I want you to know something…

Asha’s Refuge was able to set up a bed for the couple that we have been searching for a bed for the last several days. Bare with me a moment, I want and need you to know something… 

This kind husband and his sweet pregnant wife were sleeping on a 2″ thick pad directly on top of a cold hard floor under one very thin blanket sharing a small pillow. It has been freezing cold the last few days. While we were delivering the bed we stopped to talk.  We were sadly informed that after a series of the typical blood tests given to incoming refugees, the young husband has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. He has already had surgery to remove one lobe. He is scheduled the end of January to have the other lobe removed. 

Know that this gentleman already has a full time job and we are certain he will be successful. We sat and discussed some very frustrating health insurance complications that I won’t dare go into right now. The young pregnant mother (due in April and needs a crib) expressed her concerns for her husband and needs our continued prayers.  (*Update 1/19/16 a crib provided!)

We brought in groceries for the couple. And then, once we set up the bed, we saw that they also desperately needed blankets. I chose to ask them if they needed blankets even though their empty room was evidence that they did. The couple looked down and sort of murmured no we are okay. I could tell from their expression that they simply did not have the heart to ask for more. I also noticed that they were without warm socks.  

Jake and I (my husband) went straight to the store and purchased all the bedding, blankets and warm socks for this couple. When we delivered it back to them just moments later…they were sincerely humbled. This was nothing difficult for us to do but oh so needed and helpful to them.  We are thankful to God for helping you (Asha’s Refuge financial supporters) to provide for families in need through your continued financial support. We prayed a healing prayer over this couple and again ask you to join with us to pray for them. Could you imagine what would happen in the refugee community if they saw a healing miracle like this?!!

One more thing, as we were bringing items in to the couple, we also brought grocery items to their neighbor refugee friends who are also Asha’s Refuge clients but speak little to no English. (Unlike the couple who speaks some English.) it saddened me to be passing them by as I handed fluffy pillows, new bedding and socks and soaps to the couple and not being able to also take the time for the other family. I very much acknowledged them and gave them several bags of groceries, but I wondered if they had any big needs. I will be following up with this neighbor and will also take the time to see how they are doing. The couple we helped today promised me to let me know if their neighbors had any immediate needs we could all assist them with.  

When I was getting in and out of the car getting groceries or bedding, I received a text. It was from another refugee family of 11; the one that has adopted the elderly lady a couple of months ago because she was at risk for being homeless. Their refrigerator was smoking and is out!!!  This large family has worked hard to keep groceries stocked in their refrigerator.  This man and woman  has adopted children and has adopted an elderly refugee lady.  When I received this text I wanted to cry. 

Today’s experience reminded me of my earlier days with working with local refugees. There is no way I myself and my husband alone could possibly provide all of the immediate needs in the refugee community.  At this season in our Asha’s Refuge organization, there is no way Asha’s Refuge could even meet all of their immediate needs. But today I was again reminded of what God told me years ago when I was in a similar situation, “Enlist the help of other believers”.  So here I am, sincerely thanking you all for your emotional encouragement, your financial support, your in kind donations,  and your selfless hours of volunteer help.  And here I am again, pleading with Gods people and all Gods churches to come along side of us and help serve the least of the least of these in our city.  What an amazing opportunity we have to reach the nations for Jesus showing them His love through our simple kind actions in their time of need!  What a wonderful blessing it is to be a vessel that God can work through to encourage persecuted Christians!  I dread saying this and even putting it in the table to ask you but Asha’s Refuge very much needs even more monthly financial support to meet the needs of the disadvantaged people  we have a heart to serve and to push even stronger towards our ultimate goals and vision that will impact the refugee community and our city positively in a huge way.  If we had not of had your  financial support in our accounts today we would not have been able to help the people we helped today.  As I have written, there are so many more needs and we are hungry to have the resources to meet these needs.  We do not want to overwhelm the volunteers we currently have as this work can be emotionally and physically draining.  It is hard to hear the war and terror type stories then work through the myriad of challenges which refugees face hoping to start their life over here in our city.  We need many volunteers doing just enough that one can handle.  We need small groups of unified people eager to walk beside a family in need for a committed amount of time. 

Please share our Facebook Page and ask your friends to “like” it; tell your family and friends about us, come to our upcoming Orientation Feb. 20 to learn more about specific ways you can be involved, commit to our  monthly financial support efforts, help us with fundraising, pray for us, encourage your small group to adopt a family, help us with tangible donations (search, sort, deliver), help us set up a computer lab, teach job skills, donate to provide drivers education courses,  mentor and teach in our American Life and Language classes, spend time loving on preschool refugees… There is much you can do to serve and be a vital part in making a difference in the lives of many.  I am responding to Gods clear call over my life, “Enlist the help of other believers!” I am calling you to please help me continue to help them.  Please pray about it.