I would love to share with you a most amazing story about how the hand of the Lord works and weaves and brings redemption! I am using the color as it brings about the color of Spring, Easter, Hope and New Life..and I believe, trust and now that this is what it has done in the life on one young man in the city of Kampala, Uganda!
You might think well, I thought Refugee Resources, Inc was just a ministry here in Dallas? Well it is..but Appolinaire saw my profile on Plaxo and asked to be my friend. So I asked my board member Pastor Kambale about Appolinaire and his blog and where he was from? Pastor Kambale happened to be from the very same area in the Congo and encouraged me to share with this young man who was struggling and was the same ages of my adult children. Appolinaire has started calling me Mum, I believe out of respect, and needing hope! Appolinaire had been in a refugee camp but fleed because of the uprisings and how many people had died! We think that of the refugee camps are safe but this is not always the case..and then some of his friends were killed in the city..I kept encouraging him in the word...that the Lord did have a hope for him and a future..to remember the songs of his youth. Pastor Kambale has a friend, Pastor Kawade..through various emails we were able to get Appolinaire and Pastor Kawade in touch with each other through his grace and technology!! Pastor Kawade has a Bible School in Kampala!! Pastor Kawade was able to minister to Appolinaire's heart and soul. He gave him some food and prayed with him. Appolinaire has applied with the International School of Missions and we are anxiously awaiting to hear of his admission as the committee meets this weekend! If accepted he will begin the next semester in May! Refugee Resources Inc has already set up tuition for his 1st semester! More than likely Appolinaire will be accepted as he already has three years at the University of Goma.. The hand of the Lord is so good in how he works and weaves for good!!! Bringing hope for a new generation!! Thank you Lord for how you connect lives, people and bring hope to make change for a brighter tomorrow!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Family Fun Night
Family Fun Night is always that, it is just fun! We sing songs! Of course we laugh and have silly game time because we always enjoy a great shaving cream time with the Lake Pointe Youth Group..they are such great sports! Our lesson for tonight was about how Adam and Eve ate the apple out of disobedience and made a tragic mistake and caused us to be broken. There are two glasses: the me, me, me mirror that says Love Self and all we can see is ourselves and the other is see through and that glass says Love Others! But there isn't any way that we can do that without the Lord because we are broken! We need Him! The kids and parents really seemed to understand this concept and pointed to the fact that they didn't want to be the one that was about Self but the one that Loved Others! That is what building better families and better communities is all about! Then more singing, our traditional favorite is Big House and a few favorite others! It was time to load up the bus and go home. Thank you Mr Monte, Truett Elementary and all of our volunteers!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Visiting Refugee Families
I always love being able to visit the families that I work with, catch up with them and today was one of those days! I was delivering flyers for our Community Outreach for Building Better Families and Better Communities at one of the government complexes where I work. At this particular complex 49 refugee families live, and today was a day to share hugs, and get the news on each of these various families!
We had two new move ins, two new babies, one family had moved, one little girls cuts and bruises were all healed up, one family wanted to know where they could buy a used car, and we all were looking forward to seeing each other again tomorrow for our monthly meeting at Truett Elementary School! So today was a fun filled day of sharing, laughing, planning, and making plans to see each other again tomorrow!
These friendships and families are truly close to my heart! I would highly recommend this investment of your time to anyone!
We had two new move ins, two new babies, one family had moved, one little girls cuts and bruises were all healed up, one family wanted to know where they could buy a used car, and we all were looking forward to seeing each other again tomorrow for our monthly meeting at Truett Elementary School! So today was a fun filled day of sharing, laughing, planning, and making plans to see each other again tomorrow!
These friendships and families are truly close to my heart! I would highly recommend this investment of your time to anyone!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Project Hope
Project Hope!
Project Hope is our opportunity to partner with various foundations, church's, civic groups, Sunday School Classes, Youth Groups, Children's Ministries, Individual Donors, anyone that would like to participate in helping to send a refugee student to summer day camp at Hidden Acres this July or Aug for four awesome days of inspiring, life changing opportunity for these students!
We raise scholarships for these students to attend the camp each year and we are 1/3 of the way towards our goal for this year. We have raised $20,000. Our goal for this year is to send 250 refugee students age 5-15 for the weeks of July 20-23, 27-30 and Aug 3-6. To send one refugee child to camp is $250 per student.
