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Here’s an update on Hope:

(See our original blog post by clicking the link below.)
http://ashasrefuge.org/2013/02/09/help-us-help-hope/

We’ve spoken to Hope several times since we last posted about her. She has been to see the doctor and she and baby are said to be in healthy and good condition. Hope is 6 months pregnant. We’ve contacted a few agencies that have experience with helping mothers in need in order to educate our self about the best possible place to connect Hope to so that she and her baby will have the assistance, mentorship and love they need. We have encouraged Hope as she moves through the process of finding a place to live and work. We want to help her help herself and wait for her to tell us what it is that she wants or needs so that we aren’t setting her up in a situation that is our desire for her and not her own desire for herself. We understand that Hope is in a difficult situation but feel that it is necessary for her future success if we do not try to do everything for her but walk along side her in mentorship and love.

We did connect Hope to a friend we knew from her same country, Ethiopia. This connection was good for Hope and also encouraging.

Hope has recently signed a lease for a small apartment. At the time she signed the lease she didn’t have a permanent job but today she accepted what we believe will be a part-time restaurant position. She trained for this new job and is hopeful to keep it throughout the pregnancy and thereafter. Hope has her high school diploma and speaks good English. Since she came into American Schools at about the 8th grade and was pushed through the school system, her American Cultural Understanding, Way of Life and Education Skills lack. She is fortunate, however, to have good English communication skills and a paper that says she graduated from High School. This should greatly help her obtain and hold a job here in America.

Hope has agreed to complete an application hoping to connect to One to One Ministries to obtain additional mentorship throughout the rest of her pregnancy and throughout the first years of her babies life. Asha’s Refuge is thankful that organizations like One to One are out there and is looking forward to the partnership in mentoring Hope and her baby as The Lord leads. We would appreciate your continued prayers for Hope, her unborn baby and the people that may soon be involved in mentoring this little family.

The 2013 Just Love Project

Goal: 100 donations of $20.13 mailed to 1035 Winchester, Suite A216, Collierville, TN. 38017

Why: http://myemail.constantcontact.com/The-Just-Love-Project—News-from-Asha-s-Refuge.html?soid=1111489023142&aid=Z9DawGj4Kvg

How we are doing as of today: 16 of 100, Recieved donations that cover 16 of the 100 $20.13 requested donations.

Thank you! We are still looking for 84 additional supporters to reach our goal. Please don’t forget to mail your donation to us if that’s what is on your heart to do. We very much need your continued prayers and financial support in order to help meet the needs of our refugee clients.

This Thursday as I prepared to receive and greet the ladies and preschoolers who attend our American Life and Language classes, I met an early arrival at the door.  She is one of our regular students and comes from Congo originally.  French is her language and it is really fun for me to practice my French with her.  Most of the refugees I know do not speak French and we have a different kind of fun communicating with each other.  But this particular lady and I have had many opportunities to converse in French in class and as I have visited her home.  One miracle in this story is that we actually understand each other pretty well even though my French is entirely learned in American schools and she is completely uneducated in her own language.  Every now and then I have to ask her to slow down because she runs away with words and I completely lose the topic of conversation.  That makes us laugh.

This lady has been trying for some time to bring her two adult sons to America under the family reunification program.  We were discussing that effort when I learned that she had been watching the news a lot and crying because she fears that her sons may be again caught up in war in Africa. Can you for even one moment put yourself in this mother’s place?  Can you imagine the fear, pain and heartache she must be feeling?  Upon hearing this, I told her I would pray for her and her family, and then asked her if we could do that right now.  So at that moment my Muslim friend and I bowed our heads and prayed together.  I prayed over her asking God to calm her heart, protect her sons and reunite her family.  I almost prayed in French – which would have been a first for me –  but I am so used to talking to God in English that French seemed awkward at that moment.  I think my refugee friend understood a lot of my prayer and at the end of the prayer, she said Amen along with me.  Will you please join me in praying for this mother and her family who have experienced so much pain, fear and loss in their lives?  You may not know her name, but now you know her need, and God certainly knows who she is.

