Life is full of surprises. I have been acutely aware of that ever since my wife heard the unforgettable words, “Yes, there’s the second head”. We simply didn’t have a clue she could be carrying twins until that life-changing moment.

Some surprises are not so welcome though.

Many people felt like that when the Home Office turned the army camp in Penally into a temporary home for asylum seekers last September and I was one of the many who believed it was not a suitable choice either for the men themselves or for the locals. To no one’s surprise though, our reasoned arguments fell on deaf ears. But now, in what seems to have been something of a major U Turn the camp has been closed and the men have been rapidly transferred to various other locations.

I was surprised to be asked to get involved as the lead chaplain at the camp, but I am so glad I did. Frustrating as it proved at times, given Covid restrictions, it was great to meet the men and I was hugely encouraged to see the multi-faith chaplaincy swing into action so effortlessly. It was good to get to know those working at the camp too both in a voluntary and professional capacity. They proved extremely supportive. Above all though, I have been amazed by the generosity shown to them by people from as far away as Cardigan and Swansea.

I was as horrified by the unpleasant scenes we encountered at the beginning of course, but I believe those demonstrations of unkindness were more than countered by the amazing acts of kindness and generosity I have been privileged to witness over the past six months. In fact, I was able to hand over more than three hundred gifts at Christmas as well as twenty ‘tablets’ to be used for chaplaincy and general use. These ‘tablets’ will now be used by asylum seeker families with children in Cardiff, and I am praying they prove as much an encouragement to them as they were to me.

‘Love your neighbour’ is a well-known maxim and our communities would be very much happier and healthier If we allowed it to shape the way we relate to each other. But few would know that it has its origin in the little-known Old Testament book known as Leviticus and even fewer would realise that the very same chapter contains a command to love the ‘aliens’ who were living in the land in the same way. In fact, it has been noted that the Old Testament reminds Israel of its obligations to aliens, widows and orphans some thirty-six times. It seems to me that God is trying to make a point!

If we want to live as God intends we will renounce racism, reject forms of patronising behaviour and abstain from anything that smacks of exploitation. If I had to flee my home in a desperate effort to find a new life I would not want to be viewed as just a ‘problem’ and I would not want to be seen as a mere number. I would like to be treated as a human being; someone who has been created in the image of God with the potential to make a massive contribution to the community in which I’d found a home.

And in finishing I would like to take the opportunity to thank all o you who have taken this piece of godly advice seriously in the last six months, whether you have faith ornot. I appreciate everything you have done to support what we were trying to do.