Family from Afghanistan will move into Compassion House

It took many hands and many hearts to build the Compassion House. The 2,200-square-foot home, on the property of the Lancaster (Pa.) Brethren in Christ Church, is the fruitful result of a partnership between Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS), Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), and Church World Service (CWS).

Soon, a family from Afghanistan—a husband, wife, and seven children ages 6, 9, 10, 15, 16, 19 and 21—will move into the newly renovated home, where they will live for one year. They arrived in the United States on Nov. 19.

As the home waits for inspection, the family is residing in temporary housing provided by MCC.

The home was renovated largely by MDS volunteers and members of the Lancaster Brethren in Christ Church.

Bob Nafziger, a volunteer from the MDS Lancaster Unit who spent many hours working on the home, finished the final touches before inspection. “I’ve learned over the years that you get a lot more out of this than you put in it,” he said, reflecting on the feeling of service in the name of God.

As church member John Sauder strolled through the home on Nov. 17—the evening it was officially dedicated—he recalled how much work the structure needed. “We had to tear just about everything in here down,” he said.

Now, the home has a whole new interior—right down to kitchen cabinets crafted and shipped from the MDS cabinet shop in Kansas.

Rolando Flores, South-central Pennsylvania Program Coordinator for MCC East Coast, explained that MCC’s involvement is through MCC’s Open Arms Program, which brings together organizations and congregations to provide a holistic support system to refugees in south-central Pennsylvania.

“It is great to connect MCC, MDS, CWS, and the church in this way,” he said.

Penny Gushiken, Community Sponsorship Supervisor for CWS, worked to help locate and select a family in need. “We are thrilled with this partnership and the way it will bring this family into a new life,” she said.

Joshua Nolt, pastor at the Lancaster Brethren in Christ Church, during the dedication service, said it was impossible to name everyone who was involved in this project.

“You are here tonight because in some way you have been a part of making the Compassion House a reality,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if that part was large or small.”

An evening of prayer and fellowship connected many of those involved.

“We’ve undertaken this work because it’s part of our story, and part of our identity as God’s people,” said Nolt. “It all began with a phone call in 2023 from our neighbors who owned the property.”

They wanted to know if the church was interested in purchasing the home. “It was a sore sight for eyes—not sight for sore eyes,” said Nolt, describing the condition of the home. “The church in six weeks raised $125,000 dollars and pledged another $150,000 to pay the place off.”

The renovation could never have happened without MDS volunteers, said Nolt. “You all are amazing,” he said. “This wouldn’t have happened without you.”

Church World Service refugee settllement house, The Compassion House. Pastor Joshua Nolt blesses the Welcoming Teams.