​The altar of Église Catholique Sainte Germaine (Saint Germaine Catholic Church) in Calais, France. Photographer: Joseph Givens.

By Joseph Givens
Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Joseph and Rachel Givens accompany volunteers at the Maria Skobtsova House in Calais, France, where they offer hospitality and temporary accommodation to people fleeing dangerous situations, as they seek refuge on their way to the United Kingdom. Read more of the Givens' blogs.

I write this on the Saturday between Good Friday, when we remember our Lord's death, and Easter, when we celebrate his resurrection. It's an in-between time, during which Jesus lies dead in the tomb, hope is seemingly lost and promises remain unfulfilled. As I reflect on this, I can't help but connect it to the people we serve in Calais, France. They, like Jesus, are stuck in the in-between. They've completed some of the most difficult parts of their journeys already, having fled dangerous situations and endured unimaginable ordeals. They've made their way across Africa and the Middle East, over the Mediterranean, and across Europe, to Calais, France.

And now, they're stuck.

They're stuck waiting for the end of their journey, the promise of a better life in the United Kingdom. But rather than being welcomed or offered safe passage out of their terrible circumstances, they are dehumanized, beaten and tear-gassed while they are in France. But all they can do is wait. Wait for a better day, a time when they can achieve their dreams.

Because they hope their time will come, they endure the pain, the dehumanization and the strife, for a chance at a better, safer future for themselves and their children.

And like them, we know the in-between seems dark, but the sun rises on Easter morning, and with it, our hope is resurrected. The pain and the suffering that Jesus and the disciples experienced diminished in the joy of the resurrection.

This is the hope we preach. Because we know, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness doesn't extinguish the light" (John 1:5, Common English Bible). Even though the darkness seems impenetrable, the light is still shining. We rest in the hope of Easter, the hope of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

And we hold the hope of a future promised to us by our Lord, a future when there will be no more sorrow or sickness or death, a future made possible by the suffering and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Joy comes in the morning, with Easter.

So while we are in this in-between time, let us love our neighbor, who is also in a place of waiting, seeking a better future for themselves and their children. Rather than shutting them out, let us open the door and let them in, into our homes and into our hearts. Let us bring a taste of the future promised by Jesus to our world today. 

 

 

 Related articles

 

 

Exploring the history of colonialism and apartheid in South Africa — Just Peace Pilgrimage photosPhoto Essayhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/5149/Exploring-the-history-of-colonialism-and-apartheid-in-South-Africa-Just-Peace-Pilgrimage-photosExploring the history of colonialism and apartheid in South Africa — Just Peace Pilgrimage photosGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Cape Town and Johannesburg
Here with purpose: Wil LaVeistHere with purposehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/5105/Here-with-purpose-Wil-LaVeistHere with purpose: Wil LaVeistGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Here with purpose: Amber HenrichHere with purposehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/5107/Here-with-purpose-Amber-HenrichHere with purpose: Amber HenrichGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
A journey of reflectionPhoto Essayhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/5139/journey-of-reflectionA journey of reflectionGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Alabama & Georgia
Chadian brothers and sisters are teaching me about God’s relentless loveFaith and hopehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/5109/Chadian-brothers-and-sisters-are-teaching-me-about-God’s-relentless-loveChadian brothers and sisters are teaching me about God’s relentless loveGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Here with purpose: Kayci DetweilerHere with purposehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/5108/Here-with-purpose-Kayci-DetweilerHere with purpose: Kayci DetweilerGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Make a will: It’s never too early or too lateMake A Will Monthhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/5104/Make-a-will-Its-never-too-early-or-too-lateMake a will: It’s never too early or too lateGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Compassionate care to LaosSOUTHEAST ASIAhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/5101/Compassionate-care-to-LaosCompassionate care to LaosGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
A call for peace from Service Adventure participantsMennonite Actionhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/5100/A-call-for-peace-from-Service-Adventure-participantsA call for peace from Service Adventure participantsGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Washington, DC
Here with purpose: Gloria GuadarramaQ&Ahttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/5075/Here-with-purpose-Gloria-GuadarramaHere with purpose: Gloria GuadarramaGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Learning to listen withinMVS reflectionhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/5093/Learning-to-listen-withinLearning to listen withinGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Tucson, Arizona
Ted Gossard reflects on recent civil rights pilgrimageJust Peace Pilgrimagehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/5094/Ted-Gossard-reflects-on-recent-Civil-Rights-movement-JPPTed Gossard reflects on recent civil rights pilgrimageGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Journeys of hope "all through the night"Francehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/5092/Journeys-of-hopeJourneys of hope "all through the night"GP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476Calais
Assembly Mennonite youth group Just Peace Pilgrimage in photosPhoto Essayhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/5090/Assembly-Mennonite-youth-group-Just-Peace-Pilgrimage-in-photosAssembly Mennonite youth group Just Peace Pilgrimage in photosGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476South Texas
Sweaty flights and bulgogi: the first two days with the Youth Venture South Korea teamYouth Venturehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/5089/first-two-days-with-Youth-Venture-South-KoreaSweaty flights and bulgogi: the first two days with the Youth Venture South Korea teamGP0|#49a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633;L0|#049a01354-0a5e-4821-ba87-b9f6ba8b7633|Blog;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476

