Posts by kwhaley

Read the story of bravery and resilience about a loving father from Ukraine, Andrew. 

June is a special month for World Relief North Texas. We not only get to honor the amazing father’s in our lives on Father’s Day, but we also celebrate World Refugee Day and World Refugee Awareness month. This is a month we celebrate the resilience, courage and strength of refugees around the world. The perfect way to highlight this month is by sharing a story of bravery and resilience from a loving father from Ukraine, Andrew. 

Starting Over

Andrew is no stranger to starting over. In 2014 while living in South Ukraine with his family, Russia invaded the territory, displacing his family to South East Ukraine, where they lived for the following eight years. “We had a normal life between 2014 and 2022 after the first time we had to leave.” 

Highlighted on news outlets across the world, 2022 brought more tragedy to Ukraine when Russia once again invaded. Unfortunately, this did not spare Andrew, again forcing his family to seek safety in Poland. “It was not easy to leave Ukraine. When we left (Ukraine) and lived in Poland, we lived with nine people in one room. Although we were safe, I knew God had another plan for us.” shared Andrew.

While in Poland, he met Katy* an American woman volunteering to serve those fleeing war in Ukraine. “I thought it was by accident that we met her, but in fact it was very important.” Andrew had decided the best option was to move his family to the United States. Katy offered to be his sponsor so he and his family could go to the U.S. 

Heading to the U.S. was not an easy journey. From Poland to Spain and Spain to Mexico where they lived for two months in a tent while awaiting trial authorization.“Living in a tent in Mexico was quite an experience,” Andrew shared jokingly. After a long wait, they eventually made it to Texas. 

Texas

“I showed up to the U.S. with nothing. I just had to figure it all out,” Andrew shared. When they arrived in Dallas, Texas one of the volunteers from Mexico picked them up from the airport. Andrew then found World Relief North Texas and our program that assists with housing. He was unaware of the difficulties he would face finding somewhere to live, but World Relief North Texas stepped in and helped with housing, cash assistance, and furniture. He was touched when his caseworker, Luke English, found and delivered furniture for him and his family. 

Andrew was able to secure a job with the help of Jordan, an employment coordinator at World Relief. Jordan assisted Andrew in building a resume and found a job at the airport. This new job brought the income he needed to support his family. With the help of World Relief North Texas he has been able to have a good start in the U.S. 

A Bright Future

Andrew is hopeful for his future in the U.S. and desires to apply for citizenship. “I have a dream to become a pilot, and I believe I will have the opportunity to study and try to become a pilot. It is my passion to be in the air,”.

He believes they will have lots of opportunities here. He loves his children’s school, that they have the opportunity to thrive here, and watching his son play soccer. They are learning English at school, and he believes they will do an amazing job. “I encountered many difficulties and hardships, but I’m now in a good environment and I like it here. I know I am in a good country and I believe I will make it here.”

Andrew is a reminder of hope. Through him we can celebrate the achievements made by those who have risked everything to provide safety for their families. For Andrew, and so many others, it is the reality of knowing he “cannot go back to Ukraine because my home is no longer there, it is not a safe place, and there is no way for me to have a job and provide for my family there.” Andrew is an example of resilience and strength, and we can all learn from men like Andrew. 

We can also pray for those like Andrew, who have been displaced worldwide. 

Learn how you can partner with World Relief North Texas to serve families like Andrew’s HERE.

For mother and daughter, Marla and Cait, developing friendships with people from other cultures and backgrounds is a passion they share, so they began volunteering in our English as a Second Language program.

For mother and daughter, Marla and Cait, developing friendships with people from other cultures and backgrounds is a passion they share. They share a deep knowledge and responsibility knowing that God has called us to serve our neighbors who are different from us. As a result of this love and passion, they began serving in our English as a Second Language program in January of 2023. 

Marla

Marla first heard of World Relief while living in Turkey as a missionary in the 1990’s. During her time living in Turkey, they experienced a devastating earthquake. Together with her husband and ministry team, they partnered with World Relief to assist in disaster relief and aid for the victims of this devastating event. They were able to help with disaster efforts for several years before eventually moving back to the U.S. 

After being in the U.S. for some time, Marla knew she was ready to start serving again. Because of her familiarity with our international work, she knew World Relief would be a great opportunity. However, what spurred her on was her daughter’s decision to begin serving with World Relief North Texas. 

