Today was an awesome day for Asha’s Refuge – the cherry on top of a wonderful week. Early voting is going on at New Bethel Church where our classes meet.  As our bus pulled into the parking lot, I shared with the ladies on-board why there were other people coming and going from the church building we use. Even though one of our ladies translated what I said for those with less English, most did not understand because the concept of democracy is totally unknown to them.

In my advanced English class we have been discussing the US Constitution and how our government works. This is challenging for my ladies but they are so anxious to learn because someday they hope to pass the US Citizenship test and become Americans. While most of us learned these things in middle school and our grades depended on learning, our citizenship did not depend on our ability to explain how America is governed. Many of us have probably forgotten most of what we learned about this in school and take for granted the unique way our country is governed.

Recognizing the rare opportunity to show my class democracy in action, I asked if they would like me to ask if the voting officials would talk to them about the process and they enthusiastically agreed. We were met by friendly officials who were very willing to talk with us. They explained about the ballot and walked us through the voting process. My students were amazed at the honesty, legal controls and secret nature of American voting.  They shared with us how voting works in African countries where people have to publicly declare their candidate choices and face serious danger from the opposition. They also described fraud in the election process.  They once again told me how good America is and how happy they are to be here. They said someone should tell African countries how to do this so they will stop fighting.

So tonight I will go to sleep with a renewed sense of gratitude for the incredible freedoms God has given to us as Americans and prayers for all who suffer under oppressive governments.