Let the Little Children Come
“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” Matthew 19:14 ESV
“Faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 ESV
As a newly retired teacher, I was looking to use my gifts and share my faith while volunteering. My children and I had served with Alysa Marx in a kid’s club for refugees at the Ivy Apartments 10+ years earlier. Our paths crossed again this year when our two churches united. I learned from Alysa about Refuge Resources Ministry which she directs, and I decided to attend a training. I went not planning to make a regular commitment but to consider being a substitute in the Reading Circle. Alysa shared about the world refugee crisis, which according to the UNHCR the number of people forced to flee due to persecution, conflict, violence, and human rights violations has reached more than 100 million people. This means that 1 in every 78 people on earth has been forced to flee. (unhcr.org) As Alysa shared specifically her vision and heart for the refugee children arriving in Dallas and living right here at the Ivy and Sunchase Apartments, my own heart and mind were changed. I signed up and started as a mentor the very next night.
I’ve had the privilege of working with Kmwee for the past eight months. She was born in Thailand after her mother fled Burma. Kmwee has lived in Dallas for the last four years with her mother and two older brothers, while two other older brothers remain in Burma. I rejoice that after years of waiting her family received refugee status and was allowed to resettle here. I am grateful that I get to know Kmwee and can see how specifically God placed us together. Kmwee is soft-spoken, hardworking, and enjoys learning. She is 9 years old, the same age as my granddaughter, which helps me understand her developmentally while leading me to contrast their lives. Because of her mom’s work schedule, Kmwee sees very little of her, yet she never grumbles or complains. God has provided relatives, teachers, and mentors to help meet her needs. Kmwee attends school from 7:00-3:30 five days a week, chooses to go to a Christ-centered homework club at Northwest Community Center four afternoons a week, and adds two more hours of learning at Refugee Resources on Tuesday nights. Her perseverance and hard work have led to her being one of the most improved readers, progressing 10 levels or an equivalent of 1.5 years in reading comprehension since she has been in Refugee Resources’ Reading Circle. Her weekly prayer requests are usually for others. She is attentive to our lessons from The Jesus Storybook Bible, and she learns a new Bible verse almost every week. Hiding God’s word in my heart is what God used to draw me to Christ at age 12. So, I especially love Alysa’s goal for the students to learn a selected verse from each book of the Bible, and Kmwee is up to II Kings so far! Kmwee just shared with me that her family has a dream of moving to Vernon, TX in the next year. Please pray that by hearing and learning God’s word she will come to faith in Jesus before that happens.
Added to the weekly highlight of my time with Kmwee is the encouragement I receive from seeing young people committed to serving at Refuge Resources. (I’m by far the most senior volunteer on Tuesday nights!) Single or married, working or in school, they come to love their mentees and lead them to the Lord through literacy. I also find joy in getting to know the other students and their stories. I’m thankful God led me to Refugee Resources. Is He leading you here too? For more information contact alysa@refugeresources.org
Written by: Lisa Harris