Each year, I delight to see the growth in the students lives and how they are developing in their school work. This year it is very exciting to see how well the middle school girls did in their English as a Second Language Class. I know that at least six of the girls passed out of the ESL class and several of the boys as well. Since I have known most of these students for five years, it really is very exciting for all of us to see this huge step of progress for them! Several of these girls are participating in this years Summer School Program which is offering a Theatre and Music Course through Big Thought! It is a tremendous opportunity for these young people to explore the arts. The boys are taking the opportunity to join other guys in soccer, a few students are catching up in a class or two and truly appreciating the extra attention to understand the material.
The students have enjoyed their donated books from IBC and take turns exchanging them out of my car every week or two. Tutoring has also been something to look forward to every other Saturday, as well as having reading partners. This past Saturday, a few of the students even helped to pick up trash on the grounds which proved to be rewarding experience for all of us that participated.
We had a special outing with the preschoolers this past Monday, as they each got to choose their own swimsuit, then we went to the Lake Highlands Sprayground. Here the children played in the amazing waterpark and had so much fun! Then we enjoyed CapriSun's and Chex Mix and before we knew it, the time had come for us to pile back in my car to return to Shiloh!
Soon the Imagine the Impossible dancers at Shiloh will begin practicing with Ms Mary to perform on July 2 and July 31. These dancers will perform once for the Dallas Independent School District and the other for a final performance at a week long fine arts day camp.
The summer sure has been memorable. Suddenly it is time to get shoe sizes and uniform sizes already for the fall..it is hard to believe? How come everyone just keeps on growing! If you would like to donate towards this cause you may send a check to our address, 9310 Forest Lane #348-499, Dallas TX 75243 We would greatly appreciate any contribution.
The days are drawing nearer until we go to Summer Camp. I know everyone is excited and they can hardly wait. I almost hear everyday, why did it have to be in August this year. Right before school!
This summer we have made new friends and hope to make others as well! We are learning to get along with each other, which isn't always the easiest thing to do. For now, I know the kids are enjoying the lazy days of the hot summer fun and we are blessed. May you enjoy your summer too!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
We will miss you, Asha!
Today, March 1st, 2009, our beloved Asha Mabruko passed away. Asha was the grandmother to Mohamud. She and her orphan grandson are from Somalia, and the tribe of the Bantu. I first met Asha almost 5 years ago. She was a living piece of tapestry in the middle of Vickery. This very elderly woman wearing frail dresses, flip flops and carrying various sizes of babies strapped across her back, always caught my eye. Asha would be hunched over from her osteoporosis, but she loved those babies and would continue to carry them and made her way across the busy streets of Pineland or Holly Hill.
I thought to myself, I want to know her, what an incredible woman, what a living legend. Her life must be amazing, she has fled for her life and lived in refugee camps for over a decade. Asha had seemingly almost been plucked up and until Dallas never had running water or electricity. Thinking to myself, I thought how will she acculturate? Dallas is such a fast complex technological society? What must she think?
I remember one time my mother was visiting and tried to teach Asha not to cook something on red hot high. My mom would turn it down to medium boil and Asha would then go back and turn it right back to red hot! We just looked at each other. We then tried to have Mohamud explain that it didn't need to be on that high. Yet Asha was used to cooking with a fire, so I don't think we made much progress. She was a very determined woman! She also treasured and loved her grandson, Mohamud, very deeply.
My life has been deeply enriched by knowing Ms Asha. One of my greatest rewards in my life was in Asha's final days. Sometimes I would find her in inexplicable conditions. This was not due to her family. (There were other circumstances involved.) I never knew if I could rise to the occasion for that kind of job, but the Lord filled me to see that no one should ever be left to lie like that.. I would bathe her because He calls us too. Asha would look so relieved and refreshed.
See, Jesus truly calls us to love and value all, no matter where they come from or whatever position they hold as the world may deem. For Jesus sees differently and so should we. If you live your life as He calls us too, you will see the rewards are far greater than you could ever imagine. Though Asha and I could never speak the same language, when she died, my heart ached so deeply.