Cait

Cait, Marla’s daughter, has had a different journey than her mother’s. Growing up in Turkey she was surrounded by friends of different cultures, religions, and backgrounds, which has served to give her a deep love for all people. As an adult, Cait found herself living in Sacramento, California with her husband and two young children. In Sacramento, a close friend of Cait’s volunteered with World Relief Sacramento where “she would share her experiences with me and I could relate and was drawn to her work. I really resonated with the mission and the heart of helping others that I heard about World Relief.” Cait then moved to Texas and decided it was time for her to get involved because of her passion to come alongside and empower others. 

Where Passion and Action Meet

Marla and Cait decided to volunteer in World Relief North Texas’s ESL program together. Both of them expressed different ways that they relate to and love the work they are involved in. For Marla, she feels from her time living in Turkey as though she can empathize with the different struggles a refugee experiences when being resettled to a new country. For Cait, it is from her own personal experience of growing up in Turkey and having Iraqi refugee neighbors in California. Her neighbors did not know English, and she saw how hard communicating was for them. “I thought, it must be so limiting to be somewhere and not be able to communicate, be independent, be confident, and to build friendships.” This is where her heart for volunteering with ESL began.

Both have used their personal life experiences to relate to the newcomers they serve in different ways, and it has transformed them. “I love learning about those who come to ESL class and about their lives.” 

Mutual Transformation

For Marla, she has enjoyed the blessing of getting to be with the students who come to ESL. “It is easy and fun for me to be with people of other cultures and develop friendships with them, and I see that they are growing and improving in their English.” To see these men and women taking steps to learn English and acclimate to a completely new culture is brave and empowering. Marla shared that “to take those first steps with them is very encouraging.” 

For Cait, serving with ESL has caused her to reflect deeply on what it really means to be the body Christ. To be the body of Christ means doing what He calls us to do in our respective places and to do what he calls of us in Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” For her “It is very humbling to get to know their stories and how strong they have to be.”

For most of us, we have never had to live anything like what they have had to live through. And yet they still show up and do what they have to do to survive and thrive in this country. “It is so important as the body of Christ to come alongside those who have been and are going through trials,” Cait shares. 

The Why Behind Volunteer

Serving in ESL has even challenged Marla and Cait to exercise empathy and compassion in many ways. It is a mission for them to constantly communicate with their students that they care for them. It especially gives the women “a sense of being encouraged and supported by a teacher,” which might be something they have never experienced before. 

Even among the challenges of language barriers, having to be adaptable, and deal with outside distraction, they choose to volunteer. They volunteer “to do something that is bigger than myself, that is outside of myself, and that’s allowing Christ to exercise his heart for people through me” says Marla. Marla recognizes that she becomes a stronger and better person when she is serving. She believes it is important to be a role model for her kids and grandkids through serving refugee neighbors.

It is allowing “Christ to show up instead of being sufficient ourselves in our own comfortable spaces” shares Cait. “It’s challenge, growth, and beauty.” It is especially beautiful that this mother and daughter are able to serve and empower others in Jesus’ name, together. “It’s super cool I get to do it with my daughter.” What a large impact they are making to generations of their own family members, and those reading their story.  

If you have an interest in empowering people and assisting with a fundamental need, join Cait and Marla, and serve with our ESL team! 

Learn how you can volunteer in ESL with World Relief North Texas HERE.

Bob has always had a passion and a heart for the refugees in his community. When approached to volunteer serving as an English conversation partner he didn’t hesitate. Read Bob’s story and learn how serving his community led to a true friendship.

Bob Rucker has always had a passion and a heart for the refugees in his community. And so, when his pastor encouraged him to check out World Relief North Texas, he didn’t hesitate to explore how he might volunteer. Serving first as an ESL teacher, Bob soon discovered that assistance with office/admin tasks was also needed and for him this was a natural step as he deepened his engagement. And what a gift Bob has been! From organizing files to helping clients apply for food stamps, Bob has done it all. 

Now, it’s his nature to serve, to give of himself for the sake of others. And so, when Bob was approached by the North Texas volunteer coordinator about serving as an English conversation partner for an Afghan man, he didn’t hesitate. Bob was ready and willing to engage even further and began meeting with this young man once a week.  

