1st Thursday of Lent

“On the day I called, you answered; you increased the strength of my soul.”

Psalm 137 (138):1-3,7-8

What does it feel like to be called an ‘asylum seeker’?

From 2018:For many of those who we accompany at JRS UK, being labelled an asylum seeker can feel like a burden. A barrier that prevents someone looking beyond and seeing who they are as an individual. For Hassan-Ali, he feels asylum seekers and refugees are being blamed for issues that are beyond their control. “The government and media try to blame the economic problems on refugees and asylum seekers”.

When you find yourself in such hardship, having already experienced a traumatic past, this hostility can have a terrible effect on someone’s welfare. Those seeking asylum often feel that they are lost in a world of confusion with little promise of a brighter future: “the life outside is not very good and promising for the refugees and asylum seekers.”

This is the third day we have reflected on Hassan-Ali’s experience of being labelled an asylum seeker. We may be feeling the weariness and burden such a label is for those who have to carry it.

Where in your life are you feeling wearied and overburdened?Spend some time in quiet asking the Lord to strengthen your soul to carry your burdens.

Places of revitalisation are often few and far between for our friends. At JRS UK, we offer various activity groups which help provide this opportunity. The chance to gather with other refugees and spend time expressing your creativity or learning a new skill has a very positive effect on our refugee friends confidence and wellbeing. Activities like the Open Writing Space give our friends respite from the worries of their status, space to be themselves and strength to carry on.

Read Jo’s blog about the Open Writing Space.

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