Preschool help is something that always seems to be needed in so many areas of ministry. Where are the people who are “called” to love on the little children? As adults, are we not all called to stop and offer care and love to little children? It’s true, there are many people who are not comfortable being around infants, toddlers, or children of any age. I’m sensitive to that. But, what happens when our children are not receiving the time they so desperately need with a compassionate adult? When life brings all of its problems to families, the children seem to get put on hold and often miss out on the love and security they need to thrive.

Children will grow up regardless of how much attention or opportunity they have had. What kind of teenage or adult person are they when they have failed to have their basic needs for nurture and love met over and over. Perhaps that is part of what is wrong with our world today. We’ve got missing fathers. Absent moms. Wandering siblings. Unconcerned relatives. Complacent neighbors. Depressed societies. Broken families.

Who will love the littlest of the least of these? Asha’s Refuge has committed each Wednesday and Friday to helping disadvantaged refugee women learn english. Many of the women have found themselves in “stuck” situations. Perhaps they were once children who were mere tag-alongs as their families struggled through the war-torn country-sides. Many have disabilities or children with disabilities, no education, are single parents, perhaps with multiple children. Their circumstances can keep them from being able to get out and tap into the resources they need to rise above the circumstances that continue to press them down. These mothers must quickly learn enough english to get a job to support their children financially. They are unable to go to educational classes because they cannot leave their young children at home alone. They must take their children with them. Asha’s Refuge has committed to helping to prepare the children for preschool or Kindergarten while their mothers are being tutored in english. The opportunity to love on a child is huge. The opportunity to show care to a mother through loving her child is also huge.

Asha’s Refuge is blessed to have Kortney join our volunteer staff as Preschool Coordinator. She has committed to helping organize the preschool/kindergarten readiness program. But, she needs help. Each Wednesday and Friday we have 10-15 children that come with their mothers to enjoy a few hours of learning time. Kortney is working to teach many children who were born in refugee camps a new way of life. The American world is so different to them. Some come to Kortney scared and unsure. Some come with behavioral problems. Some children come anxious but excited about what their morning promises. The needs of the refugee children are often a little different from what is typical of those in an American preschool program. Most of the children have never been in an organized learning center and cannot speak english; this presents a real challenge for Kortney as she works to teach them positive behavior and learning skills.

Working with refugee children takes patience, persistence and lots of love. Asha’s Refuge needs some committed adult helpers. If you or someone you know would like to help us with our preschool/kindergarten readiness program from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM on either Wednesday or Friday (or both days), please pray about it and let us know by emailing jamie@ashasrefuge.org or kortney@ashasrefuge.org.

Whatever you did for one of the least of these, you have done for me. Matthew 25:40