What Will We Have In Common? 

Before they met, Bob was quite nervous thinking about what he would have in common with this young man from Afghanistan. His soon to be friend, Ali, had recently been studying for a test to become a truck driver. Bob imagined Ali would be a stereotypical truck driver, and thought ‘what would I have to offer in a relationship with him.’ Bob studied as much as he could about truck driving before meeting Ali in hopes to have something to talk about. To his surprise, they became instant friends. 

“You know how you just hit it off with someone right away? That’s what happened. He’s a young fellow, 24, and I’m 77. Big age difference but we hit it off right away.” – Bob

Throughout the course of their friendship, Ali’s English has improved significantly through conversation. Bob has been able to find ample amounts of English support for Ali online. Ali has since passed his truck driving test, which he attributes to Bob’s prayers. Ali has also been able to share his experience fleeing Afghanistan with Bob. Both of them have experienced great loss in their life, and are able to support each other from a place of mutual understanding. Bob, a widower of 2 years, and Ali, leaving his entire family back in Afghanistan, having to run from everything he has ever known. 

A Friendship So Deep…

Bob shared how special his friendship with Ali has been. Bob has many friends and family around him, but he never had any children. “I enjoy taking care of him because I don’t have any children. It’s just like having a son or a grandson. I really enjoy having someone to help.” The culture in Afghanistan holds great value and respect for the older people in their community, and this is definitely seen in the relationship between Bob and Ali. Ali greatly respects Bob, is always available to offer a helping hand, and simply to be a friend. Bob shared, “we text almost everyday to check on each other.” 

Family

As Ali and Bob have developed a friendship over several months and navigated news jobs, cultural differences, church, and supporting each other through loss, it is evident that he truly cares about Ali as his own son. Having someone to talk to about the things you have experienced can be so helpful in the healing journey. “I’ve come to realize that in the world I grew up in, I always had family. Ali’s family is in Afghanistan, he really has no family here” and it is for this reason that Bob is happy to be Ali’s family. Ali has also happily stepped in as part of Bob’s family. Bob was married for 43 years, and has experienced seasons of loneliness since the passing of his wife. His relationship with Ali has been a huge blessing in his life; “it’s nice to have someone to care for. If people took the time to get to know some of these people they would really be blessed.” 

The Importance of Volunteering 

Ultimately, Bob reminded us of a significant biblical truth, “the Bible clearly tells us to make the foreigners welcome. When I watch these crises happen on the news, it tears me apart. I thought, this is one thing I can do to help this whole situation. I can’t solve these problems, but I can do something.”

Ultimately, Bob has an understanding that God has blessed him, and he desires to bless others. He volunteers to help and to encourage others to help. Thank you Bob, and thank you volunteers. We cannot do this without you. 

Learn how you can volunteer with World Relief North Texas HERE.

Our volunteers make our work possible. Read how Genesis participates in loving his immigrant and refugee neighbors.

Genesis believes that “the best thing you can do in life is impact another person’s life,” which is why he started volunteering as a Friendship Partner for World Relief North Texas. In his 3 months serving as a Friendship Partner, he has been able to walk alongside a newly arrived family by simply entering into a friendship. He has assisted his new friends with many things, such as learning how to set up phone plans, finding resources to learn English, and so much more. Genesis has loved his time volunteering with World Relief North Texas because he loves volunteering with an organization that holds Christian values of loving your immigrant and refugee neighbors. He understands deeply the Christian call to love your neighbor, no matter who they are. “It is about helping people where they are.” 

Overflow of the Heart

For Genesis, volunteering is also deeply personal. Originally from Cameroon, West Africa, Genesis was a pastor and leader of a non-profit. The non-profit he founded helped schools access technology for education and teaching digital literacy. The U.S. embassy in Cameroon saw their work and began to partner with them. To continue training for this work and to attend Dallas Theological Seminary, Genesis came to the U.S. in 2016. Genesis’ plan was to return to Cameroon after he completed his degree, however war broke out in Cameroon in 2016. 

“Schools were closed down and violence broke out everywhere.” Once the war began, he knew his wife and children were in imminent danger. His wife and children fled their home, and stateside he started the legal process to get them to the U.S. Thankfully, they were able to reunite with him a year later in 2017. “I’m so happy that God took us out of that war.” The impact of this war caused the displacement of thousands, and the work he used to do in Cameroon was destroyed. “Once war breaks out everything comes to a stand still.” However, he hopes to one day return to Cameroon and continue the work he had started. 

