Defiance

It was refugee week here in London recently.

I was blessed to interview two incredible women at a local church who were reaching out to people seeking asylum here in the UK.

They didn’t seek this ministry. It sort of happened when a hostel on their street started accepting people, many of whom fled persecution and war, seeking sanctuary in this country.

Their compassion and heart to follow Jesus’ commands to love God and our neighbours with everything they had were deeply encouraging.

Especially in this political climate where there is massive distrust of refugees and asylum seekers. Of migrants in general for that matter.

In the same week, I went to a Refugee Week event hosted by Together in the UK. A charity that provides migrant writers and poets, many with lived experience of forced migration, with a platform to share their stories.

As I sat in the room, the evening sunlight on my back, I realised that their lives, their stories, their tenacity were an act of defiance. They were not going to let their experiences destroy the goodness from their lives.

This Haiku is inspired by the people I met that week.

Defiance

In a fallen world

Hope is an act of courage

Joy is defiance