When Asha was no longer eating or drinking, I thought how can I serve her? What can I do to ease her pain and comfort her during this time. So I bought her some lotion. She loved the lotion and started rubbing it all over her feet..so I knew just what to do. I would massage her hands, her arms, her legs, then her feet, and her feet again. A story came to mind and I was the one that was most blessed.
I thought to myself, I want to know her, what an incredible woman, what a living legend. Her life must be amazing, she has fled for her life and lived in refugee camps for over a decade. Asha had seemingly almost been plucked up and until Dallas never had running water or electricity. Thinking to myself, I thought how will she acculturate? Dallas is such a fast complex technological society? What must she think?
I remember one time my mother was visiting and tried to teach Asha not to cook something on red hot high. My mom would turn it down to medium boil and Asha would then go back and turn it right back to red hot! We just looked at each other. We then tried to have Mohamud explain that it didn't need to be on that high. Yet Asha was used to cooking with a fire, so I don't think we made much progress. She was a very determined woman! She also treasured and loved her grandson, Mohamud, very deeply.
My life has been deeply enriched by knowing Ms Asha. One of my greatest rewards in my life was in Asha's final days. Sometimes I would find her in inexplicable conditions. This was not due to her family. (There were other circumstances involved.) I never knew if I could rise to the occasion for that kind of job, but the Lord filled me to see that no one should ever be left to lie like that.. I would bathe her because He calls us too. Asha would look so relieved and refreshed.
See, Jesus truly calls us to love and value all, no matter where they come from or whatever position they hold as the world may deem. For Jesus sees differently and so should we. If you live your life as He calls us too, you will see the rewards are far greater than you could ever imagine. Though Asha and I could never speak the same language, when she died, my heart ached so deeply.
When Asha was no longer eating or drinking, I thought how can I serve her? What can I do to ease her pain and comfort her during this time. So I bought her some lotion. She loved the lotion and started rubbing it all over her feet..so I knew just what to do. I would massage her hands, her arms, her legs, then her feet, and her feet again. A story came to mind and I was the one that was most blessed.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Irving Bible Chuch Angel Tree
Irving Bible Refugee Christmas 2008
The Lord gave Himself to us in the form of His Son, Jesus, and spoke the word love. IBC worshippers shared the same love by reaching out to one hundred refugee children here in Dallas this Christmas. Most of these refugees are muslims from Somalia. With so many generous and lavish GIVERS, it brought tears to my eyes to see the warmth of love poured onto these children. The Somali Bantu are a forgotten group that we are reaching with the gospel right here in Dallas. These children are trying to understand the meaning of Christmas; many of whom don’t have coats, shoes, or toys. Now, we know the gifts are not the true meaning of Christmas, but we do know it gives us the opportunity to share that Christmas is different-more importantly who the true gift is. It allows us to build relationships of love. We thank you for the opportunity to bless these children. I would like to share with you some of these stories of these children: Mohamed: Mohamed lives between three homes. He used to live with his grandmother who had 12 children. She is dying of cancer and kidney diseases, and now lives with her daughter. Mohamed is an orphan; both of his parents have died. Now he lives nomadically with his uncle who cannot cook, his grandmother's home, and another relative's home where they have six children. When I picked up Mohamed the other day, he grabbed the soccer ball that was given to him by one of the IBC GIVERS, and I knew that person would never really know how much Mohamed had been blessed. Mohamed’s family is Somali Bantu. Selme: We brought Selme her present along with a Christmas tree. She has an older brother that tends to be a little bossy. So as she was opening her present we had her brother, Mohamed, (yes, a common name) help with the tree. This was a good opportunity for him to be a helper. As Selme was opening her present, she said, “Hannah Montana! Yeah! I love Hannah Montana!” I was a little shocked as I didn’t expect quite this reaction from this little 9 year old. I asked her and she said, “Everyone knows about Hannah Montana!" They were delighted to have their very own Christmas tree, and it was wonderful to