Being himself an immigrant to the U.S. Genesis knows the challenges and loneliness it can bring. When he heard about World Relief North Texas, he knew due to his own personal understanding that he wanted to walk alongside someone going through a similar experience. He also shared that he desires to help others because “God is the greatest helper. He helps us, so why would we not help people as best as we can.” 

Entering Into Friendship 

Because Genesis understands how hard it is to uproot your life, he loves serving his Friendship Partner family. They have grown to become very special to him. Genesis and his family’s first visit was to bring them food, and they immediately hit it off. The father is from the DR Congo, and he met his wife in a refugee camp in Kenya. They were able to start building a relationship, and communicated to the family that they are available and there to help with anything they need. 

Genesis expressed that the biggest challenge serving them is that they do not know English. He shared how excited the family was when he showed them google translate and they realized they would be able to communicate so much easier. Genesis loves being able to show them small tools such as this to help them. 

Better Together

Genesis has also learned that serving is a group effort. Along the journey there have been several times the family had a significant need, and Genesis turned to his small group at church for help. Through relying on others in his church, they were able to get a bed to the family and living room furniture. Friends from his small group were able to give the father of the family a laptop which can help him with job applications, the family to learn English online, and so much more. He has not been doing this alone, but rather with the help of a community behind him. This has truly been a way to equip the whole church to serve the most vulnerable in their community. Genesis has been an advocate for this family to his small group, and they have stepped in to meet needs for a family they have never even met. It simply happened organically from Christ moving in their hearts. 

Blessings Upon Blessings 

Genesis shared with us that some of the biggest blessings he has received from serving this family is the opportunity to be patient. He has been given “an opportunity to learn to be patient. Learning patience with people has been a blessing to me.” He has also learned how to love others better, from the family’s kindness and hospitality towards him. This experience has not only impacted Genesis, but his family, and his church. Everyone has been blessed by this opportunity.

World Relief North Texas is so thankful for volunteers like Genesis, who step into a beautiful picture of how Christ loved others. Thank you Genesis, and thank you volunteers. 

Learn how you can volunteer with World Relief North Texas HERE.

Read the story of a young woman from Afghanistan, and see how she believes that education helps provide hope to young women.

Callie’s Story

All Callie* wanted to do was go to school and be a part of a community.

However, for many young women in Afghanistan, education can be severely limited. In fact, right now the Taliban has banned Universities from accepting women, limiting their opportunity for growth. These realities are heartbreaking, considering how education can transform the life of a young woman. 

World Relief North Texas resettled an Afghan family one year ago, shortly after the Taliban invaded Kabul. Their oldest daughter had never attended school, as girls were not permitted to go in their home village. Everything she learned, she self-taught, but she deeply desired to be a part of a school community. Once arriving in the U.S. that dream became a reality.

Support & Courage

In the beginning, there were many obstacles. For example, she did not know English and nothing was familiar to her. But through the immense support of her teachers, she gained the courage to continue taking steps forward. Over time, that continued support from the school faculty emboldened her to continue learning and school became a place she loved.  

After her first full semester, her confidence in herself blossomed, and eventually, she became comfortable speaking English. She has cultivated a love of learning, something she always wished she had in Afghanistan. Now, she dreams of continuing her education and hopes to pursue a college education. Her future opportunities have opened up and she told us how she hopes to become a teacher or a pharmacist, however, she says that “my dream is always changing.” The more she learns, the more she understands there are so many possibilities open to her for the future. She believes that “life without education is useless and I want to learn more to stand on my own two feet. Education is important because I should not live in dependence on someone else.” 

Dreams Lead to Impact

Our friend was deeply upset about the closing of schools for girls in Afghanistan. She wishes to “someday be a part of re-opening those schools for women there.” Her courage, eagerness, and determination should be an example to all of us. Let’s create a space of welcome for newcomers to learn. 

*name changed for safety and privacy

Learn how you can be a part of creating a space of welcome for newcomers with World Relief North Texas HERE.

