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The refugees often minister to church members through their "sense of God at work in their lives. They are convinced that God has brought them through tough times," she says. "That's a wonderful thing to experience for Americans."

Henry says Kachoul is continuing to study for his high-school equivalency diploma as he awaits his trial. The court has found a court-trained interpreter who speaks Dinka. Kachoul's next appearance will be October 17. There is no trial date yet.

Goodman says the church will continue to help Kachoul. "He's a part of our family, and we're going to stand by him all the way," Goodman says. "We're going to support him and pray for justice."

Henry says the church also has sympathy for the rape victim. "We don't know her name, but we've been intentional about asking others to keep her in prayer as well."

Herb Snedden, vice president for U.S. ministries at World Relief, says negative media stories about refugees can create emotional responses.

World Relief, the international assistance arm of the National Association of Evangelicals, resettles refugees in 27 areas in the United States and helps them connect with local churches. The organization helps an average of 25 refugees a month. Snedden says situations like the one in Arlington are rare.

"Whenever there is a negative thing that happens, that creates kind of a negative backlash," says Snedden, who has worked with World Relief-sponsored refugee resettlement programs for 20 years. "[People who help] realize they are doing it for Christ, and they are in it for the long term."

Goodman says the church—which is not working with World Relief—could not have anticipated Kachoul's situation. "We expect there to be some bumps along the road," he says. "This was a pretty tough one."

LaTonya Taylor is editorial resident at Christianity Today.

Copyright © 2001 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

See the Web site for St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Christianity Today recently reported that an estimated 4,000 Sudanese refugees will be resettled into America this year.

The International Rescue Committee has online information on its resettlement of Sudan's "Lost Boys."

World Relief has more on Sudan refugees and how to help.

The hate group National Alliance is also online.

In 1999, Christianity Today examined the challenges and potential rewards of resettling refugees.

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October (Web-only) 2001, Vol. 45