The students grow in their English skills, conflict resolution, team building, understanding Jesus love for them, developing in their creativity,singing, swimming, fishing, boating and gametime in a retreat setting in the country that allows them to be out of the city & violence and be renewed in their hearts for a future and a hope.
This experience for these children is a highlight for them every year. During the school year the students share with their teachers about camp, they sing the songs all year long and reflect upon the lessons learned.
Most of these families live in government subsizdized housing and the children do not have opportunities to have special outings. To attend summer camp at Hidden Acres is more than something special. Camp is truly a joy. These children dream about camp all year long and truly treasure it in their hearts.
Won't you consider joining with us and being a part of Project Hope?
You may consider getting a group together and having some type of fundraising project. You may certainly email me with any questions at alysa.marx@gmail.com
Please send you tax deductible donations marked scholarships for refugee students to summer camp at Refugee Resources Inc. 9310 Forest Lane #348-499, Dallas TX 75243
Thanks for joining us in sending these amazing kids to camp!:)
Project Hope is our opportunity to partner with various foundations, church's, civic groups, Sunday School Classes, Youth Groups, Children's Ministries, Individual Donors, anyone that would like to participate in helping to send a refugee student to summer day camp at Hidden Acres this July or Aug for four awesome days of inspiring, life changing opportunity for these students!
We raise scholarships for these students to attend the camp each year and we are 1/3 of the way towards our goal for this year. We have raised $20,000. Our goal for this year is to send 250 refugee students age 5-15 for the weeks of July 20-23, 27-30 and Aug 3-6. To send one refugee child to camp is $250 per student.
The students grow in their English skills, conflict resolution, team building, understanding Jesus love for them, developing in their creativity,singing, swimming, fishing, boating and gametime in a retreat setting in the country that allows them to be out of the city & violence and be renewed in their hearts for a future and a hope.
This experience for these children is a highlight for them every year. During the school year the students share with their teachers about camp, they sing the songs all year long and reflect upon the lessons learned.
Most of these families live in government subsizdized housing and the children do not have opportunities to have special outings. To attend summer camp at Hidden Acres is more than something special. Camp is truly a joy. These children dream about camp all year long and truly treasure it in their hearts.
Won't you consider joining with us and being a part of Project Hope?
You may consider getting a group together and having some type of fundraising project. You may certainly email me with any questions at alysa.marx@gmail.com
Please send you tax deductible donations marked scholarships for refugee students to summer camp at Refugee Resources Inc. 9310 Forest Lane #348-499, Dallas TX 75243
Thanks for joining us in sending these amazing kids to camp!:)
Sunday, March 7, 2010
The Simple Things
Today, I had the simple pleasure of teaching Maggie, an 8th grader..how to bake simple slice and bake chocolate chip cookies! To be honest, we think that everyone should already know how to use an oven or really figure out something as simple as a Nestle's Tollhouse Slice and Bake Cookie? But for a refugee family, this is just as difficult as any of the other tasks that these families have had to overcome...
No one has come before them, or shown them how to do these simple everyday things that yes..I have to admit I take for granted. So it is always with great joy that I have the fun to share the small things that I know..and yes even bringing awareness to others all around us of what huge blessings we have..that sometimes we forget...
Now back to Maggie, yes she was quite delighted with her new found success, and we went on to also make a popcorn cake..yum yum!! One for my neighbors and one for her to take home to share! Well, Maggie's brothers were quite impressed when I shared with them as I picked them up for church..our usual Sunday evening drive..that it was Maggie that indeed who made the cookies! Their eyes were wide now with new found respect for their sister..hoping that she just might make some more at home for them!:) Just maybe so..as Maggie smiled with a grin! Eventually cookies from the beginning!:)
No one has come before them, or shown them how to do these simple everyday things that yes..I have to admit I take for granted. So it is always with great joy that I have the fun to share the small things that I know..and yes even bringing awareness to others all around us of what huge blessings we have..that sometimes we forget...