We recently sent out what will be our annual newsletter which will enable us to update our supporters and volunteers with a recap of our  previous year and a glimpse into the coming year.  The newsletter will also give us an opportunity to raise funds and to continue raising awareness regarding the challenges that disadvantaged refugees face as they desperately try to successfully start their lives in our city (Memphis, TN).  We call this “The Just Love Project”.

Please click on the link below to view the newsletter.

The Just Love Project – 2013

It’s so hard to express all that Asha’s Refuge does in assistance for local refugees. Lets take the label “refugee” out of the picture for a moment.

I got a phone call yesterday from a young woman, age 25, who was kicked out of her home because of her pregnancy which her family was not happy with. There may or may not be some religious consequences this young woman is facing from her family. I have yet to decipher all that. The woman, lets say her name is Hope, has been sleeping in her car for two or three days. How would The Church respond to help an American in this situation?

It seems there are some systems and programs set up for women who are struggling like this, but the programs are not real easy to figure out by those who are in need of them. I understand there are necessary guidelines and I agree that there should be. Americans can figure the guidelines out and most often get into a transitional program that will provide a helping hand, encouragement and a way to be back on ones feet IF the person needing the help really wants it. It’s challenging even for Americans, but what about a refugee?

So many refugees I meet in many ways are at such a disadvantage. Hope came to America as a refugee many years ago. She entered the American school system eight years ago. At the time of her high school admittance, she was most probably uneducated and very, very behind. I’m sure she lacked English skills in addition to all the basic education skills and like many teenage refugees I have met she was expected to jump in to an American High School, get caught up, graduate and go on to college. Unfortunately the “No Child Left Behind” concept leaves many students behind. Hope was not able to catch up with her education and that causes it to be very difficult even today for her to successfully resettle and survive on her own here in America. The lack of education extends its complications into areas of life most wouldn’t think about. Americans who have for some reason dropped out of school have much more of an education than most people coming from third world countries do just because they live among the educated American people. The problem solving and reasoning skills for uneducated refugees lacks severely and hinders them in real ways toward their successful resettlement. The American idioms in conversations and cultural life, business and social how to’s continue to cause refugees and immigrants like Hope frustration as they try hard to acclimate well into our society.

The answer is having A Place of Hope for Hope!! I contacted a local safe house and a family I knew that is from the same country as Hope to figure out the best solution to helping her. I have a temporary plan but am ready and willing to have this young woman in my own home before she again sleeps in her car in the cold. I need help from
The Church, that is the big church. I believe with all my heart that it is The Church’s responsibility to help needy people in situations like this and I believe even more that it is our responsibility and blessing to reach the Nations…Hope is from Ethiopia. We’ve done some of our work on our Asha’s Refuge end by calling the various shelters and pregnancy help programs that can help us help Hope and her baby. But we want to be sure that people who are connected to Asha’s Refuge understand the kinds of things we do and express this example of why we need continuous financial support. I never thought I’d be stuck in a business of Fund Raising, but apparently that’s what Nonprofits have to do.

Asha’s Refuge wants to help Hope. Can you help us help Hope and others like her? Please pray about giving to our organization so that we can be free to provide assistance to the least of the least of these. Donate right here online through Paypal or mail a check to us at 1035 Winchester Road, Suite A216, Collierville, TN. 38017. And, may I please say “thank you” in advance. May God multiply all that is given as He sees perfectly fit.

Yesterday late afternoon I had an opportunity to go support Janelle, our first ever Asha’s Refuge college Intern. She attends Rhodes college and works with our preschoolers in our Kindergarten Readiness program as a lead teachers. I first got to know Janelle after she requested an interview in order to add to her research regarding the success of refugee resettlement and their American acclimation processes in Memphis, TN. Our interview meeting went really well. I could tell there was an immediate like mindedness and connection with myself and Janelle and was hopeful to work with her more in the future.

Janelle is in her Senior year and had to deliver a large speech to her class. She chose to talk about the refugee situation in Memphis and how the local churches would be best to be involved to help the difficult situations surrounding successful refugee resettlement. Janelle spoke of this idea of a “Messier Church”. She struggled to put words into the heart of the message she was trying to express, but I am pretty sure I understood her completely. She is actually trying to put together words to something I’ve been trying to put words to for a couple of years now and it excites me that she is feeling it and getting it at such a younger age. (I am not sure you can always put words to what God is doing in your heart.). I know God is working with her and I am excited that He is growing in her passion and such a great love for refugees who are in vulnerable situations. He isn’t only growing her heart for refugees but for the American Church. The Church as a whole.

The Messy Church is a church willing to open itself to people, cultures and experiences that are much different than what they may have become familiar with. They are open to what the Spirit of God may be doing by mixing its members with all different kinds of people, “messy” people. There is so much growing towards God we can each do if we will allow our self to be “uncomfortable” and “outside the box” of what we are accustom to. Often times the very people we think we are going to help, end up helping us. The Messy Church is a church not afraid to be challenged. It’s a church willing to freely open up the grip of its hands and let God lead the way. The Messy Church isn’t so tightly bound that it cannot find room to welcome the ones that don’t look like, talk like or respond like the rest of the church. The Messy Church is flexible but guided by the strong biblical values, principles and truths of Jesus. The Messy Church will openly accept the poor, the disadvantaged, refugees or foreigners and will begin to understand that they CAN learn from someone that is not classified the same way as they are.

I’m not sure what all Janelle has in her heart and mind regarding The Messier Church and its importance for us to have churches willing to be messy in order to make positive and lasting Kingdom kind of impacts, but I like where she’s going with it. It’s exciting to see how God has worked with our volunteers (including myself) to see how we have grown and learned in the messiness of refugee work. We want to continue walking as Jesus did as we serve refugees in our city and sometimes we recognize that it will be have to be messy. Things are not always going to happen as we might expect them to. And we will expect to be blessed by the unexpected with God.

Today I am somehow overwhelmed with thanks giving to God for my ability to have legs to walk. I can not only walk but I can run. Yesterday evening I was at a gas station inside the store getting my receipt that would not print at the pump. When I walked out of the store to go back to my car I waited as I watched a blue car drive in front of me and position itself at a pump. The driver seemed to stop so I proceeded to walk behind her car to get to my car. Just as I did the blue car suddenly and quickly reversed as though the lady driving it had changed her mind and wanted to choose the pump behind her. Everything happened so fast. The blue car hit my right hip and thigh – just a tap. I quickly responded by putting both of my hands on the side of her car and pushing myself backwards so that I would not fall under the wheels of her car. I was okay. The lady frantically apologized. I reassured her that I was okay and gracefully smiled.

This morning I got up early to do my daily run. I got ready for work and then walked across the Starbucks parking lot to get my usual mornings chai tea. It was then that I was reminded of yesterday evenings event at the gas station and how God protected me. He has allowed me to keep my legs and to not only be able to walk with them but to run.

Why, however, are some people not able to use their legs? Who am I to be one to be blessed with the use of my legs? These are the kinds of questions so many people wonder about God. Why are some people born blind? Why do babies die? Regarding the legs, through the past several years of my serving refugees with disabilities and after my help with a neighbor friend in a wheelchair, I have come to realize that many people who have had to live with the challenge of not being able to walk do not see them self living life with any less of a blessing. Some see them self as more blessed. They certainly do not pity them self and do not want others to either. They often do not see them self as any different than others only a little more challenged to accomplish some things in life. As I have come to know more people with disabilities who have become my dear friends, it is sweet to admit that I do not even recognize their physical disability when I am with them. They are moving through life just like me.

I will say that the refugee people I have met who have disabilities have often endured so much. Many were victims of crime, in tragic war accidents, caught in the crossfire of hate crimes and injustice or just very unfortunate to not have good medical attention. I am reminded of those refugee friends today and pray that God will continue to enable Asha’s Refuge to serve them in a manner that we can help them appropriately in their circumstances. We want them to learn to function well and with great success despite their challenges. We are excited about partnering with local organizations that are skilled and experienced with helping people with special needs. We are trusting God to show us the way and prayerful He will continue to open our hearts to the least of the least of these. And each day that I am able to freely walk or run, I hope I am also reminded to be thankful.

(Asha’s Refuge currently serves clients with Challenging Illnesses, Cerebral Palsy, debilitating Birth Defects, mental disorders, and an array of other Complicating Disabilities. Several are children).

The New Year has been quickly passing me by. One new refugee family after another, I feel like I am consistently being introduced to new faces. I am working hard to memorize so many names and stories. It’s exciting, but it’s also a lot to take in. The resettlement agencies are busy helping the families begin the early processes of resettling here in Memphis with getting immunizations, apartments set up, children in schools and providing some grocery assistance. Asha’s Refuge is helping to meet the needs of refugees who have been in Memphis longer than 3-4 months who no longer are eligible for as much assistance from the resettlement agency but are unable to successfully resettle. This group of families seems to be most refugees that come to Memphis. In our opinion refugees need a longer period of time to gain the necessary skills and important things that would be required for them to live their life in America on their own. And sometimes, Asha’s Refuge steps into the homes of new families as we are invited an begged to make a visit by the new families friends, our clients. We cannot help ourselves as we often still provide additional warm blankets, kitchen supplies, toiletries, transportation assistance, and teach necessary American life skills as we meet them. We want to encourage them to take one day at a time trusting the God above them.

Of course we want to teach our refugee friends to help themselves, “teach them to fish”, but we feel like it is important to help provide the tools and training they need to fish. Sometimes that means we may literally have to hold their hand and lovingly guide them in the direction they are trying to go. Sometimes it means we have to meet them part of the way cheering them on to reach their goals. Having good job skills, a basic education and American life skills are pertinent for their success.
So many refugees have very little to no education and do not speak English. Our students are begging for an additional day of American Life and Language classes. We want to one day provide them with more educational opportunities, but that will require continued volunteer and financial support.

Our Thursday morning borrowed large van is consistently full and I tend to make a couple of trips with our dedicated driver. I am thankful for Highland Heights Church’s volunteer, Sonny, who is always on time and ready to drive the church van for us. We usually trail another van or car and fill them all up with students. (Yes, we still need an Asha’s Refuge bus.) Some of our refugee students are driving themselves or getting a ride from a friend to class and occasionally refugees will walk to class. Our classes are full with refugees from the countries of Bhutan, Burundi, Congo, Samalia, Tanzania, Uganda and Ethiopia to name a few. It has been great to see all the different nationalities represented in our classes and working with our organization. It has been exciting to see all the volunteer English teachers step up to teach the classes too. I can tell God is moving and working in really neat ways.

I’m looking forward to this Thursday. I love to see how God is bringing things together for His good will and purposes. I let go and pray that I’ll follow His lead. Asha’s Refuge is His it’s so not mine. I trust Him and I know He will continue to provide for our needs as He accomplishes the work He started in each of us. He is so good!

Praise you God of earth and sky, You are my unfailing love. That’s a song. Here’s more…how beautiful, is your unfailing love. Everything is in your hands still You make time for me. You remain. You never change. God you remain the holy one and my unfailing love.

Gods love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8). As I visited an elder refugee friend Monday morning I was reminded of how sweet my visits with her have been over the past 6-12 months and how much I valued my sweet friend who could for the most part offer me nothing that the world might have to offer me in return. I know my friend, lets call her Anna, is often lonely. She’s in a new country and feels afraid and unsure. At least she speaks English well. But she has no easy life here as she has a lot of health issues that require her to have specific medicines for survival. She has no transportation. She tries to work but isn’t given many hours or paid enough to really support herself. She’s tried applying for additional assistance but all that has been a daunting and stressful paper trail for her therefore she’s enlisted my help through Asha’s Refuge.

