The Grief of Leaving Home

Asylees, refugees, migrant workers, and international students all have left behind family and friends they love as well as the sights, sounds, and smells that they know. While some may have come with excitement and eager expectation others are here because leaving their home was essential for their safety and survival. All those who have moved to a new country, have experienced grief in the transition process. Grief can be from tangible loss such as belongings, home, and favorite foods, or intangible loss such as being known, respected, and understood. Grief can be temporary or a permanent loss. Learn how to help your friends identify and name what they have lost so they can mourn. Learn what mourning can look like in various cultures. Hear stories about walking through grief with friends or in a small processing group for resettled immigrants.

Donna and Keilah will teach this webinar. Donna has been in ministry for over 40 years. She became passionate about the needs of immigrants after befriending a Syrian refugee family. She loves to build genuine relationships and to walk alongside immigrants as they navigate their new home country. Donna serves as Outreach Director at her church and is an Affiliate staff with Cru’s Immigrants, Internationals and Refugees (IIR) ministry. She co-authored the Finding Home Again guide. Keilah can relate to the plight of refugees and immigrants as she has experienced a sudden traumatic loss of community, stability, and trust. Her grief and homesickness have served to deepen her longing and joy for her eternal home with Jesus. She has been sharing the gospel with internationals for several years, and currently serves with the City ministry of Cru reaching her local Japanese community.