Students make worldwide impact through Fort Worth refugee ministry

FORT WORTH—Without leaving their home state, six university students reached people from across the world by working with a Fort Worth ministry that helps refugees assimilate into American culture.

The students, serving with the Baptist General Convention of Texas Go Now Missions program, partnered with the World Relief refugee resettlement agency.

“It’s encouraging to know that you don’t have to go overseas to do mission work,” said Lisa Olsen, the volunteer coordinator at World Relief. “There are people from all over the world that are right here, and there are people who don’t know Christ all around us. With World Relief, it’s like the world comes to you.”

This is the first time Go Now Missions has sent students to work with this evangelical nonprofit organization.

“It has been a beneficial experience for both the students and the refugees,” Olsen said.

Natalie Neesley, a junior from Texas A&M University, said her desire was to communicate a message of comfort to the refugees.

“I hope they will come to realize that they have a heavenly Father that loves them beyond measure,” Neesley said. “And no matter the pain they have experienced and are still dealing with, the Lord is their healer and will restore … their joy.”

Neesley said spending time with the refugees gave her a new challenge.

“This experience taught me to … meet people where they are, and help them from there,” Neesley said. “If they don’t speak English, then try to teach them English with the love of Christ. If they are firm that they are going to stay with the religion they presently have and have no interest in Christianity, then continue to show them love.”

World Relief’s goal is to empower volunteers to serve in their local community and encourage them to grow spiritually.

“It’s not only an opportunity to impact others through helping, but it also affects your individual spiritual walk with the Lord,” Olsen said. “These students have been called to make Christ known to the nations, and from these two weeks, we hope they can realize that they can serve every day, wherever they’re at.”

Students worked with refugees from countries like Burma, Iraq and Cuba.

“I feel like I’ve gone to … (multiple) countries from right here in the United States,” said Amanda Ratheal, a junior from the University of North Texas in Denton.

The students taught English-as-a-Second-Language classes, hosted arts and crafts activities, picked up refugees from the airport, took them to work and spent time teaching them the basics of American culture in their homes.

“We take advantage of many things that we know,” Olsen said. “Like how to operate kitchen appliances, use an American toilet … or hold a pencil.”

Olsen said among the biggest struggles for refugees is learning English, getting a job and making social adjustments.

“That’s where our efforts come into play,” Olsen said. “We assist them in those three, main aspects.”

Despite the language barrier and cultural differences, Ratheal believes refugees and volunteers built relationships.

“Sometimes you’re working with people and the only thing you have in common with them is that you’re both people,” she said. “The experience has opened my eyes to what’s right in front of me.”

Though programs are focused on developing self-sufficiency in America, the volunteers were able to witness to the refugees by communicating God’s love through their actions.

“A big part of evangelism is living out what we say we believe, and this is a good way to do that,” Ratheal said. “It’s sometimes easy to get lost in our own bubble and not recognize the needs of other people, but … if we’re all looking out for each other, our needs as a whole (community) will be better met.”