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster –
people d i s p l a c e d
moved from their proper position –
streets of mud beneath strings of laundry lines
sheet metal houses reflect in the sunlight
air thick & h e a v y
people stare out at us,
but there is something d e a d
just behind the corner of their eyes.
but the kids,
the kids,
the kids come running,
they pour out, a flood
around the van, chanting, chanting,
“oromo!” “forengee!”
their yellowed gazes search us,
dirt streaked hands and fingernails
flies settling in their open wounds,
reaching out,
little hands,
massive h e a r t s
(they just want to be l o v e d ; )
and there are too many
(and not enough)
they fight over clutching at just
one finger, the end of a jacket,
little girls grab at one another
pick up stones
(s t i c k s & b o n e s )
maybe the only way to feel safe
in this place is with the k i s s
of a f i s t
but even so, the tin roofs
s h a k e beneath the sound
of children’s l a u g h t e r
and we know that you have to bring f l o w e r s
when faced with barrels of g u n s –
love is always the answer.
and that’s all we have
it’s all we can give
is it enough?
this camp is seven months old.
somali and oromo refugees
400 homes, about 3000 people
fleeing from boarder conflict
and persecution
the oromo are the biggest
tribe in ethiopia – and they have
been working hard to provide
education and opportunities for their people
because of this, according to our host,
they are persecuted and other tribes
want to make them weak –
forced to leave their l i v e s
behind, for this
still, by refugee camp standards,
it is considered good –
(it’s heart w r e n c h i n g )-
i swallow and look around,
foot stuck in the mud and –
this is a camp that several
international organizations have attempted
to reach, but have been turned down
and yet our host was able to
make the connection
to get people in there –
not just us, and we volunteer
teaching english, math, songs,
and play with the children
but also medical teams
and other teachers –
God makes a w a y
the camp is primarily muslim
and we cannot discuss our faith
but i believe that our God is love
and if we show love
then He shows u p
the thing is though, these kids,
these kids are teaching me
because it’s hard. honestly. it’s
hard for me to come and love without
inhibition and a little f e a r –
and God asked me how He loves us –
how we can run to Him, dirty and filthy
and crying and He will embrace us
would i do the same for these children?
(hacking coughs and runny noses
and l i c e and how do i – )
the answer is yes.
you see those faces and
there isn’t even a question
(but maybe a tremor of hesitation)
but these kids – the way they
love us –
they are the example
not us – they show us what it looks
like to love recklessly and without abandon
holding nothing back and
giving everything and that
that is what God’s love
looks like.
that’s how we should come to God.
holding nothing back.
and with everything we have.
(and that’s how we should
love others, in return).
maybe they are displaced but they
but they sure knew how to put me in m i n e
[be]stowed: to be put in specific place.
(lavish, h e a p upon).
.