The spirit of Thanksgiving manifested in the bustling city of Dallas as Gateway of Grace, a local non-profit, opened its arms to embrace refugees from across the globe, serving up a bountiful feast at Saint Matthew's Cathedral Episcopal Church. Some who had never before witnessed the conviviality of an American Thanksgiving found a place among natives to give thanks in a land that is swiftly becoming their new home per FOX 4 News.
"Me and my family, we are, for seven years, refugees in Turkey," Iranian refugee Justin Rahimi relayed. "After that, we came to the United States one and a half years ago." These refugees, heralding from eight different nations, have made the arduous journey to North Texas, some providing invaluable assistance to U.S. military operations in their home countries, and all thoroughly vetted by governmental agencies according to FOX 4 News.
With hearts as wide as the Texas sky, volunteers from local churches and members of the community partnered with Gateway of Grace to support these new residents in tangible ways—teaching them English, assisting with job searches, and providing much-needed childcare. The act of serving Thanksgiving meals was only a piece of a broader narrative of service and kinship. "This is a wonderful event. Man, when we get a chance to show love to people who have been displaced from all across the world, and what a wonderful way to express whatever religious belief that you have, right?" Rev. Donald Parrish Jr. of True Lee Missionary Baptist Church stated as per FOX 4 News.
The fabric of benevolence does not drop from the ether; it is woven by those who once sought its warmth. Take, for example, Awel Deng, a former refugee from South Sudan now bearing the mantle of American citizenship, who felt compelled to pay forward the generosity she once received. "It's important for me to give back because I was them, I was new to this country, I was finding my footing and my place and everything, and if it feels like so nice to help people," Deng said as quoted by FOX 4 News.
Gateway of Grace tirelessly works to acclimate refugees to a life full of promise and potential. With English lessons, financial literacy classes, and even trauma counseling, this organization serves as a compassionate intermediary for over 250 refugees across 20 countries. "They are probably still, to some degree, traumatized by what they experienced," Gateway of Grace Chief Operating Officer Dennis Page said as per Audacy.
