Sunday, Mother’s Day, I had the sweet blessing of being able to share my heart and tell about Asha’s Refuge to the church family at Collierville Bible Church off of Wolf River Blvd. I wasn’t alone in sharing my passion with serving, encouraging and helping refugees. Steve Moses with World Relief and Danny and Jil Rogers, members of Collierville Bible also shared. Pastor Nick was very encouraging to each of us and it was truly wonderful that he gave up his preaching time to link hearts with ours and help his church to see the need in our city to love and reach the Nations!

Pastor Nick would say, “Serving refugees is incarnational.” I agree.
It is a kind of serving that beckons for relational connections stemming from the inside out. Jesus lived life among the people he wanted to reach. He loved on the inside. He walked with the people and loved out of a sincere and heartfelt relationship. (Just thinking and typing allowed.)

It was truly good to get to hear Steve Mose’s heart from his past experiences in life and on the ground and his current experiences working at World Relief, the resettlement agency. I am glad to know that he is in the position he is in as I trust that he is going to continue to have the best interest for those he seeks to assist. Steve mentioned that the mission statement of World Relief included involvement from local churches and it was pertinent that the church be involved in order for World Relief to be successful helping refugees. I so agree. It’s the same with Asha’s Refuge. We do not take federal grants as we believe it is or duty as Christians to love all people and to help others who are in need especially widows, the old, children, sick, the stranger and the poor. In addition, the Lord showed me early on that it was NOT my responsibility to handle all the needs I saw on my own. As a matter of fact, I cannot. I did not realize it at the time, but God actually allowed me to try it out on my own for a long period of time and I fell flat on my face in tears. God told me, very clearly,”Enlist the help of other believers.” So church, we need your support financially, tangibly with volunteerism and donated items, prayerfully and as the Spirit leads you.

I thank Jil and Danny for their hearts and leadership example as they have opened up their lives, home, church and hearts to a refugee family for I think near two years now. They have learned much that will enable them to walk beside others who are interested in becoming more involved with refugees. It is our hope that each refugee individual and family will be matched with a family advocate so that no refugee is left out feeling alone, afraid, unsure and unloved.

There will be lots of opportunities to serve this summer and to get to know more about connecting with local refugee families. One can serve through Asha’s Refuge, World Relief, Refugee Empowerment, Catholic Charities or Opportunity Summer Camp. Email me to let me know your interest and availability at jamie@ashasrefuge.org. Many of you ask, what do you need? We need financial contributions especially monthly support. We are currently collecting liquid laundry detergent, toiletries and school supplies (uniforms, backpacks and classroom supplies). Thank you in advance for your prayers and help.