Generosity can look like many things, but to a couple from Keller, TX, generosity looks like obeying the biblical mandate to care for the foreigner. Read what compels them to be generous.

Why Choose Generosity?

The Johnson’s* moved from College Station to Keller, Texas, in 2007 after graduating from Texas A&M. After several years of a successful career, they decided to sell their business, and wanted to donate from the proceeds towards a good cause. A few months earlier, their pastor had preached a sermon out of the book of Ruth, and addressed the Jewish laws and customs for taking care of widows, orphans, and the foreigner or displaced person. Afterwards, they knew they had to look at giving to organizations focused in these areas. “After that sermon we knew we needed to give back. Our thought was, what if we focused on what the Bible says we should really be doing?”

Mr. Johnson shared with us that “after researching organizations, World Relief North Texas stuck out as being really unique and were doing some really great things.” 

Continued Partnership 

Following many years of partnering with World Relief North Texas, the Johnson’s shared why they continue to partner with us. “I see what ya’ll are doing, I read the updates, and how personable you are with us. How you interact with partners is refreshing.” They have also been deeply impacted by the most recent crises in Ukraine and Afghanistan and see that World Relief North Texas is “helping these people and being the hands and feet of Jesus in a huge world crisis. We know our money is going towards that.” 

He also shared “I like that they work to empower refugees. They do not do everything for them, but teach them how to thrive in a new place. They empower those who have moved here.” 

Motivation for Generosity

What motivates this couple’s generosity is an understanding that what they have is not their own, it is provided by God. They understand that God has put them in a position where they have the means to do this and God has made it clear to them of what they are supposed to do. “This is not ours and we did not do anything to earn or deserve this. Why God chose to put us in this circumstance, I don’t know. But as Christians, we’re called to give, so that’s what we do.” 

To anyone who is considering partnering with World Relief North Texas in a similar way, the Johnson’s say “do it! The organization has always been very transparent with what they are doing, where the money is going, and how it is being used. They give regular updates on what is going on and the impact they are having. I would tell someone to just jump and go for it.” 

God Moves 

As they reflect on the ways God has moved in their own lives through giving to others, they shared that on more than one occasion, when they give, those they give to always come back and say “I had just prayed for this” or “this is the exact number we needed.” 

Mrs. Johnson shared her reflections with us; “That person praying specifically, God hearing that prayer, and us being obedient in what God has called us to do, it is what moves mountains. It’s a very clear picture to us of God’s sovereignty when you hear stories like that.” 

Generosity means being obedient to what God is calling us to do. It is all God’s money, time, or resources. It all belongs to God and “you can’t store it up here.”

Generosity means being obedient to what God is calling us to do. It is all God’s money, time, or resources. It all belongs to God and “you can’t store it up here.”

*Disclaimer: names changed for privacy reasons. 

Learn how you can get involved with World Relief North Texas HERE.

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on all the ways the Lord has shown His faithfulness in our lives. Some of our North Texas staff reflect on what they are thankful for this season.

I’m thankful for our Afghan refugees sharing their lives and stories with us. I have learned so much from their resilience and fight.

Stephanie

I’m thankful for my church community.

Noelle

I am thankful for Fort Worth! I moved here in may, so I am thankful my transition here has been easy and that I work with amazing people who encourage me every day!

McKenna

I’m grateful right now for the unity and integrity of my Match Grant coworkers.

Luke

I am thankful for the many churches in the DFW area passionate about vulnerable refugees and immigrants.

Calla

I’m thankful for a season of exciting things both at World Relief and in our family as we move to a new house.

Bri

I am thankful for the new season of life the Lord has gifted me with…marriage and a new family.

Serenity

I am thankful for this job. It was a huge answer to prayers! I am so happy to have the opportunity to assist refugees and be a neighbor to them.

Emily

I am thankful for our family’s good health.

Edwin

I am thankful to be able to have a friend in Jesus Christ everyday and for the moments I’ve been gifted with my husband and family. I am grateful for World Relief staff, who truly care and go beyond duty to serve and love on others. As a 10-year old immigrant girl, I was greeted with smiles from American people, saying “Hola amigo!,” and for that I am forever thankful.

Alejandra

I am thankful that the Lord has given me a platform to share the process of a refugees journey and advocate for those who are vulnerable.

