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Refugees: A Family's Search for Freedom and a Church That Helped Them Find It
"Refugees! A Family's Search for Freedom and a Church That Helped Them Find It" chronicles a church's journey resettling refugees of war. In time, the refugees opened the members' hearts to the plight of 'the other'. Bonus: Agencies, guidelines and committees for resettling refugees today.
214 pages, Paperback
Published July 16, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 3, 2025
I remain moved by this well-told tale. Once the US quit Vietnam, hundreds of families wanted to flee. One was the Nguyens: Father, Mother (Bi) and 3 kids.... after a harrowing sea journey to Malaysia, four of them reached a refugee camp, and were interviewed for placement in Ohio- and "won the jackpot" of refugees- sponsorship by a church in a town near Toledo, Ohio.
By "adopting" this family, the congregation, of the denomination Church of the Brethren, truly lived out their beliefs. The story is told by Jeanne, their pastor's wife. She happened to have a daughter about the age of the oldest Nguyen child as well as a 6 year old son. (The Nguyens came to American with the oldest 2 of their 3 children. The youngest girl grew up back in Vietnam, but they reunited with her when she was much older).
With painstaking accuracy Jeanne describes the Nguyen family and how they adjust to a Western, much more urban life. I truly loved this story- and Jeanne includes thoughtful details of how to (in today's world) welcome a refugee family, should you wish to follow the Church of the Brethren's inspiring example.
By "adopting" this family, the congregation, of the denomination Church of the Brethren, truly lived out their beliefs. The story is told by Jeanne, their pastor's wife. She happened to have a daughter about the age of the oldest Nguyen child as well as a 6 year old son. (The Nguyens came to American with the oldest 2 of their 3 children. The youngest girl grew up back in Vietnam, but they reunited with her when she was much older).
With painstaking accuracy Jeanne describes the Nguyen family and how they adjust to a Western, much more urban life. I truly loved this story- and Jeanne includes thoughtful details of how to (in today's world) welcome a refugee family, should you wish to follow the Church of the Brethren's inspiring example.
March 2, 2019
It’s weird reading a book where the characters are people you actually know. This book has great voice; I can hear Jeanne telling me every story. I enjoyed the “funny” stories and experiences, my heart was heavy during the sad parts. I admire Jeanne’s desire to have a story as well as in instructional manual on how to help refugee families. I think this book would be very beneficial for those wishing to help facilitate refugee placement within the USA.
August 31, 2017
"REFUGEES" by Jeanne Jacoby Smith. A quintessential American story. Well worth your attention. Whether or not you readily support refugee resettlement, this work can both inspire and reset your thinking at a time when we wonder what can we do to relieve the suffering of 65 million refugees in the modern era.” (Review by Claude Simmons)
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews