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“World Relief Cup” Raises Support for Refugee Resettlement Services
In recognition of World Refugee month in June, World Relief Western Washington is hosting the inaugural World Relief Cup soccer tournament to celebrate the resilience and contributions of local refugees.
The tournament begins at 9 a.m. and the championship games occur at 6:00 p.m. The final awards ceremony and celebration will take place at 7:30 p.m. Individuals and teams can raise support for refugees rebuilding their lives in Western Washington by registering to participate in the tournament or by sponsoring participants.
Saturday, June 10 at Valley Ridge Fields
“As we celebrate the resiliency and courage of those who have been forced to flee their home country, The World Relief Cup event will open up opportunities for different communities to come together,” said Medard Ngueita, the Executive Director of World Relief Western Washington.
“We hope the event will provide an opportunity to not only celebrate together, but to help raise awareness around mass displacement and the need for better integration of our new neighbors.”
Through the World Relief Cup, the Western Washington offices of World Relief aim to increase awareness of the challenges refugees face in the resettlement process and provide support that empowers them to rebuild their lives in their new community. The event will include competitive soccer tournaments, as well as booths, food trucks, and other fun activities that will be open to the community.
“Refugees are our friends and neighbors, and we encourage this community to embrace them as such.”
said Annie Frisbie, Director of Strategic Advancement, World Relief Western Washington.
By offering our support to these new community members as they acclimate and seek to rebuild their lives here in Western Washington, we treat them with the dignity and respect they deserve as individuals made in the image of God.”
Community members are encouraged to participate in the World Relief Cup by volunteering to help with the event, signing up to play with a team, or sponsoring teams or individuals who are participating in the tournament. To register for this event as a team or individual, please visit the World Relief Western Washington events page and reserve a spot: https://worldrelief.org/world-relief-cup
Thurston County Hosts “From Home to Home” Refugee Resettlement Simulation Event
In recognition of the thousands of refugees who are forcibly displaced from their home countries each year, the Thurston County office of World Relief is hosting “From Home to Home” – an experiential exhibit demonstrating the challenges these refugees face when coming to the United States. The event will take place in Olympia on May 19 – May 22, with sessions available both for groups and individuals from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 812 Central St SE. Sessions in the exhibit will simulate the common decisions and difficulties refugees and asylum seekers face on their journey to resettlement.
“Refugees and asylum seekers who are forcibly displaced from their homes have experienced challenges and dangers that many of us cannot begin to comprehend,” said Annie Frisbie, Director of Strategic Advancement. “Through this exhibit, we hope to create awareness of both the trauma of displacement and the difficulties they endure on their journey to the United States. By doing so, we can better work together as a community to ensure those who have experienced such difficulty can find support in Thurston County.”
Through this exhibit, the Thurston County office of World Relief is aiming to increase understanding of the unique vulnerabilities of refugees and asylum seekers who have been forcibly displaced and highlight the need to assist them in rebuilding their lives in the United States. This exhibit to increase awareness is coupled with the office’s continuing work serving displaced individuals in Western Washington by assisting them in securing safe housing and providing cultural orientation services.
“Refugees and asylum seekers need our support to both navigate an unfamiliar culture and an uncertain future in their new homes,” said Annie Frisbie. “They have suffered significant challenges before and during their journey here, but our community has an opportunity to demonstrate God’s love for them by welcoming them with open arms and helping to ease their transition to rebuilding lives in the United States.”
Schools, local businesses, first responders, faith groups, and individuals are all encouraged to participate in the exhibit. To register for this event as a group or an individual, please visit the World Relief Western Washington “From Home to Home” events page and reserve a spot: https://worldrelief.org/from-home-to-home
Cait & Marla – Mother and Daughter Volunteer Story
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.
Karibu: Welcome. Come Back Any Time.
By Kendra Guttridge, a World Relief Spokane spring intern
To be engaged with World Relief is to encounter the global, multicultural Kingdom of God. This intersection of so many dynamic communities, all created in the Imago Dei, is a powerful witness.