Kelsey

I’m thankful to be a part of an organization that is truly living out what it looks like to care and love the stranger! I am also thankful for the upcoming Advent season and treasuring it with my family!

Ryan

I’m thankful to be a part of this World Relief and North Texas Community that cares deeply for families in vulnerable situations. I’m grateful that time and time again team members, churches, and volunteers are coming forward with open, humble hands seeking ways to love one another and the women, men, and children who are simply looking for a place to belong.

Garrett Pearson, Office Director

Thank you all for making North Texas a place of welcome. Blessings to you and your family this Thanksgiving from the World Relief North Texas team.

Learn how one church responded to the devastation in Afghanistan by serving vulnerable Afghans arriving in North Texas.

Bear Valley Community Church had been serving among refugee families in Fort Worth for several years when Kabul fell in August 2021. Seeing the devastation in Afghanistan on the news, members of the congregation became overwhelmed and desperate for ways to help, so they reached out to World Relief North Texas, where they gave practical ways to begin helping Afghans even before they arrived in the U.S.

The first step Bear Valley took was to gather and train a Good Neighbor Team. They wanted to be ready to welcome arriving Afghans when the time came. In addition to their Good Neighbor Team, they took part in a Walmart gift card drive. The church collected Walmart gift cards, and World Relief used them to provide food, furniture, clothes, and other necessities for Afghan clients as they arrived. 

The Call

After weeks of waiting, Bear Valley got the call that two Afghan families would be arriving. The families were related, multi-generational and close knit with 9 people total. They already had ties in Keller and therefore were settled there so they could be close with more family. The Bear Valley Community Church Good Neighbor Team got to work!

The first thing Robert, a member of the Good Neighbor Team, remembers is taking them grocery shopping. Eric, another church member, donated furniture and showed up with a truck to help move the family in. People all over the metroplex had donated furniture to be ready for this family’s arrival. They had so much furniture donated that they had to keep some in the church and in their own homes. 

“The most wonderful thing that we have seen is the people who have given for this family. They haven’t always given out of their abundance, but they’ve given because they wanted to help” Julia, another member of the Good Neighbor Team, shared with us. 

A Thanksgiving To Remember

When the holidays approached, these families had not been in the U.S. for very long. Julia and the Good Neighbor Team invited them to the Thanksgiving banquet at their church. They were not sure how they would feel about this invitation, but quickly realized the family was ecstatic. The family shared, “we used to have beautiful weddings, banquets, and feasts back in Afghanistan and we have not experienced anything like that here yet.” 

They enjoyed being treated as guests of honor and it became a way for Bear Valley church members to tangibly see who they had been helping and praying for.

ESL

A part of integrating into the U.S. is beginning to take English as a Second Language. The men started to attend ESL offered at Bear Valley Community Church, but the women in the family felt uncomfortable. With permission, some women from the church offered to do ESL with the women in the family in their apartment, this way they can learn English in an environment that is comfortable for them. Now, these women who do not know how to read and write in their own language, love learning English! It is amazing to see that these women have begun to learn English and are adapting so well. 

The family’s 19-year-old son, Wahab, has been studying to take his GED. He was a senior in high school while in Afghanistan, and was taking his final exams to graduate high school when they fled to the U.S. His current options are to learn English and take the GED or redo high school classes. This is a reality that many young refugees face when entering a new country. 

“Shopping” for Jewelry

The families have been able to explain to their Good Neighbor Team that the biggest struggle for them is remembering the lives they enjoyed in Afghanistan. They adored their lives in their home country and had no intentions of leaving until the Taliban invasion that forced them to flee. Bibi, the grandmother, was sad when she remembered special things she left behind, such as her nice jewelry. 

Julia’s grandmother had been a missionary and owned jewelry from different countries all over the world. This jewelry had been passed down through the generations, to Julia now. Julia had the idea to nicely place this jewelry in a jewelry box and take it to Bibi’s house with all the girls. She wanted to make it seem as if they were jewelry shopping in a fancy store.

This ended up meaning even more to Bibi and Zakia, Bibi’s oldest daughter, than Julia could have ever imagined. The two women cried as they “shopped” for their fancy jewelry. They said to Julia, “may your jewels in heaven be multiplied for the kindness you have shown on earth.” Julia shared, “It was humanizing for them. It made them feel at home again and like they had nice things and could dress up. I know it would have meant the world to my grandmother to have these things given to people starting a new life.” 

