Wow! How very good God has been to us. Asha’s Refuge came back together after our summer break and met in our new shared building space at Highland Heights Baptist Church in the Binghampton/Highland area of Memphis. It took a lot of work getting the message across to the students that classes would begin today, a bus would arrive to pick them up and we would meet in a new location closer to their home. The preschoolers, moms and volunteers were all very excited about what the day would hold.

Christy and Kortney, our preschool teachers/coordinators, are always ready to accept the preschoolers with open arms. They seemed eager to see the children today and eager to let the children know they love them, but even more God loves them. Kortney and Christy allowed the children to have free play time in their new surroundings and then grouped them for small group learning. They played outside on their playground and seemed to truly love it. We are grateful for the learning space that has been provided for them.

The adult ladies were very happy to be back in their American Life and Language classes. It’s interesting how much they look forward to learning and being a student. So many of the women were not given the opportunity to go to school when they were young girls. Deborah, Angie and Britany played a game teaching the more advanced students opposites vocabulary. This game is something the students enjoy and it helps the vocabulary stick in their minds a lot better. It was wonderful to see Angie return to help us and Britany to come for her first class.

Sarah, Chris, Heather, Addison and Ashlen all worked more individually with the students in the basic class. It was sweet to see everyone so gently working together on handwriting. Addison and Ashlen are home schooled teenagers who have committed to most Thursday’s to volunteer at Asha’s Refuge. We are grateful to have their help. I’m sure they are surprised to see grown adults having difficulty writing their name. Sarah and Chris are always very flexible as new students come in and are at a beginners English learning level.

Now, Mr. Mac, our bus driver from New Bethel, recently had back surgery. I’m not sure if he will be back to drive a bus for us. We are praying for his full recovery. I know he will feel a lot better if the surgery does what it’s supposed to. In his absence, we have been praying for a bus and a driver. Highland Heights Baptist Church was able to help provide us with a 15 passenger van and a gentlemen willing to drive. His name is Sonny. He was so kind and patient with us today as we picked up two van loads of students for school. I enjoyed my conversations with him and his wife Barbara as we rode around our route. Sonny won’t be able to drive all the time because he works some Thursdays. Actually, I am uncertain if he will be able to be permanent or not; we are praying about that. The 15 passenger bus was a true blessing today but we kind of need something bigger. The van was a very tight squeeze for our students and we had to make two trips, which is okay. Asha’s Refuge needs a van of her own. It’s time. We struggle each week to be sure we can pick up our students and take them home. Transportation is one of the biggest problems refugees face. And getting those refugees who are in a wheelchair on a tall vehicle is complicated. I would feel more comfortable if Asha’s Refuge had her own vehicle as we often feel like we are maybe burdening others with trying to borrow theirs. These are the kinds of things financial donations would help us to be able to do or maybe…just maybe…there’s a bus/van God would have for us that could be free! Ha, ha. I’m not laughing at God…He just never surprises me these days.

I am thankful for Sonny and Barbara today and to Highland Heights Baptist Church for opening their doors to us. Just like New Bethel Missionary Baptist, we are making friends and God is bringing His people together to serve the least of the least of these and make Himself known. I am thankful to the refugee families who have taught me so much and bless me every time I get to visit with them. I am thankful that the volunteers showed up…even our secretary, Elaine, and our first Intern from Rhodes College, Janelle! Today was a piece of heaven on earth.