have Mohamed’s energy channeled for at least a few minutes. Selme’s family is Somali Bantu. Daniel: Recently, Daniel had a very stressful experience in his life where he had to go into treatment for abandonment and attachment issues. Daniel is 9 years old. He had been found as an infant in the forest where his current mother found him. So life for Daniel has been difficult since his arrival to the States, as well as his continual adjustment to his family. He recently moved, and when trying to track him down, the Lord had blessed him with a very generous IBC GIVER! Daniel received new clothes, a jacket, toys, a soccer ball, and a Christmas tree! Daniel said he never had a Christmas tree as he stood in front of the tree with his new soccer ball. I wished I could show the picture, but as life has it, I lost my camera. Please keep Daniel in your prayers. He is living with a sweet, loving, believing, couple that really wants to help him. Pray for healing and adjustment as he starts his new school. Daniel’s family is from Rwanda. May you be as blessed this year IBC GIVERS. May you continue to join us in reaching and praying for these refugee children and families as we reach out to them as His hands and feet through our ministry at Refugee Resources, Inc. Thank you for partnering with us. In His Love, Alysa Marx
The Lord gave Himself to us in the form of His Son, Jesus, and spoke the word love. IBC worshippers shared the same love by reaching out to one hundred refugee children here in Dallas this Christmas. Most of these refugees are muslims from Somalia. With so many generous and lavish GIVERS, it brought tears to my eyes to see the warmth of love poured onto these children. The Somali Bantu are a forgotten group that we are reaching with the gospel right here in Dallas. These children are trying to understand the meaning of Christmas; many of whom don’t have coats, shoes, or toys. Now, we know the gifts are not the true meaning of Christmas, but we do know it gives us the opportunity to share that Christmas is different-more importantly who the true gift is. It allows us to build relationships of love. We thank you for the opportunity to bless these children. I would like to share with you some of these stories of these children: Mohamed: Mohamed lives between three homes. He used to live with his grandmother who had 12 children. She is dying of cancer and kidney diseases, and now lives with her daughter. Mohamed is an orphan; both of his parents have died. Now he lives nomadically with his uncle who cannot cook, his grandmother's home, and another relative's home where they have six children. When I picked up Mohamed the other day, he grabbed the soccer ball that was given to him by one of the IBC GIVERS, and I knew that person would never really know how much Mohamed had been blessed. Mohamed’s family is Somali Bantu. Selme: We brought Selme her present along with a Christmas tree. She has an older brother that tends to be a little bossy. So as she was opening her present we had her brother, Mohamed, (yes, a common name) help with the tree. This was a good opportunity for him to be a helper. As Selme was opening her present, she said, “Hannah Montana! Yeah! I love Hannah Montana!” I was a little shocked as I didn’t expect quite this reaction from this little 9 year old. I asked her and she said, “Everyone knows about Hannah Montana!" They were delighted to have their very own Christmas tree, and it was wonderful to have Mohamed’s energy channeled for at least a few minutes. Selme’s family is Somali Bantu. Daniel: Recently, Daniel had a very stressful experience in his life where he had to go into treatment for abandonment and attachment issues. Daniel is 9 years old. He had been found as an infant in the forest where his current mother found him. So life for Daniel has been difficult since his arrival to the States, as well as his continual adjustment to his family. He recently moved, and when trying to track him down, the Lord had blessed him with a very generous IBC GIVER! Daniel received new clothes, a jacket, toys, a soccer ball, and a Christmas tree! Daniel said he never had a Christmas tree as he stood in front of the tree with his new soccer ball. I wished I could show the picture, but as life has it, I lost my camera. Please keep Daniel in your prayers. He is living with a sweet, loving, believing, couple that really wants to help him. Pray for healing and adjustment as he starts his new school. Daniel’s family is from Rwanda. May you be as blessed this year IBC GIVERS. May you continue to join us in reaching and praying for these refugee children and families as we reach out to them as His hands and feet through our ministry at Refugee Resources, Inc. Thank you for partnering with us. In His Love, Alysa Marx
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