I’ve interned at World Relief Spokane since the beginning of February, and every day I have been enriched. Of course, that richness results naturally with World Relief’s mission and working with the refugee community, but it also comes even just being in the office space, surrounded by so much diversity. As I work at my desk, stationed in the middle of the Integration & Wellness department, I hear Yeva singing in Ukrainian from her office; I compare files I organized with Wahid’s and realize his default is right to left while mine is left to right; I cram into the break room with other staff as Morella teaches us to make arepas. At any given moment, I get to encounter a different way of being. I get to be reminded of my smallness in the vastness of creation and of what a holy thing intricacy is.
I am also reminded of my smallness when I work with our clients; it has been such an honor to be invited in and trusted to hold some of the many stories that refugees carry. Once, I was at the doctor’s office with a client and another World Relief staff member, and as we were waiting for the nurse, he wanted to practice his English. He began to tell us about his home country. Though he wasn’t able to find all the right words, he recounted to us how the Taliban mowed down his people. He held his hands as though they were supporting a gun, and with his mouth, he imitated the stuttered drilling of open fire. It was heartbreaking, and I looked to my coworker, only to realize her face was one of recognition because she is from Ukraine. When she expressed that to our client, there was a sacredness in their exchange. The deep lament over violence in their countries of origin—their homes—was a wound they shared. How terrible and beautiful that in that moment, they could share it together.
To say that there is a lot of heaviness in these interactions is an understatement. The brokenness of the world is never so clear as when I listen to all that refugees have faced, but in the midst of it all, the Lord is so near. Brokenness is interwoven with beauty. In the darker moments, I look to the light of community, like learning Swahili on a home visit with a family. I was just shadowing a case manager, I contributed nothing, but the mother was so gracious. She told me karibu. Welcome. Come back any time. Her face, full of laughter and joy, as she taught me the words for hello, thank you, and goodbye is a memory I hold tight to. In the same way, I hold tight to the daughter of a family I conducted a home visit with. She came home from school in the middle of my time there and sat down right next to me. She amazed me with her boldness – and she was so smart too. She helped translate for her parents, and whenever she had a chance in between, she told me all about her classes and her experience here in Spokane in comparison to all the other places she has lived. At the end, she asked me for a hug, and I saw in her eyes just how relieved she was that her family was heard. I will never stop praying for her.
Prayer is an integral practice for this kind of work, I’ve learned. There is so much entirely out of human control, on both institutional and individual levels. There are often times when every resource has been exhausted and there is nothing left to do but pray and surrender it all to God who holds all things, who cares for the oppressed, who was in this world as a refugee in the person of Jesus. And as I pray, I know that each department in the World Relief office prays for one another, and I know there is an entire network of churches praying too; it’s another glimpse into the Kingdom. I think of how it looked in Acts 4: “32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them.”
I continue to pray for this Kingdom come.
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When It Comes to Impact, Small Things Live Large
When challenges arise, it’s easy to overlook the small things that can bring meaning and ultimately joy to any situation. In fact, it’s often in these small things where the true impact lies, giving us a fuller picture of what really matters.
Listen to three World Relief Chicagoland staff share stories of how these small but impactful events brought about a sense of belonging, growth and resiliency in the lives they touched.
Holly’s Story: A Simple Invitation
A lot of preparation and detail goes into welcoming new refugee families and individuals when they first arrive in the Chicagoland area. But this past March proved to be particularly challenging. World Relief Chicagoland saw its highest number of refugee arrivals in the last six years.
Trying to keep pace with this activity, there were days Volunteer Director Holly felt burnt out and exhausted. And it got discouraging when plans fell through – such as a family’s last-minute travel cancellation.
But Holly finds meaning, encouragement, and a renewed vision from the testimonies she receives from volunteers who walk alongside her. Here, she shares an encouraging reminder from one volunteer transportation assistant after he picked up a newly-arriving family from the airport.
Marlina’s Story: The Mini-Celebration
Walking alongside Good Neighbor Teams as they grow from the high and low points of their experience always encourages Volunteer Teams Specialist Marlina. One of these moments came from a gentleman who was excited about leading a team from his church – eager to connect with a refugee family who moved into the neighborhood.
