From Today’s Daily Mass Readings:
“I will establish my Covenant between myself and you, and your descendants after you, generation after generation”
Genesis 17:3-9
Throughout Lent, we invite you to journey alongside some of the refugees accompanied by JRS. As we listen to their stories, what do we learn about the nature of God’s covenant with us?
Ufuoma’s Story
When talking with Ufuoma, I was struck by how powerful her trust in God was. Her faith had been her anchor during difficult and uncertain times, helping her through the struggles of destitution and detention. At times on her journey, Ufuoma felt she had been forgotten, abandoned and overlooked, but she always found the strength in her faith to continue. “My sustenance has been in God. It has always been in God. Even in the lowest point and it looks like there is no way out and it is all frustration, there is still that hope in God.”
Inspired by how her faith has supported her along her journey, Ufuoma now wants to be able to support others. “It has given me hope that I can face my world and I can share my story and that will help someone whose head is buried down and is thinking that there is no way out.”
“He gives me that strength to move on and push on.”
Join us tomorrow as we rejoin Ufuoma on her journey.
#Do1Thing
Refused asylum seekers face many obstacles and barriers in the UK because of the ‘hostile environment agenda’, which makes resolving their situation more complicated. Like many of our refugee friends, Ufuoma draws on her deep faith as a constant source of strength during these uncertain times.
One such obstacle faced by refused asylum seekers is their forced inability to rent property. The Home Office have introduced a number of measures which make it more difficult for those without permanent residency to rent in the UK. Today we invite you to inform yourself about the Right to Rent legislation, and in doing so reflect on the impact this has on refugees such as Ufuoma who only wish to live safely in the UK.
Read the JCWI Report on the impact of the ‘Right to Rent’ Legislation
