My time spent with Asha practicing English has proven to be helpful! Other than the past couple of weeks in the Messick ESL program, I have invested a lot of my time tutoring Asha in her home (her disability prevents her from getting to the group ESL classes) and in our apartment, D2 and Asha’s really learning English! I’m so excited for her. Every time I talk to her I can tell she has picked up more and more vocabulary and learned to pronounce things so much better. I used to call her on the phone and not be able to carry on a very simple conversation. It was hard to let her know I was on my way to study or visit with her. I always had to hope she would be at home after I drove the 30 minutes to her house. Asha and I are beginning to be able to have short phone and face to face conversations now and it is so exciting! It’s so sweet. I’m very proud of her efforts to learn English. She has been a great student.

Other ladies are learning more English and beginning to carry on better conversations with us now. There are still many challenges but I am enjoying seeing my friends grow and learn over the past months and years. It gives me hope that the time Asha’s Refuge, Refugee Empowerment, Catholic Charities, Messick Schools or other ESL schools or tutoring sessions are investing is worthwhile. Our refugee friends have more than one place that they can take English and that is good because it seems the more often they can practice the faster they can learn it. I wish there were a complete immersion program for them right after they arrive.

Asha’s Refuge offers English tutoring to disadvantaged refugee ladies on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10-12. Sometimes I wish it were longer than 2 hours but our moms usually have children to tend to and errands to run. One day we may add Monday ESL.

The time we spend with them typically extends outside of just learning English and that’s okay with us. In fact there is rarely a day when we are not asked to help in situations with a refugee that doesn’t pertain to our English learning time at all. Our staff’s weekly calendars are usually filled up with appointments scheduled to help our friends outside of the ESL needs. We enjoy making ourself available to our friends. We believe the conversations we have regarding their everyday need still really helps with their English and helps us to better encourage and love them unto Christ. We play charades a lot and the Lord helps clarify a lot to us. It’s interesting how it all works out.

The needs outside of ESL are great. We often need friends willing to help us help our refugee friends run errands or go to the doctor. It’s a great time to build relationships. Sometimes our refugee friends just want to get out and explore the Memphis area. I’ve taken some of my friends shopping, to the park and a class to the zoo. I took a couple of refugee young girls with my daughter to their first movie. The time spent with my refugee friends is always truly special.

Asha’s Refuge needs people willing to spend some of their time with our friends from other countries. We are praying that real friendships and connections will grow. Maybe one-to-one mentoring and encouraging can happen. There are men, women, teens and children that just need a friend, big sister or big brother. One would have to be willing to invest their time. Could you help? Do you have time that you are willing to share with others? Are you interested in making a new friend? If so, let us know by contacting any of our staff through the “contact us” page. And, thank you for your willingness to get involved. I believe there is a blessing waiting for you as you step out and make time for someone else in need. May the Lord have His way.