Now back to Maggie, yes she was quite delighted with her new found success, and we went on to also make a popcorn cake..yum yum!! One for my neighbors and one for her to take home to share! Well, Maggie's brothers were quite impressed when I shared with them as I picked them up for church..our usual Sunday evening drive..that it was Maggie that indeed who made the cookies! Their eyes were wide now with new found respect for their sister..hoping that she just might make some more at home for them!:) Just maybe so..as Maggie smiled with a grin! Eventually cookies from the beginning!:)
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Tutoring Pays Off!
It was so much fun to check in with the leader of the tutoring, Frank Alexander for Dallas Christian Schools the other day to see how it was going with the middle schools kids! Frank had been sharing about how faithful the girls had been in coming, studious, and very sweet.
This is always great news to hear! Frank then went on to share that this last week one of the students shared that she number one had no homework this week, but number two she scored the highest of the grade that they had helped her study for the last week! Everyone was so pleased all around! The tutoring had paid off!
Faida was grateful for the help and the tutors were grateful that their efforts had made a difference! It is fun too because Faida is a motivated girl who wants to learn! So thank you to those who come and want to make a difference in the lives of others!
This is always great news to hear! Frank then went on to share that this last week one of the students shared that she number one had no homework this week, but number two she scored the highest of the grade that they had helped her study for the last week! Everyone was so pleased all around! The tutoring had paid off!
Faida was grateful for the help and the tutors were grateful that their efforts had made a difference! It is fun too because Faida is a motivated girl who wants to learn! So thank you to those who come and want to make a difference in the lives of others!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Sala
It is always so exciting to see progress in one of our clients/friends. They become family to us. This story that I am going to share with you is about Sala.
When Sala was hired for her new job, she first had to give two weeks notice to her current job. If she didn't pass the test than she was without a job. The pressure was on. Sala was sent home with a booklet to study and that was about it. She had to study all about security for the airport to become an employer for housekeeping.
You can't imagine all that she needed to learn. The hardest thing for Sala was not only learning about the new English words but to say them, understand their meaning and the consequences of someone breaching the security of the airport security. Sala and I studied hard for two weeks. We even did a field trip out to the airport so that she could visually understand what she was studying. We made note cards, practiced over and over again. Her whole family got involved with helping her to study as they began to understand a new way of what it meant to study. New words of security, restricted, sensitive, identification, administration: these were big words for a person to comprehend, to say with confidence and understanding.
When the big day came for Sala came to take the test she missed the test by one point. She was devastated! The next day, one of our board members and her befriender cleared his schedule ~ Pastor Monte Slaver and took her back out to the airport and again Sala missed the test by one point! Monte went over with Sala the importance of understanding the English language and how sometimes in a True and False statement some things are true and some things are false and you have to decide what parts are true and what parts are false. Sala knew the material but she was getting confused with the T/F questions, with this new information on how to understand the English language and how to decipher the question Sala was ready to go back on her own and tackle the test one more time.
This time she got all the questions correct!! That is why befrienders are so important to the refugee! To help guide, assist, advocate, encourage, pray and be there to help them along the way. Someone just to say "You will make it"!!
So many times Sala would say, "I just don't know if I can do it" and then we would stop right then and pray and ask the Lord to help her understand the material. The Lord is so good for providing for her and for friends like Monte! We are so thankful for her new job and that Sala has progressed in working so hard in learning more English! Way to go Sala! Thank you to her family for encouraging her in the process! We are extremely grateful for her new job!
When Sala was hired for her new job, she first had to give two weeks notice to her current job. If she didn't pass the test than she was without a job. The pressure was on. Sala was sent home with a booklet to study and that was about it. She had to study all about security for the airport to become an employer for housekeeping.
You can't imagine all that she needed to learn. The hardest thing for Sala was not only learning about the new English words but to say them, understand their meaning and the consequences of someone breaching the security of the airport security. Sala and I studied hard for two weeks. We even did a field trip out to the airport so that she could visually understand what she was studying. We made note cards, practiced over and over again. Her whole family got involved with helping her to study as they began to understand a new way of what it meant to study. New words of security, restricted, sensitive, identification, administration: these were big words for a person to comprehend, to say with confidence and understanding.
