Welcoming the Stranger

I am leading a team of people to "adopt" a Somali Refugee family of eight next Wednesday, May 4th.  We will be assisting them acclimate to a new way of life here in the United States, including a new culture, language, climate, governing body, and soo much more!  Can you imagine having to start life over with nothing more than the clothes on your back?  I have tried to picture myself in the plight of a refugee and have failed to meld imagination and reality together. I pray I never have to... I believe we are all called to welcome strangers into our midst. "When a foreigner lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The foreigner living with you must be treated as one of your native born. Love him as you would yourself."
Leviticus 19: 33, 34

My handmade Etsy shop, Saxiib is named for the Somali word "Friend" pronounced "Saheeb".  My friendships with Somali Refugees has inspired my desire to create indie fashion clothing and accessories. Profits from Saxiib enable me to continue my work with the Somali people.  In honor of welcoming this new family, I am offering 20% off any one item in Saxiib. Use coupon code REFUGEE8 at check out to claim.

Scavenger or Scavenged?

Yes. It is true. I am a bottom feeder.  I relish in the act of scavenging for items that have been cast aside, discarded and unwanted.  I feel a sense of fulfillment when reclaiming an hidden treasure or a tattered relic from a rummage pile.  Though once forgotten, these salvaged scraps take on a whole new life when polished, cleaned or mended.  What do you feed on?  Could it be the hunt for the newest sale at the mall? Or what about the search for a new exotic vacation hot spot?  Myself, I am starved for the chance to track down more trails of reclaimed treasure and rummage piles.  Can I ever be satisfied?  Definitely not.  My flesh may be starved for leftovers for a life time!  But my soul...my soul is famished for more than just a surface scrubbing.  My spirit hungers for a deep cleansing and a need to be reclaimed from lost love.  Scavenging may be my passion but there is One more thorough in His probings than myself.  His name is Jesus Christ. Jesus is the ultimate Scavenger. He is the only One who can truly delve deep below the surface to cleanse us from our filth. 

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
 1 John 1:9

I have been scavenged by my Savior's Love.