Yet upon building a relationship with the family, his frustration grew when he realized the many barriers they were up against – and there was nothing he could do to fix them.
But he learned there was one thing he and his team could do for this family: recognize the small things worthy of celebration. Marlina highlights one important celebration that left an impact on the group.
Ashley’s Story: A Resilient Advocate
After fleeing Ukraine with her family, Tania* found herself in the class of ESL Instructor Ashley, determined to learn a new language and adjust to a new culture. But it was easy to feel overwhelmed and intimidated by her new situation.
After the class resumed from the holiday break, Tania returned and shared a terrible situation that happened while she was away. Her son had broken his arm.
Yet when Tania told her story, the class noticed something different in her demeanor. She was confident and her words were filled with joy. Tania accomplished something much sooner than she thought possible. She advocated for her son by navigating a complex healthcare system with her own English words.
Ashley shares Tania’s story of resilience when pushed to become an advocate for her family.
*Name changed for privacy.
Make an Impact. Get Involved.
There’s no small part at World Relief Chicagoland. Whether you serve as a transportation assistant, Good Neighbor Team member, or ESL tutor, the “small” things will continue to live large in the lives you impact as a volunteer.
Read more about the impact you can make as a volunteer:
How to Have Impact as a Volunteer Tutor
A Welcoming Community: Tara’s Volunteer Story
At World Relief we believe in the power of welcoming communities. Read how Tara participates in a welcoming community.
When the Taliban took over Kabul Tara saw many news reports about Afghans fleeing the country. The stories of families needing new homes inspired her to want to make a difference in her own community and an opportunity to serve with World Relief came across her path through her church, Christ the Rock. Tara signed up through her church to lead a Good Neighbor Team. A Good Neighbor Team is a small group of volunteers who welcome, walk alongside, and offer long-term reciprocal friendships with a newly arrived refugee family for six months.
However, Tara’s team had to wait a year before they could be matched with a refugee family. Although the wait was long, Tara says that it was worth the wait to be matched with the family they now partner with. The volunteer team used that time they waited to prepare for their experience as volunteers by watching videos about serving in ways that are empowering and discussing those ideas together as a team.
Building Friendships
Tara’s team was officially matched with their partner family, Joseph and Beatrice* and their children, in the beginning of this year. Joseph and Beatrice’s family is Congolese. Some of the things that the Good Neighbor Team has supported the family in has been transportation to medical appointments, answering questions about life in the U.S., and support through friendship. Tara shared that she was surprised how easily their team has been able to connect with Joseph’s family. Several members of the family speak English well and so the language barrier is less significant than Tara had expected.
Congolese Hospitality
After volunteering for several months Tara is grateful that she decided to volunteer. She is grateful for her family’s opportunity to learn and grow in their friendship with Joseph and Beatrice. Tara’s family loves to visit Joseph and Beatrice’s family and enjoy time together in their home. Hospitality is very important in Congolese culture and Tara’s family feels honored to receive that hospitality. One of the things Tara is learning is to be more flexible. She says she’s learning that, “it’s about the moment and not the to-do list.”
Embracing Differences
One of the cultural differences that Tara has noticed is differences in how she prays and worships. Although both families share the Christian faith they express their faith very differently. The day after Joseph and Beatrice arrived in the Fox Valley Tara met them in their home with their World Relief case worker. They took some time to pray together. Tara said she was expecting a brief and quiet moment of prayer before moving on to other things. Instead the Joseph and Beatrice took a long time to pray aloud, sing, and kneel.
Reflecting on her volunteer experience Tara has learned more about culture, but it has also made her look at her own community differently. She says she is more aware of the challenges facing newcomers to the Fox Valley—such as access to transportation and healthcare. Tara’s hope is that our community can be a welcoming place for all newcomers.
*Names changed for privacy
If you are interested in volunteering learn about our volunteer opportunities here.
What’s Happening in Sudan?
