Our monthly ladies tea time allows opportunities for us to have conversational English practice, cultural learning and a safe place for sharing our feelings and emotions regarding our personal life stories.

For November and December’s tea time, each lady guest was encouraged to choose a photo from a table full of random photos (Story Card conversation starters) that reminded them of themselves. Three of our newcomer ladies shared their photos and, without sharing their names, were willing to allow us to post their explanation of why they chose those particular photos to help educate others. We felt their explanations were important to voice:

Guest #1: Crowd of Blurry People Going About Life, Arrived to Memphis 3 Weeks Ago

“I chose this photo because this is how I feel right now with my life having to start all over in a new country that I am very unfamiliar with. I see things happening but life feels like it’s just a blur. I am unsure how my life will really be here. I miss home and am unsure if I will ever see my home country again. My future feels scary and uncertain.”

Guest #2: Escalator, Arrived to Memphis, 3 Years Ago

“My life has felt like a set of moving scary steps. As soon as I accomplish one hard step and deal with a very difficult thing, here’s comes another harder step. I am exhausted. I am tired of climbing the moving steps and feel like they will never stop coming at me. I sometimes feel like giving up.”

Guest #3: Girl with Sunshine On Face, Arrived to Memphis About 3 Weeks Ago

“I am finally here. America. I am dreaming of all the things I want to accomplish. I am thankful and hopeful. I am taking a deep breath, resting and enjoying simple things like the sun on my face. I am thankful to know I am in a safer place.”
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stories #ashasrefuge #ladiestea #godisgood #placeofhope #bethevoice #bethehands #bethelight