Beyond Assumptions: Embracing Our Shared Traits as Image-Bearers of God

It was my third week working at World Relief, and I had the privilege of shadowing a caseworker during her Initial Home Visit with a family of eight from the Middle East. Fortunately, this was the same family I had picked up from the airport the day before. I experienced two firsts with this family: my first airport pick-up and my first home visit, both of which felt like unexpected gifts. 

After the family’s long journey, we met them at baggage claim. Though they spoke little English, their joy at being in America was unmistakable. Their three younger children ran around excitedly while the older ones gathered their fourteen-plus bags. The parents, clearly exhausted, remained gracious as we guided them and led them to the vans. The children quickly overcame their shyness, and I loved making silly faces, getting laughs, and exchanging high fives with the little ones. When we arrived at the hotel and showed them around, their gratitude for our help was heartwarming. 

At the Initial Home Visit the next day, I sat quietly for two and a half hours as the caseworker relayed essential information through an interpreter. What might have seemed tedious to some, I found fascinating. It was intriguing to listen and observe as the family asked questions and received more information than I could process. Despite their exhaustion, the parents were kind and hospitable, while the little ones were eager to play. Their gratitude for World Relief’s assistance was evident in their numerous questions. For them, this was the first step toward hope—a new beginning for a better life. 

This experience reinforced my belief that many of us, as Americans, live in a bubble, often sheltered from the struggles of the world. Driving the family to the hotel, listening to them speak in a language I didn’t understand, I realized I had made assumptions about them and their culture before even meeting them. It made me reflect on how often I do this with others outside my own bubble. 

I didn’t know what to expect from my interaction with the family, but I was struck by how “normal” they were. While I noticed differences between us, I also saw the universal experiences of humanity. I saw parents making sacrifices to protect and love their children. I saw older children withdrawing in the face of a new and intimidating world. I saw younger children eagerly exploring their surroundings with curiosity and excitement. 

I felt immense gratitude for my own life experiences and privileges as I considered the long journey this family had made to find safety. They had left behind family, friends, jobs, homes, and their culture, but also violence and displacement. They arrived in a new country, confronted with unfamiliar circumstances, driven by the hope of something better. 

I only caught a glimpse of their refugee journey, but even that small window showed me how difficult it must have been. And yet, they persevered—traveling all this way in search of safety and a new beginning. Their resiliency, in the face of such overwhelming challenges, was truly inspiring. Now, they stand at the start of a fresh chapter, filled with hope despite the uncertainty ahead. I hope America greets them with kindness and support. More than that, I pray that believers in Jesus will reflect the gospel by offering them love and hospitality, helping them feel welcomed and cared for as they rebuild their lives. 

You can join World Relief in making a difference through walking alongside our newest neighbors as a volunteer.

Emma Lankford is the Good Neighbor Team Assistant for World Relief Upstate SC. She believes that intentional relationship building is a key factor in biblical discipleship and gospel proclamation, and in her role, she desires to provide local church members and community partners with opportunities to build intentional relationships by loving their neighbors well. She has a degree in Intercultural Studies from North Greenville University and is currently pursuing an opportunity to live on mission overseas.