Friendships Formed

The Good Neighbor Team shared with us that the family is equally as caring of their families. The families always remember what is going on in their lives and they check up on them. “They don’t want to just be helped; they want to be part of a friendship. They don’t want to just take; but they want to give back” Julia shared. Robert shared how “one time the mom made a whole meal for me while I hooked up a new washer. It made me feel special.”

Even though it has not always been the easiest road, now that they are working and establishing themselves, they have started to become self-sufficient and their Good Neighbor Team is so proud of them. Robert shared that his desire is that they “can have a nice life here. I can’t wait to see the kids grow up, graduate, and go on to college one day.”

Personal Transformation

Julia shared that through this experience God has taught her to go outside of her comfort zone and be willing to be used in any way. “God’s plans are much richer than anything I could’ve come up with.”

She has also come to appreciate the way the body of Christ works together, for if she had decided to help this family on her own, she never could have fully helped them in the way that they needed.

Learn how you can get your church involved with World Relief HERE.

Read how casework impacted Serenity’s heart towards the most vulnerable. 

A Look into Casework

Have you ever wondered what casework looks like at World Relief North Texas? What better way to learn than from one of our caseworkers! 

Meet Serenity Beesley. Serenity currently serves in our Reception and Placement program at World Relief North Texas. Serenity is fun, spunky, and a light everywhere she goes.

Let’s Start at the Beginning

After moving to Texas, Serenity became involved with a local church and met a World Relief employee. At the time, Serenity was working with a workforce development program at Goodwill, seeking to bridge the gap between the unemployed and potential jobs by providing job training, job fairs, and work experience. As she continued to meet with clients, a passion developed within her to help those she worked with more holistically. In fact, this is what ultimately led her to World Relief: “God gifted World Relief to me. It was exactly the opportunity I was praying for.” 

As a caseworker with World Relief North Texas, Serenity’s responsibilities are robust, and focused on helping her clients transition into the U.S. This begins during airport arrivals and includes things like: ensuring housing is ready, taking them grocery shopping, meeting with them the next day and setting expectations of what living in the U.S. looks like. In addition, she explains ALL the paperwork, and simply gets to know them. 

What to Expect

For the next 90 days, Serenity cares for those who have been entrusted to her. She takes them to doctors’ appointments, teaches them how to manage money, enroll their kids in school, prepares them for schedules and daily life in the U.S. explains Medicaid, how to apply for a Social Security card, how to navigate the food stamp process, financial programs, and, ultimately, helps each client come to a place where they genuinely understand how we can help them. Serenity walks them through how to get phones, cash their checks and navigate public transportation. She connects them with Family Friends to assist in the ways she physically cannot, and connects them into the community through constant networking.

The End Goal

For Serenity, the end goal of casework has two-sides. As a Christian, she desires to bear the image of Christ and also selflessly serve the least of these that Jesus related himself too. Being a caseworker allows her to live out this passion, for it is a job with the end goal of seeing someone become self-sufficient and pursue flourishing for themselves and their family in the U.S. But, as Serenity shares, it doesn’t come without its sacrifices.

“If I want to care for them and have a relationship with them, I will have to sacrifice my time. I can’t have a black and white schedule for that because they are image bearers. People sometimes don’t fit into the schedule of an 8-hour day. They deserve time outside of 8-5.” It is important to remember that “people deserve relationships. This job has helped conform me to the image of Christ, but it’s hard because that is not our nature.”

Personal Transformation

When we asked Serenity how being a caseworker has challenged her faith, she shared that it has shown her how insignificant she is, and how big God is. She described how she is unable to give and provide every single need in herself alone, and how she has seen God provide for the needs of clients outside of her. She knows that God doesn’t need her but He chooses to use her for His good. Serenity confessed that her constant prayer is to be reminded that she is to be LIKE Christ, but not BE Christ. She prays, “Lord only you can help these people and take on all of their problems.”

Serenity also shared that casework has challenged her faith as God continually and kindly reminds her that He is the one in control and the provider for all. This job has been humbling and has confirmed to her that above all she is a servant. 

She reminded us of Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Learn how you can serve with World Relief North Texas HERE.

Learn how you can volunteer with World Relief North Texas HERE.