When I first joined Reading Circle, I didn’t know what to expect—what my reading partner would be like, where he would be from, or what he might believe. But I quickly discovered how this program brings together children and families from all over the world. From there, it becomes deeply personal, as mentors and mentees not only work on reading and learning English but also build friendships and share the hope of the Gospel.

My mentee, Ahmad*, came to the United States with his family from Afghanistan. He grew up speaking Farsi and practicing Islam, but here he has quickly learned English and become a talented reader. Ahmad is outgoing and honest, always eager to talk about his family, friends, and the things he enjoys, like soccer and music. He is also open about what he and his family believe regarding Jesus, Christianity, and Islam, which has made our conversations especially meaningful.

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When I moved to Dallas a few years ago, I was looking for a nonprofit where I could volunteer that met both spiritual and physical needs. In the Lord’s kindness, I found Refugee Resources! From the moment I stepped into Reading Circle, I was struck by the way the staff and volunteers serve with humility and joy. They consistently show up not just out of duty, but because of their love for Jesus and the refugee families of Vickery Meadows. Their Christ-like example is what drew me in and what has kept me volunteering for the past year and a half. As I’ve shared about my experiences at Reading Circle with those around me, several of my coworkers have been inspired to get involved as well. It has been such a joy to see more people join in what God is doing here.

One of the greatest gifts of my time at Reading Circle has been my friendship with Esther*. Esther was the first student I was paired with in January 2024, and we've been together ever since. She was shy and reserved in the beginning, and I started praying for the Lord to open up space for trust and deeper conversations—not just about reading, but about life and faith.

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A pound hit the side of my car window. I startled—then laughed in relief as I saw Daw’s smiling face beaming through the glass. Moments later, I was surrounded by Daw and his siblings—Anger, Ashan, Nyabol, Ashuil, and Mobel—along with several other students, all eagerly asking if there was anything they could do to help set up for our End of Summer Celebration. It was a moment that captured so much of what this past year has meant: transformation, trust, and the joy of community.

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I first heard of Refugee Resources from mentors and roommates over the years, and it didn’t take long for God to place on my heart to serve. I knew Refugee Resources was different because it beautifully pairs the two hands of the gospel; physical and spiritual needs. Literacy and learning English for a child new to America is vital to their growth and success, but a relationship with Jesus is vital for life to the fullest. The beautiful intersection of these two approaches have been my experience with Refugee Resources.

Leading up to my first week serving with Reading Circle, I prayed God would bond my student and me together and break down any barriers so that the child I was paired with would feel safe enough to want to learn. As always, God answered my prayers the night I met Sarah* in December 2023. She walked in, we sat down together, introduced ourselves and I noticed how nervous she was for her first time in Reading Circle. Almost immediately we both noticed we had large and defined dimples when we smile. I told her it was so cool that we both have dimples when we smiled, and she lit up! In that moment, God gave us a very simple bond and since, has given us a sweet friendship. 

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I was initially introduced to Refugee Resources through an old college roommate while talking about volunteer opportunities around Dallas. Though I had limited extra time in my week between work and other commitments, I knew I wanted to serve somewhere that would be high- impact, somewhere I felt I would truly make a difference. Reading Circle was a perfect fit. International missions and global issues are something I have cared about for a long time, but always felt like I wasn’t in the season of life to affect real change. Spreading the gospel to all people happens every day in our city, and I have the opportunity to participate in a small but important way.

I have been serving at Reading Circle for a little over a year now and it has been a challenging yet rewarding experience. I have worked with three students in that year, with a wide variety of ages and reading levels. Candidly, some weeks are hard especially during the busy season of life when weekdays blur together and my calendar feels like a checklist of commitments, but showing up for Reading Circle is so, so worth it. Each Tuesday night, my student shows up ready to learn and see his friends. And I show up, prayerfully ready to use the Bible story, memory verses, and the atmosphere of focused, personal attention to share God’s love with him.

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When I first started Reading Circle, I had grand aspirations of being paired with one student, building a friendship, investing in that student’s life, and being there to support them long term. As often happens in life, God had different plans for my Reading Circle journey.

My first student only lasted one month in the program, and the second for four months. After that, I worked with a student for three months and then six months. I am currently working with my fifth student and have been with him for three months. I never thought this would be the path God would take me on. Although I knew all of these students stopped the program for valid reasons, I definitely became discouraged with the turnover rate, and struggled with feelings of frustration. In my worst moments, I even began to feel unsympathetic to the plight of refugees in general and the difficulties they experience. I struggled with self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy. Am I not good enough for these kids? Why does God even have me at Reading Circle? Am I actually making a difference here or is this a waste of time? 

