In this episode, my guest, Bronwyn Lea and I discuss the impact of visas and the process of becoming permanent residents and ultimately citizens on immigrants. A native of South Africa, Bronwyn is a pastor, author, and former lawyer who now lives in Northern California in the U.S. She provides insight into how her vulnerable immigration status impacted her faith, identity, and relationships. Bronwyn discusses her book, ‘Beyond Awkward Side Hugs,’ in which she shares her view of relationships between men and women in the church. The episode offers an encouraging message for immigrants, highlighting the valuable perspectives and experiences they bring to their communities.

Takeaways:

1. The process of immigration, especially the paperwork involved can make immigrants feel vulnerable, lonely, stressed out, and/or frustrated. Listen to your immigrant friends when they share their frustrations with visas and pray specific prayer for and with them.
   
2. Many immigrants, like me, struggle with questions about identity and belonging in their initial years of moving to another country. I leaned into my identity in Christ and rehearsed biblical truths to get through my identity crisis. I realized God used my struggles to draw me to Himself and refine my faith.
   
3. No matter which passport we hold, as believers we are all citizens of God’s kingdom. We belong to God and to each other.
   

Watch on YouTube

https://youtu.be/78h8PucVasE

About Bronwyn

Bronwyn Lea wears many different hats: pastor of discipleship in her local church in Northern California, mom to three hilarious tween/teens, wife to fellow South African Jeremy, and editor and leadership coach with Propel Women. She is the author of Beyond Awkward Side Hugs, a practical and accessible guide to cultivating healthier community between Christian men and women. A former lawyer and seminary graduate, she cares about justice, truth, wisdom, quality relationships within the church, and emotionally healthy spirituality — so she teaches, writes, and pastors to equip others in these areas..

Connect with Bronwyn on Facebook.

Buy Bronwyn’s book, Beyond Awkward Side Hugs: Living as Christian Brothers and Sisters in a Sex-Crazed World, here.

Read Bronwyn’s articles that were discussed in this episode:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-you-dont-know-about-immigration_b_7216388

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/a-letter-from-a-white-soua-letter-from-a-white-south-african-to-white-america_b_7618544

Mabel is an author, speaker, and Bible teacher. An immigrant from India who has lived in seven cities across the U.S. in fourteen years, Mabel navigates between cultures, feeling at home everywhere and nowhere. In her award-winning book, Far from Home: Discovering Your Identity as Foreigners on Earth, Mabel draws from her personal experience as an immigrant and examines the lives of biblical heroes to shed light on how we can find purpose and joy as sojourners on earth.

Learn more Mabel here.

Buy Mabel’s book, Far from Home: Discovering Your Identity as Foreigners on Earth, on Amazon.

Buy Mabel’s book from End Game Press.

Download the tip sheet, Love Your Immigrant Neighbor : 5 Action Steps, here.

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