All the Children of the World
While interning with long-time partner, For the Nations Refugee Outreach (FTNRO), Amy (pictured left center) was an instrumental figure in the lives of children from all around the world. At FTNRO, refugees who have come to Dallas for a fresh start can receive the resources and support they need to succeed in their new home. Amy has interned in their children’s summer programs for the past two years, sharing “Working with kids is something that I really enjoy, and it’s so much fun to be able to help these kids grow in their faith in Jesus.”
Over the summer, FTNRO invites kids to learn, play games, and hear the gospel at their resource center. As a group leader, Amy helped teach the kids electives like coding, created a safe and fun place for them to connect, and answered lots of their questions about Jesus. She shares, “It pushed me to grow and made me want to be closer to God because I’ve seen what it’s done for these kids. Their curiosity makes me want to be curious. I don’t have all the answers to their questions but I’m growing as they grow.”
The children who participate in summer programs at FTNRO come, with their families, from all over the world – some because of war or famine, others because of religious persecution or lack of opportunity. Regardless of their need to seek out a new home, they all deserve love and every opportunity to succeed. One of our roles as Christ-followers is to welcome the stranger and FTNRO is doing just that (Matthew 25:35-36). Amy shares of her experience as an intern, “It made me appreciate the life that I have more. These kids are forced to leave their home and look for a better life here. I’ve been able to put myself in other people’s shoes and learn that my ‘normal’ is not the same as everyone else’s.”
Despite the toll that uprooting their lives and starting fresh in a new country takes on these kids, they still have so much joy and remain curious about faith, the world, and their role in it. Amy reflects on her fondest memories of the kids from the past two years, sharing “Each morning, hearing the kids yell out worship songs was so wonderful. It made me feel so filled with joy watching them. Not everyone gets to see that, but I did every day, and it was so special.”
FTNRO helps families adjust to life in the United States, but their ultimate goal is to share the life-changing news of the gospel with everyone who comes in contact with their organization. Learn how you can be a part of supporting the mission of the gospel near and far at hppres.org/missions.