Paul writes in Galatians 6:9: “Let us not become weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” 

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Spring is a time when everything feels fresh and renewed, offering us the opportunity to reset and remember what is most important in our lives. As the seasons change, we are continually reminded of God’s faithfulness and His call for us to joyfully serve those around us.

I was introduced to Refugee Resources in September 2021 through my church and friends who also serve as mentors in the program. Until then, I had no idea that a large refugee population lived just a few miles from me. It has been a blessing and an eye-opening experience to spend time each week with students, forming relationships and learning from them just as much as they are improving in their reading and comprehension skills.

Since joining, I have mentored two students, both elementary and middle school girls. My current student, Sofia*, arrives early each week eager to work on our reading passages and vocabulary. During drop-offs each week, I’ve also gotten to know her family a bit – and though her parents don’t speak English, their kindness and joy transcend any language barrier.

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I’ve never considered myself "a reader." For most of my life, I read only out of necessity. Looking back, I realize how easily a fundamental skill like reading can be taken for granted. I grew up in a typical suburban, middle-class household in Richardson. I never had to learn a new language, and I was surrounded by family and friends offering support—though at the time, I didn’t fully appreciate that. Reading was just something I did, not something I focused on.

My journey to Refugee Resources actually started several years ago when my wife, baby daughter, and I spent a couple of years in Agadir, Morocco, where I worked for an energy company. That experience was such a blessing for my family. The people we met were kind, family-oriented, and many were quite devout in their Muslim faith.  We developed deep, meaningful relationships with many of them which continue to this day.  After returning to Dallas, I often reflected on my time there and couldn’t ignore the desire the Lord had placed on my heart for people of the Muslim faith.

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Starting a new year can be filled with emotions. Excitement for what’s planned in the year ahead. Anxiety around the unknown. Hope for something to come to fruition. While I never got around to writing down my new year's resolutions – or “hopes” as I like to call them – these emotions were still felt as the calendar flipped from 2024 to 2025.

At Refugee Resources, navigating new beginnings is something we’ve grown accustomed to. Refugee families in the area are constantly moving in and out – so that means our students do as well.

Sui* is the third student I’ve had the opportunity to work with and learn from at Refugee Resources, following moves from two prior students. Over the past seven months, Sui has been committed to her Bible verse memorization, already memorizing over a dozen verses, and has begun reading out loud with confidence. Sui listens intently during our Bible story time, asks thoughtful questions, and looks for opportunities to learn from her peers.

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Consistency. It’s something I think about a lot. Am I being consistent in my relationships? Working hard at my job? With exercise? Managing my time? So many parts of our lives will only reap benefits when we do them consistently. If I don’t consistently reach out to friends or family, it’s more difficult to have a close relationship. If I am often double-booking myself or not following through on commitments, others will know that I am unreliable. I don’t just expect and pursue consistency in myself, but I desire it from others. And this didn’t start when I became an adult - it started early. Though they probably couldn’t quite verbalize it, the students at Reading Circle desire consistency, too.

When I first met Par* in the Spring of this year, she was extremely reserved. I would see glimpses of her silly personality as she interacted with her older sister, but as we talked and read together, she remained serious and even a little apprehensive. With Par, consistency was key; however, that consistency was not just me showing up on Tuesdays - it was the consistency and kindness of the Lord, paving the way for trust and a relationship to grow.

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Wow. 2024 has flown by. The holiday season is already here and I find myself chasing my tail more than usual — running to the airport to catch my last minute Thanksgiving flight, looking for gift recommendations for my nieces and nephews, and googling how to cook a ham without burning it (t’was a success, don’t worry). In the midst of the busyness though, I’ve had pockets of time to reflect — and as I think about Reading Circle specifically, I find myself immensely grateful for the love this organization has for refugee students and their families. It has been an absolute privilege to join in under Alysa’s leadership and mission and I have learned so much from these families. To see firsthand how these students and their families view the world is humbling and my hope for this blog is to recount some of my favorite moments that I’m especially thankful for.

I started volunteering with Reading Circle a few years ago and during that time have mentored a few different students. I met my current student, Daniel*, a couple years ago when he was working with one of my good friends as his mentor. When my friend ended up moving out of town though, I had the immense privilege to take over as Daniel’s mentor moving forward. It has now been almost a year and a half and it didn’t take me long to learn that Daniel was basically a 7th-grade genius. 

