Covered in Prayer, Growing in Grace
Dear Friends,
As we step into a new season of Reading Circle and Preschool Circle, we are continually reminded of God’s faithfulness. Week after week, we see His hand at work through the smiles of our students, the dedication of our mentors, and the prayers of our community. This newsletter is a glimpse into what He is doing here at Refugee Resources—from powerful stories of mentorship, to bold prayers for our students’ faith, to important steps we are taking to ensure their safety. We hope you are encouraged as you read, and we thank you for standing with us in prayer and support. Together, by God’s grace, we are transforming lives—one child at a time.
With gratitude,
Alysa Marx
When Godly Men Lead
Aung, Thura, and Samir* are three refugee boys in our program who are in desperate need of mentors. Every week, they show up eager to learn and grow, but what they long for most is the steady presence of a man who will walk alongside them. Each of these boys once had a mentor, but for various reasons, their mentors had to step away—leaving them without the consistent guidance they so deeply need. As Bob Proctor once said, “A mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you than you see in yourself and helps bring it out of you.”
The truth is, male mentorship is life-changing. Boys thrive when they have men who not only help with reading and learning but also model integrity, faith, and resilience. A godly mentor reminds a young man that he is not alone—that he is valued, capable, and deeply loved by both God and his community.
Right now, there are not only Aung, Thura, and Samir, but many other boys on our waitlist who have been waiting over a year for a mentor. These boys are longing for the steady presence of a man to come alongside them—someone who will guide, encourage, and point them toward a brighter future.
We invite you to join us in prayer—for God to provide faithful men to step into this need, and specifically for Aung, Thura, and Samir. Pray that He would raise up mentors who will invest in them with wisdom and compassion. And as you pray, ask if the Lord might be calling you—or someone you know—to be that answer. One mentor, rooted in God’s love, can truly change the course of a child’s life forever.
*All three students' names have been changed to protect privacy.
Creating a Safe Place for our Students
In light of the heartbreaking disasters and violence that have shaken communities across America in the past months, we are reminded of the importance of being prepared. While we cannot control the brokenness in our world, we can take intentional steps to protect and care for the students God has entrusted to us. Our desire is to create an environment where children not only feel safe, but also know that the adults around them are equipped to respond wisely and calmly in the face of emergencies.
That’s why we are beginning to incorporate preparedness drills into our Reading Circle and Preschool Circle gatherings. Just as schools practice safety routines, we are now walking our students through fire, tornado, and intruder drills. These drills are not meant to cause fear, but to build confidence—helping students know exactly what to do in a crisis. Our prayer is that through these simple steps, our students and mentors alike will feel more secure, cared for, and ready for whatever challenges may come.
Salvation Springing Up from the Ground
Isaiah 45:8 gives us a beautiful picture of God’s redeeming work: “You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness flourish with it; I, the Lord, have created it.” At Refugee Resources, we are holding tightly to this promise as we pray for our students—that salvation would indeed spring up like fresh growth from the ground, bringing new life to their families, schools, and communities.
Many of our students already know Jesus and have placed their trust in Him. Yet we know that walking boldly in faith is not always easy, especially for young people navigating school, friendships, and the challenges of growing up in a new culture. We long to see them strengthened in their faith so they will stand firm in truth, unashamed of the gospel, and ready to share it in both word and action.
Our prayer is that these young believers would be salt and light in their classrooms and homes. That their joy, integrity, and kindness would point their peers and families back to the love of Christ. And that their voices would not be silenced by fear, but instead used to declare the hope of the gospel to those around them. Imagine the ripple effect if even one child boldly shares Jesus at home, or stands up for their faith at school—salvation could truly spring up in places where it has never taken root before.
We invite you to join us in this prayer: that God would raise up a generation of refugee students who are not only thriving academically, but are also standing strong spiritually—students who carry the good news with boldness into their families and communities. May their lives be living testimonies of God’s saving power, bringing hope and righteousness to the world around them.
Every Nation, Every Tongue
One of the most beautiful parts of Reading Circle and Preschool Circle is the incredible diversity of our students. They come from many different countries, cultures, and backgrounds, each carrying a unique story of resilience and hope. Together, they form a vibrant community where differences are not barriers but blessings. This richness is especially evident in the many languages spoken among them—ranging from Burmese, Arabic, and Swahili to French, Chin and beyond. Each language is a reminder of the nations God has brought to our doorstep and the beauty of His creation expressed through culture and voice. When our students gather, the sound of their laughter and conversation is a living picture of Revelation 7:9—"from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb."
Our 79 students together represent 14 different languages from around the world—a beautiful picture of God’s diverse creation gathered in one community.
What's Next?
We would love for you to join us in this mission. Whether by stepping in as a mentor, faithfully praying for our students, or giving generously to support this work, you play a vital role in transforming lives. Every act of love and partnership reminds our students that they are not alone—that they are seen, valued, and deeply cared for. Together, we can plant seeds of hope that will grow for generations to come.
Another simple yet powerful way to get involved is by purchasing items from our Amazon Wish List. These supplies directly equip our students and programs, providing the tools and resources they need to thrive. It’s a tangible way to make a big difference and meet real needs in real time. By donating prizes, snacks, and preschool learning toys from our Amazon Wishlist, you’ll be fueling joy, fun, and encouragement.