Ponds Reformed Church Opens Doors and Hearts to Syrian Refugee

January 12, 2016

The words “open and affirming” written on a sign outside the Ponds Reformed Church in Oakland, New Jersey, were a beacon of hope for Syrian refugee Sandy Khabbazeh.

Just a few months earlier, she was in her home town of Aleppo where she survived a bombing attack that left more than 20 of her college mates dead in the adjoining classroom. The road she took to school was also perilous – Sandy was shot while walking to school and has witnessed young women being kidnapped by terrorist organizations.

Originally, Sandy’s parents planned to first send her brother George to America on a student visa, then save money to send Sandy. After the bombing and continued abduction of young women, her parents decided to get Sandy out of harm’s way by getting her out of the country.

The long journey began with a 17-hour bus ride from Syria to Beirut, followed by a flight to the U.S. where relatives in New Jersey had agreed to take Sandy in. While she had a place to lay her head at night, Sandy’s relatives locked her out of the house each morning when they went to work. Determined to make the most of her opportunity, Sandy spent her days studying in the local library and exploring her new neighborhood.

“In October 2014 there was a knock on the church door. A woman stood there asking if she could pray in the sanctuary and if we had a Bible to give her,” recalls Rev. Nathan Busker, NBTS Alumnus (M.Div. ’95, D.Min. ’07) and senior pastor of Ponds Reformed Church. “That is how our relationship with Sandy began…helping a young Syrian refugee seeking peace in prayer and God’s word.”

The church did more than pray with her; with the help of Ponds, Sandy was granted “Protected Status” by the U.S. government which allows her to work. Sandy holds a Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from a university in Syria. She discovered an opportunity to work in New York City as a concrete inspector, so she got a job at Subway to pay for the courses and testing fees. She passed the exam and is now working as a certified concrete inspector.

Ponds also provided Sandy with tuition support that ensured her continued participation in Rutgers University’s Program in American Language Studies, which provides high quality English language instruction to non-native English speakers for academic, professional, business, and social purposes.

The Busker family opened their hearts and home to Sandy; she now lives with them with a goal of supporting herself and eventually her family when they come to the U.S. from Syria. For more information on how to help support Sandy and her family, contact Rev. Nathan Busker at ponds@pondsnj.org.

Nathan Busker served churches in New Jersey, Iowa and Colorado before returning to New Jersey to serve Ponds Reformed Church as the senior pastor in 2004. Nathan served on the Board of Trustees of NBTS for two terms and as moderator for two years before completing his term.

Other news coverage of the story:

Video: Syrian Refugee Living in New Jersey: ‘I Found Peace’ – from NBC 4 New York

Syrian student finds sanctuary at Oakland church – from NorthJersey.com