When the big day came for Sala came to take the test she missed the test by one point. She was devastated! The next day, one of our board members and her befriender cleared his schedule ~ Pastor Monte Slaver and took her back out to the airport and again Sala missed the test by one point! Monte went over with Sala the importance of understanding the English language and how sometimes in a True and False statement some things are true and some things are false and you have to decide what parts are true and what parts are false. Sala knew the material but she was getting confused with the T/F questions, with this new information on how to understand the English language and how to decipher the question Sala was ready to go back on her own and tackle the test one more time.
This time she got all the questions correct!! That is why befrienders are so important to the refugee! To help guide, assist, advocate, encourage, pray and be there to help them along the way. Someone just to say "You will make it"!!
So many times Sala would say, "I just don't know if I can do it" and then we would stop right then and pray and ask the Lord to help her understand the material. The Lord is so good for providing for her and for friends like Monte! We are so thankful for her new job and that Sala has progressed in working so hard in learning more English! Way to go Sala! Thank you to her family for encouraging her in the process! We are extremely grateful for her new job!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
New Tutoring
On Wednesday of the week, Feb 17, Dallas Christian School volunteer students began tututoring the middle school refugee children at Shiloh. I love when our American students reach out and give beyond themselves to those that have not been blessed with the everyday things that our students just have and "get!" This teaches "our" students to look beyond themselves from an early age to build better communities right around them, and that it doesn't take very much effort on their part but to give back to different communities and how blessed we are in America. I also love this program because it teaches reconciliation between these communities, building better relationships, helping the volunteers learn to teach and the refugee children to learn to ask for help. Whether it be trying to understand English at a different level, science or math skills, the Dallas Christian School students find that they are capable of teaching their new found refugee friends wherever the road may lead. Bridges are built, relationships are formed and better families and communities are formed all around. The students are able to go home and share about who is a refugee and how they are our very own backyard neighbors and these students are able to assist them. The refugee students are open to learning because they want to be better students and make progress at school and help their families become sustainable here in America.
Thank you Dallas Christian School for being willing to partner with RRI on a once per week basis! These students lives and futures will certainly be blessed!!!
Thank you Dallas Christian School for being willing to partner with RRI on a once per week basis! These students lives and futures will certainly be blessed!!!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
The Olympics
Well, I will share something that not too many people know..I used to be a pretty good athlete. I dove springboard and platform and was qualified for the 1980 Olympic trials. I had to quit diving because of an injury. Why I am sharing this is because..
What are we all watching right now? The 2010 Edmonton Winter Olympic Games! Our hearts start singing and we want our favorite athlete to win! What I want to present to you is that each of us in our own hearts is special and a great winner!
WE just have to keep challenging each other and encouraging each other!
I must share with you, that some of the stories and tragedies that these families have come through that I work with truly humble me..my life has been so blessed!
I have not had to flee my home country due to persecution, or fearing my life, or losing loved ones along the way..
I think we see heroes all around us everyday! Sometimes we just want to see the obvious and I do applaud all the hard years of work and dedication of the Olympic athlete! I have dear friends that have made the Olympics!!!
I was one of those that fought, lived for the dream and to make the Olympics is truly the Ultimate!
Yet, we have everyday people all around us..fighting to just make it one day at a time and we at Refugee Resources, Inc. walk with them to adjust to their new life here in America..and this counts too.
So each one has a perspective and they each count. So just a few words for both sides of the coin..
I love them both!!
Yes, The Olympics are Glorious!
and I love my work with Refugee Resources, Inc.
Each has a perspective, each one takes so much work, agony, adjustment, determination
and struggle..but in the end..the prize for all is great joy!
What are we all watching right now? The 2010 Edmonton Winter Olympic Games! Our hearts start singing and we want our favorite athlete to win! What I want to present to you is that each of us in our own hearts is special and a great winner!
WE just have to keep challenging each other and encouraging each other!
I must share with you, that some of the stories and tragedies that these families have come through that I work with truly humble me..my life has been so blessed!
I have not had to flee my home country due to persecution, or fearing my life, or losing loved ones along the way..
I think we see heroes all around us everyday! Sometimes we just want to see the obvious and I do applaud all the hard years of work and dedication of the Olympic athlete! I have dear friends that have made the Olympics!!!
I was one of those that fought, lived for the dream and to make the Olympics is truly the Ultimate!