 

 

https://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/5061/Easter-calls-us-to-open-the-doors-of-our-homes-and-our-hearts

Joseph Givens serves with the Maria Skobtsova Housing Association in Calais, France, through Mennonite Mission Network.

 Related

 

 

Exploring the history of colonialism and apartheid in South Africa — Just Peace Pilgrimage photoshttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/5149/Exploring-the-history-of-colonialism-and-apartheid-in-South-Africa-Just-Peace-Pilgrimage-photosExploring the history of colonialism and apartheid in South Africa — Just Peace Pilgrimage photos
Here with purpose: Wil LaVeisthttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/5105/Here-with-purpose-Wil-LaVeistHere with purpose: Wil LaVeist
Here with purpose: Amber Henrichhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/5107/Here-with-purpose-Amber-HenrichHere with purpose: Amber Henrich
A journey of reflectionhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/5139/journey-of-reflectionA journey of reflection
Chadian brothers and sisters are teaching me about God’s relentless lovehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/5109/Chadian-brothers-and-sisters-are-teaching-me-about-God’s-relentless-loveChadian brothers and sisters are teaching me about God’s relentless love
Here with purpose: Kayci Detweilerhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/5108/Here-with-purpose-Kayci-DetweilerHere with purpose: Kayci Detweiler



 

 

Exploring the history of colonialism and apartheid in South Africa — Just Peace Pilgrimage photoshttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/5149/Exploring-the-history-of-colonialism-and-apartheid-in-South-Africa-Just-Peace-Pilgrimage-photosExploring the history of colonialism and apartheid in South Africa — Just Peace Pilgrimage photosPhoto Essay
Passion for service gave life new perspectivehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/5150/Passion-for-service-gave-life-new-perspectivePassion for service gave life new perspectiveConscientious objectors
New film, ‘Unexpected Peace,’ inspired by producer’s mission experiencehttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/5148/Unexpected-Peace-inspired-by-producers-mission-experienceNew film, ‘Unexpected Peace,’ inspired by producer’s mission experienceNew film
Immigration. Service. Justice.https://www.mennonitemission.net/video/webinars/here-with-purpose/5141/Webinar-Immigration--Service--JusticeImmigration. Service. Justice.Webinar #1
PSA: Service Adventure unit leaders aren’t house parents! 👪https://www.mennonitemission.net/video/5053/PSA-Service-Adventure-unit-leaders-aren’t-house-parentsPSA: Service Adventure unit leaders aren’t house parents! 👪Sevice Adventure
Meet Caleb and Stephanie – new Mission Network workers designated for Taiwan!https://www.mennonitemission.net/video/5147/Meet-Caleb-and-StephanieMeet Caleb and Stephanie – new Mission Network workers designated for Taiwan!International Ministries