By now, we know you’ve seen the news coming out of Sudan. On Saturday, April 15, heavy fighting broke out between two military forces under the command of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (SAF) and General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo (RSF), also known as General Hemeti.
While the fighting started in Khartoum, Sudan’s capital city, it has since spread throughout the country causing food, fuel and water shortages in some areas.
Here’s What’s Happening Now
As we’re writing, at least 512 deaths and more than 4,200 injuries have been reported. These numbers are growing daily.
We’re grateful to report that all of our in-country staff are safe and accounted for. They are sheltering in place and checking in on one another while they wait for the fighting to subside.
At this time, humanitarian activities have been paused to keep staff from World Relief and other NGOs safe. USAID has set up a rapid response team in Nairobi to assess the situation and provide emergency aid to people fleeing into the neighboring countries of Chad and South Sudan.
As you might recall, World Relief recently opened its newest office in Chad. The location of our office there puts us in close proximity to Sudanese refugees who are fleeing. At this time, we do not know if a response in Chad will be possible, but our teams are monitoring the situation and staying open to needs as they arise.
Why is This Happening?
This current conflict can be traced back to April 2019 when Sudanese protestors peacefully took to the streets and removed former President Omar al-Bashir. Following the coup, a military-led council took power, prompting another series of protests which have continued into the present day. We shared more about this in a previous post about some of our world’s most neglected crises.
While the latest conflict is most certainly a setback for Sudan, we remain hopeful and committed to long-term development in Sudan and have a long history of working alongside local partners there. Josh Meares, World Relief Sudan Country Director said:
“We do not know what the future holds for Sudan… It is a nation that deserves better than this, and we have a great staff there who are capable of leading the country into a better future if given the chance. We will continue to stand together with and for the most vulnerable.”
Why Does This Matter to Me and World Relief?
Sudan has long been a crossroads between the Middle East and Africa. Though rich in cultures and resources, decades of colonization, civil conflict and climate disasters have made Sudan one of the most vulnerable countries on earth.
Prior to this most recent conflict, 3 million people were already living as internally displaced in Sudan, and 15 million were at risk of acute food insecurity. The return to conflict is likely to exacerbate an already difficult situation for people experiencing the greatest vulnerability.
World Relief has been on the ground in Sudan, working to address these problems since 2004. Outside the U.S., Sudan is our largest country of operation with more than 345 staff who are committed to building flourishing communities and moving lasting change forward.
In 2022 alone, the team reached more than 533,000 men, women and children in Sudan with life-transforming resources, training and care.
It Matters in the U.S., Too
Not only does World Relief work in Sudan, but we have a rich history of welcoming refugees from Sudan to communities across the United States.
You may remember reading about people like Darelsalam who came to the U.S. when she was 14 years old, or Ibrahim who arrived in North Carolina after being separated from his family for 10 years.
Over the years, World Relief has welcomed more than 2,000 Sudanese refugees to the U.S. — this number includes people from both Sudan and South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011 — and we currently have many Sudanese staff who work across our U.S. offices.
Much like the conflict in Ukraine, our connections in Sudan stretch across oceans, reminding us that the lives we live and the challenges we face are deeply connected and inextricably linked. We are grateful for the ways you have joined us in praying for Sudan and ask you to continue praying in the midst of a situation that is changing daily.
Morella: Venezuelan Hospitality
by Kallie Kohl, World Relief intern
Don’t walk in front of me… I may not follow.
Don’t walk behind me… I may not lead.
Walk beside me… Just be my friend.
–Albert Camus
At World Relief Spokane, a delicious smell drifting through the offices hints that golden-brown rounds of fried corn dough with melted cheese are about to be served with a side of lighthearted laughter and encouraging fellowship. An onlooker might see employees disappear from behind their desks with an exclamation of “Morella’s cooking arepas!”
Morella Perez-Suels, also known as “Tia Morella,” is the woman to praise for this traditional tasty corncake, the Latin version of grilled cheese which has also been featured in the Disney movie, Encanto.