Yet, we have everyday people all around us..fighting to just make it one day at a time and we at Refugee Resources, Inc. walk with them to adjust to their new life here in America..and this counts too.
So each one has a perspective and they each count. So just a few words for both sides of the coin..
I love them both!!
Yes, The Olympics are Glorious!
and I love my work with Refugee Resources, Inc.
Each has a perspective, each one takes so much work, agony, adjustment, determination
and struggle..but in the end..the prize for all is great joy!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Visiting Families at Vickery Creek
Today I went with my friend Samer to visit some of the families at the Vickery Creek Apartments. I always love to see the various families and to catch up with them. I was introducing them to my friend Samer. Samer will be bringing a youth group from Community Creek in Allen in two weeks to clean the apartments, building relationships with the families and then playing with the kids! Yes, these kids love to play!! It was especially delightful today as one of our girls since moving from Shiloh had really moved into a shell and was not speaking at school. I had received a message asking if she could talk! Of course she can talk I shared! But the trauma of moving had set her back.. Today, as I went to see her..the counselors had been working with this precious one and out came the words and she said hi and goodbye! Yeah for progress! Yeah for teamwork!
Friday, February 12, 2010
It's Snowing Here in Dallas
February 12. 2010
It is snowing here in Dallas with over 5" of snow. The schools are closed and of course the kids are thrilled! I am most thankful to all of our partners that donated coats and shoes this past Christmas and fall to our refugee families! Otherwise these dear ones would have nothing to keep them warm! So I am going to take a moment to list them all here because without our partners we would be nothing!~
Irving Bible Youth Group: High School and Middle School
Irving Bible Christmas Angel Tree
Forest Villa Elementary School Fourth Grade Classes - Flower Mound
Bent Tree Bible High School Ministry
Fine Arts Day Camp, Bent Tree Bible Church
Norma Lentz - ongoing ministry
The children are warm, they are playing in the snow and we are thankful for our many friends! Snow in TEXAS!! What fun!!!
It is snowing here in Dallas with over 5" of snow. The schools are closed and of course the kids are thrilled! I am most thankful to all of our partners that donated coats and shoes this past Christmas and fall to our refugee families! Otherwise these dear ones would have nothing to keep them warm! So I am going to take a moment to list them all here because without our partners we would be nothing!~
Irving Bible Youth Group: High School and Middle School
Irving Bible Christmas Angel Tree
Forest Villa Elementary School Fourth Grade Classes - Flower Mound
Bent Tree Bible High School Ministry
Fine Arts Day Camp, Bent Tree Bible Church
Norma Lentz - ongoing ministry
The children are warm, they are playing in the snow and we are thankful for our many friends! Snow in TEXAS!! What fun!!!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Catching Up
So much has happened since I last blogged! Summer Camp at Hidden Acres! Thanksgiving! Christmas! Christmas Conference with the Crusade Students! We have amazing friends all around! We couldn't make it as a non profit with out all of our volunteers and friends!
So since I can't write it all in one night I will begin a little at a time. The blessings of so many friends spill over and over so I am going to work on trying to remember because each one is so important. First it began with the Children's Ministry at Bent Tree Bible Church and their Hope Project. The children began saving their quarters by doing odd jobs around the house and earning quarters to help send the refugee children to camp at Hidden Acres. These children love to attend camp so much, that is the refugee children they talk about and truly look forward to all year long! The children at Bent Tree Bible Church saved enough quarters, $2000 worth that went towards scholarships for these children to attend summer camp! You can look for the links at www.refugeeresources.org www.hiddenacres.org or Yeah for kids all around!!!
So since I can't write it all in one night I will begin a little at a time. The blessings of so many friends spill over and over so I am going to work on trying to remember because each one is so important. First it began with the Children's Ministry at Bent Tree Bible Church and their Hope Project. The children began saving their quarters by doing odd jobs around the house and earning quarters to help send the refugee children to camp at Hidden Acres. These children love to attend camp so much, that is the refugee children they talk about and truly look forward to all year long! The children at Bent Tree Bible Church saved enough quarters, $2000 worth that went towards scholarships for these children to attend summer camp! You can look for the links at www.refugeeresources.org www.hiddenacres.org or Yeah for kids all around!!!
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