I usually try hard not to let my emotions push me to react in a way that would cause others around me to begin to respond to needs in a frantic way. I’m to be the calm one in the chaos and hardship (God has shown me through His preparation of many years). I cannot hold back today. Help! May Day!

How can I gain the attention of like minded people in my city? There is no agenda, only a heart compelled by Christ to stand up and beside those who suffer. I’m a friend trying to be a light in the dark world and a caring, compassionate and gentle one amidst the anxiety and confusion in the world. I don’t claim to be perfect or know everything. But there are times when I get fed up! I can often see from the inside to the outside and from the outside to the inside and I believe with all my heart it is past time to stand stronger and bolder for the sake of the Kingdom. It’s past time for the light of truth to be made known and I pray that God will come quickly to help us in this time of distress.

I started Asha’s Refuge to help fill gaps in the refugee resettlement system in my city. It had and has nothing to do with competition, prestige, power or money, but everything to do with the heart which God has placed inside of me. I tried to run from this line of work but the Lord continued to draw me in. I have not suffered through the typical worlds suffrage of war, famine and terror, but I have fought in a battle between good and evil within my own life and family for all of my existence. I may not understand a lot, but I understand heartache brought on by the wrongful acts of others. The silence of others watching as they hear or see real suffering amazes me. Questions often rotate in ones mind of whether or not a persons suffrage is due to their own carelessness, negligence or irresponsibility. Good people in the Lord can let confusion, fear or their own worldly desires lead them to remain silent or distant from the very ones that need a loving and helping hand. We can sometimes use phrases like “help others help themselves” to cause us to throw teasing crumbs at the needy or to not help them at all. It sickens me. There is a balance, yes, but, only the Spirit can lead us to know. And sometimes, maybe even most of the time, I believe the Spirit of the Lord asks us to risk it ALL. Who are we to try to decide if a person is suffering because of their own mistakes? And so what if they are the cause? I wonder if one person with the right heart to reach in to a lost soul could make all the difference in the world…you know, Grace.

What direction should I go Jesus? I need you to lead me, show me. Inside I feel like its May Day, times up…time to cry out for real help.

This morning I was with a refugee lady who looks to be about 65 who is only in her mid 40s. She has a curable cancer but it scared her terribly into thoughts that her life could be over soon and that her 16 year daughter would struggle in America on her own. She began to cry as she knew she was the strong woman who many other young women looked up to. She started speaking of her thoughts to sign her daughter over into my care. She expressed to me more and more of the difficulties she was having and her need for simple things like trash bags (Food Stamps do not buy things like this and she currently has no cash assistance). Of course she needs a house she can afford, a car for her daughter to learn to drive to help them out with transportation and a job. I cried. She cried. We cried. We hugged and we cried again. I wish I could build her a house myself!

Who am I to help her? Asha’s Refuge currently has a little over $1,500 in our account. We do not take government funding which means no government grants. Our heart is to seek provision from God through His people. We need real help. I don’t know how to market ourselves and frankly do not have the time to devote to that since I am always working at a ground level with my refugee friends. We need monthly supporters. We need one time donations. We do not only need trash bags and soaps but we need money. Our dream is to have a safe place for refugee women and families in this situation. The name Asha means, “hope”. We aim to be “A Place of Hope”. The small things are appreciated and needed, but we truly need to move towards this Place of Hope. We need your help. Please talk to your small groups your church and your friends in businesses about supporting refugees through Asha’s Refuge. You can always donate through Paypal right here online if that’s easier. And, thank you. I’m serious. Thank you.