As the Education Services Manager, Morella wears many hats, and hospitality permeates them all. Morella started a brand new initiative for World Relief Spokane last fall – offering the deeper training and education refugees and immigrants need to flourish in their new homeland. Basic Computer Skills for Afghan women was the first class, followed by Financial Literacy for Afghan men. Citizenship classes in civics and history have been added, as well as Conversation Club, Textile Arts with an emphasis on entrepreneurship, and more to come. The Education Center also holds one-day workshops for energy assistance in connection with SNAP and other initiatives as needed.
Morella recognized that the Afghan women in her first Basic Computer class needed much more than technical skills. They needed connection with each other and with the outside world. Each week, she set out teas and treats to welcome them. She helped entertain their children so the mothers could learn. She listened and never rushed. When they needed more time, she added onto the schedule.
Morella was born in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, but lived in sunny, mountainous Margarita Island in Northern Venezuela. Six years ago, she came to the U.S. due to what she describes as the “very bad political and social situation,” which has caused more than seven million Venezuelans to flee their country. (Want to know more? Click here: https://worldrelief.org/blog-private-sponsorship-opens-path-for-venezuelans-heres-what-you-need-to-know/ ).
Over a year ago, Morella saw an opportunity to work at World Relief Spokane. She pondered the consequences of moving far away from family in New Jersey, ultimately placing the heavy decision into God’s hands. She prayed, “God, your plans are bigger than my plans.”
Now, happily for the growing community of immigrants and refugees receiving wraparound support in Spokane, she works as the Education Services Manager, equipped by her faith, her hospitality and the legacy of her family.
Morella grew up in a large family enfolded within a culture that valued openness and showed kindness by helping others. As a child she delighted in making desserts for her grandparents and loved her cooking lessons from her Colombian babysitter. She said, “The best teaching or experience we had…was how to share the love in the family.” Her parents believed that getting a good, thorough education was a bigger gift than any material inheritance they could give her. Thus, Morella’s family legacy was not only knowledge and wisdom, but the ability to truly love and serve others.
One day, weeks into her new job, Morella made arepas for a few coworkers. Her unwritten recipe used cornmeal, salt, and water. After that first time sharing the inexpensive, flavorful and filling gift of food with her coworkers, Morella said, “When I cook arepas, like a flight they come to the kitchen, and say ‘Morella’s cooking arepas!’”
When Hannah, an Integration and Wellness specialist and Morella’s unofficial adopted “sobrina,” celebrated her birthday, Morella promised to teach her how to make satisfying arepas stuffed with melty cheese on one condition: Morella told her, “I’m not going to cook; I want you to learn!” True to her word, Morella showed Hannah the way to combine warm water with cornmeal using a fork, flatten the dough between moistened palms, and shape them into perfect flat rounds to be put on the griddle until they turn golden brown with spots of beautiful char. Then, using a knife, Morella created a pocket and filled them with delicious cheese. When Hannah shared about her lesson later, she said, “Morella always told us, arepas are not just filled with cheese but filled with beans, and meat; there’s so many recipes about what you can put in it.”
Hundreds of online arepas recipes and videos could not compare to the vibrancy and passion in Morella’s voice and hands as she taught. By the end of the hands-on lesson, a few more staff and interns wandered into the kitchen to enjoy the perfect snack. With each bite, they felt the love of generations of open-handed women filling hungry bellies. In the following weeks, Hannah and her husband paid this unique birthday experience forward by making their own arepas for friends several times. Hannah said, “[Morella] shared her love, which moved us to share love with our friends!”
Later, she witnessed a need for financial help, and tailor-made another class to fit the needs of those World Relief Spokane serves. She is constantly listening to the needs of the communities.
Just like Morella’s real-world cooking lesson, she is always looking to help others in a caring way, without solving their problems for them or enabling them. She is appreciated, treasured and loved by all who meet her, and her World Relief Spokane community, staff, volunteers, and clients are a blessing to her. She said, “World Relief is a gift from God. I can say I am so happy. For me, cooking for others is one more way to express love and gratitude.”
We are always looking for conversation partners, sign up to volunteer.
Bob’s Volunteer Story
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.
Genesis’s Volunteer Story
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.
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