Reach out to the new

MESSAGE SUMMARY

When we move to a new place it can be daunting and scary.  We feel that we are alone and we have to face a multitude of challenges.  Often when we get to a new place we have to get used to the different culture and that is a big challenge. 

Through this series we followed the journey of Ruth as she left her hometown to become a foreigner at a new place. Ruth was faced with the challenge of finding a steady source of food, and shelter overhead.  While Ruth was facing those issues, Boaz was the channel of blessing that God used to help her. 

Wings

• Through the conversations that Boaz and Ruth had, we can recognize how God spread His wings over her to provide her with refuge.
• The word "wings" often went hand in hand with the word "refuge" to provide an image of God taking care of those in need.
• And that was precisely what Boaz did. He was the channel of blessing that God chose to provide refuge for His people. 

Redeemer

• Boaz could step in as the one who spread his wings to provide refuge for Ruth and Naomi, because of his connection to them.
• He was one of the redeemers that could help them out.
• The word redeemer holds a deeper meaning than just one who could provide financial help.
• In biblical terms, the word redeemer shows how God made provision for those who are unable to fend for themselves.
• Through that we see how God provides refuge for those under Him.
• Boaz was chosen to be the redeemer to Ruth and Naomi. Through him, refuge was provided. 

As we turn to the events happening around us, what can we as Christians do?
With the amount of new immigrants arriving we can reach out and help them to build a sense of belonging. 

There are three things that we can share with them to reach out:

1. Local Knowledge
   • Things that they do not know about the new local area we can share with them.
   • Help them to know the in and outs of the new neighborhood.
2. Local Network
   • Sharing with them the various reliable services that we have used before, would help to alleviate some of their challenges.
   • Share with them the network that we have built up over the years.
3. Local Surplus
   • We often have certain things lying around that we have ceased to use, hence we can share that with them.
   • Some of the extra things that we have around the house could be the things that they need yet do not have. 

Reaching out to them is only the first step, helping them to build a sense of belonging and welcoming them is what we can do next. 

MUSIC CREDIT