The Fugees

Luma Mufleh is from Jordan. She is Muslim. She grew up in a wealthy family and came to the U.S. in the late 90's where she earned her degree from prestigious Smith College. She ended up in Atlanta where she worked as a waitress, a grocery clerk, and office help for a charity. In 2004 she was driving through Atlanta to get supplies for her fledgling coffee house when she stumbled onto 10 boys playing soccer in the parking lot of an apartment complex. It was obvious they were foreign as they played in bare feet on asphalt knocking a worn out soccer ball around.

She returned a few days later sporting a brand new soccer ball. The rag-tag group of refugee boys from Afghanistan and Sudan weren't too sure about the "older" lady, but they wanted that white, leather ball so they agreed to let her play. Luma got an idea. How about a team? Along with three of the boys she had gotten to know they posted fliers in Arabic, English, French and Vietnamese advertising the team. Twenty-three kids turned out, all refugees from war torn countries, legally brought to the U.S. by relief agencies.

What started as a little pick up game has turned into a full blown national story of compassion, justice, education, dignity, restoration and the creation of a foundation. Soccer was the entry point, but Luma had more on her mind and heart for these boys from the war torn countries like Liberia, Congo, and Sudan. If they wanted to play on the YMCA sponsored "Fugee" team they had to sign a contract with Luma committing to homework, tutoring, agreeing to make education their focus as well as avoiding tobacco, drugs and alcohol. Hollywood bought the rights to the story which will eventually get to the big screen, but it enabled Luma to solidify the Fugee Families Foundation. She has also started a cleaning company called "Fresh Start" providing employment for refugees and immigrants from all over the world.

What started as a trip for supplies for a fledgling coffee house has given birth to a foundation and a non-profit company helping people. Today there are four "Fugee" soccer teams with about 100 kids (all refugees) ages 12-16.

One woman in her early 30's had a vision of something better for a group of boys who couldn't see beyond their next meal. Her Jordanian grandmother, a woman who was known for feeding everyone who came to her home and never turned anyone away, inspired her. Her story should inspire every one of us to help the foreigner/alien among us. I know there are strong feelings about immigrants in the U.S. right now, and I am a strong proponent of legal immigration, but Christ-followers have a mandate to feed and care for the widows, orphans and indigent from our Lord. (James 1:27; Ezek. 47:22; Mal. 3:5; Exod. 23:9). The Good Samaritan did not stop to ask if the man he helped had a green card. He simply helped someone in need. Like Luma, like the Good Samaritan, like Millard Fuller, like Truett Cathy, like Mother Teresa, so should we!