I want all to know that every visit I make with Anna has created an opportunity for us to grow in friendship and trust. I often sit and just talk to her as she eagerly pushes me to eat sugary treats and drink sugary soft drinks with her. (Since I am watching my weight I secretly nibble and sip on the treats.) We talk about our lives and swap life lessons and laughs. She reminds me over and over what a gift I am to her and I tell her often how she is a gift to me. Anna teaches me things.

Over the Christmas and New Year, I knew Anna would be lonely with less hours to work and without her family near. I surprised her a couple of times with my visit and a few small gifts that I felt would give her hope. I gave her poems and songs that gave me hope in my time of need. I sat with her around Christmas and we agreed to always encourage one another. We prayed together…even if she didn’t really understand the Jesus I prayed to she showed respect. My heart melted as she held my hand and we prayed.

Monday morning I visited Anna again before I went to my other job (yes, I have a part time job that pays me some to help me out as I press on with what I believe is my calling). This time I was on the phone helping her with some issues with her medication. I again encouraged her. She was so grateful for my visit. I was grateful also to see her.

As I proceeded to leave, Anna asked me what I liked in her little apartment. I didn’t know what to say. What did she mean? What did I like? I was there to see her. I liked…her. But somehow I felt that she wanted to feel accepted and as though she had somehow collected things that were of value that she might give up to show me her thanks and her love for me. I could see in her eyes that she was desperate to give back to me as I had given to her. My heart sank. “Okay God. I’ll receive.” With utter humility I looked around to see and notice the things I had not before noticed. The treasures she worked hard to collect. What was I willing to say I liked? I hadn’t the heart to take from her.

Anna began pointing to her knick knacks and telling me where they came from. Did I want this or that? That or this? Then she pointed to something very special to her. No! I couldn’t…no, no… But yes, she insisted. She wiped off the shelf of little blue and white pottery pieces and wrapped them each in a plastic bag so that they would not break as I would later make my way home. She grinned at me with a smile that assured me that her gifts were meant for me.

Before I left, I reminded Anna that I didn’t need her gifts of thanks. She reminded me that it was the way they handled things in her country and that I must take them as it was in her heart for me to have them. Every time I think I’ve learned a lot as I serve disadvantaged refugees through Asha’s Refuge I realize I still know very little of what God wants for me to know. While I believe God worked through me to show His unfailing love I was able to feel and see His unfailing love in return. That’s how God works. When we give of ourselves in love we receive so much more love in return. And if we love while whole heartedly listening to God as we go then its a perfect and unfailing kind of love that we have an opportunity to receive in return.

God doesn’t need our gifts. He does not need us to help Him with His Kingdom work. He invites us because He “wants” us. There is a difference. His love never fails. It’s a perfect kind of love and He “wants” us to fully experience it. When we do, we will want nothing more than to give our all to loving Him back.

It’s the beginning of a New Year! I can hardly believe it. I have had many phone calls and texts from refugee women and men who are wishing me and Asha’s Refuge another good year. They are so sweet as many even thanked us for all that we have successfully done to help and encourage them and they even send their prayers for a long happy life for us. Thank you refugee friends, you have helped to change our lives in many ways for the better too! And we pray for you that you will grab hold of the hope and love that is everlasting and find truth and peace as you continue to work towards your successful resettlement here in Memphis.

Asha’s Refuge staff and I would like to thank all our supporters, donors, and volunteers for a great 2012. We could not have come this far without you! We have worked together under Gods grace and provision to accomplish much for the sake of the Kingdom. Many refugee families have become just a little more adapted into their new world and every bit counts! Many of us have grown closer to the King and we are so grateful to God.

Asha’s Refuge has been vacationing as much as we can through the Christmas and New Year Season and surely have enjoyed the rest. While we have had some time off we have still made several visits to refugee families to provide encouragement and help. More and more new refugee families have come to Memphis over the holidays. Between Deborah and I together, I believe we met about eight new families which was about 26 individuals. That’s a lot of new faces in just a few weeks. We thank you all for your continued and consistent prayers.

Happy New Year! We look forward to a great 2013.