One Woman's Love for Generations of Refugees

It began in 1949, when the Church of the Brethren decided to work with the thousands of refugees the U.S. government allowed to enter into the United States. The Brethren Church decided that its congregations would sponsor 500 refugee families, and, in 1952, Guy and Naomi West opened their home to a family from Germany. For the Wests, it was the beginning of a long legacy of welcoming strangers. Starting with mainly European refugees after World War II, Naomi and Guy worked with the Church of the Brethren and Church World Service to host refugee families from every corner of the globe. After Guy passed away, Naomi continued the work in Bridgewater, VA. Now 95, she works with her church and the local CWS funded refugee resettlement office to make sure that refugees continue to be welcomed in Central Virginia. Her commitment to Church World Service is not limited to her work with refugees. She and her husband were also instrumental in starting the Bridgewater CROP Hunger Walk, and each year Naomi continues to be a faithful supporter of the event.

Visiting Naomi’s home, it is obvious that the love she has given to so many has been returned back to her. Wall hangings from Africa, paintings from Latin America, carved pieces from Europe—all have been given as expressions of appreciation for her hospitality and care. One Christmas card from a father of two now living in California seems to say it all. Sent along with a beautiful box of gifts, the card reads, “Dear Mother West, I am working now in California. While it is hard sometimes to get by, my children are doing well. I always think of you and thank you for your help for us.”

When speaking of the richness that working with refugees has added to her life Naomi said, “It’s been a joy. I don’t know of anything that I have enjoyed more. And it’s been an education, too!” The generations of refugees whose lives have been touched by “Mother West” might say that the joy has been theirs.

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