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I was first introduced to Refugee Resources when moving back to Dallas after college. At the time, I did not know much about the organization, but having served in a similar capacity in college, I found Refugee Resource’s mission inspiring and felt compelled to join! Little did I know what all the Lord had in store for me and how He would use my time for His glory and my good! I have now been serving for a little over three years and over the course of that time have had the opportunity to mentor three different students. Although two of the partnerships were brief, I learned so much from each of these students and the Lord revealed His character to me in mighty ways. Time with these kids has taught me what it looks like to meet people where they are at, to truly and attentively listen, and how the Lord is sovereign in the way His plans unfold in the lives of these students and in mine.

The student I have worked with the longest is named Andrew*. I have had the privilege of working with him for a little over two years now. Reflecting back on the time we have spent together, it is crazy to think that he was quiet and reserved when we were first paired up. Getting to work with Andrew for so long has allowed me to build a genuine relationship with him and as we spend more time together, his vibrant and fun loving personality has begun to show more and more. He loves spending time with his friends and will talk your ear off about all things soccer; all you have to do is give him the chance! Andrew is one of the sharpest, most determined kids I have ever met. He does not back away from a challenge, but rather welcomes them; continually blowing me away with how quickly he picks things up.

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I cannot remember what I expected when I first signed up to be a weekly mentor with Reading Circle, but teaching students to read during a world-wide pandemic was definitely not it. I started my journey with Refugee Resources during the dark days of COVID-19 with many businesses and ministries still closed to the public and human relationships still mediated through social-distancing protocols. I can remember it was a great puzzle figuring out how to minister to students, how to teach them the nuances of English vocabulary and the depths of scripture through germ shields and masks. Especially since almost no student viewed their mask as strictly a mouth-protection device; it was more of a utility instrument to be used as a slingshot or hat as the situation demanded. It was both exhausting and invigorating, heartbreaking and hopeful. It was all that I expected it to be, and more than I expected it to be, and somehow nothing of what I expected it to be all at the same time. If that doesn’t make any sense, all I can say is, well, it’s time to learn more about Reading Circle. 

I’ve been proud this past year to serve as Hakizimana’s* mentor. I’m proud of him for the obstacles he’s overcome and even more proud of him for the obstacles he is still overcoming because no matter how hard the challenges, Haki has never given up. It’s not easy to sacrifice school nights after long days in the classroom to spend time working on vocabulary workbooks and reading comprehension tests. It’s even harder to sacrifice summer nights when friends are out playing soccer, but Haki has made those sacrifices every week. He has committed himself to a discipline of learning that I believe will yield payoffs far surpassing his investment, that will help him establish a foundation from which he can continue building his education and career. 

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In a heartwarming journey of growth and courage, I would like to introduce Esther*, a young lady with a less than easy beginning. Esther was shy when I first met her, navigating the unfamiliarity of her new home in the U.S., the challenges of learning a new language, making new friends and starting a new school. Everything was new. Even more difficult than that, she had recently lost her mother to illness in the refugee camp her and her family were living in prior to traveling to the U.S. 

The loss of a mother and then a move to a new country where the language and culture are new would be a struggle for anyone, least of all a young child. While these challenges could have broken Esther, she never let them and even though she has all the reasons in the world to make excuses, she doesn’t. 

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When I first moved to Dallas in the fall of 2020, serving the refugee community in my new city was not on my radar. While I had participated in different service activities throughout my time in high school and college, I never had the opportunity to serve refugees before. I was also utterly oblivious to the fact that I lived right down the street from Vickery Meadows, a large refugee community in Dallas. God, in His sovereignty, introduced me to Refugee Resources in the spring of 2021 through a friend who asked if I would be interested in filling in as a mentor for a few weeks. What started as a substitute position quickly turned into a permanent role, and I’ve now been serving on Thursday nights for over three years!

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As my journey through high school comes to an end and I begin to turn the page to the next chapter of my life, I cannot help but reflect on the opportunities I have been given and the communities I have been a part of, such as sports teams, student government, and school clubs. My community service through Refugee Resources also comes to mind, as it has been one of the most impactful and eye-opening experiences of my young life. As the editor of my school newspaper, I enjoy telling stories. I believe the best way to convey the impact that serving as a Refugee Resources’ mentor has had on my life is through the stories of the students I have been able to work with. 

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1 Thessalonians 5:14

“And we urge you brother, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak. “

As a volunteer, Tuesday nights hold significance for me. It's a time when I step into a space where ages and cultures collide; amidst the diversity there's a beautiful unity in our shared pursuit of learning and growth.

I'm continually amazed by the determination of these children, many of whom are navigating not just a new language, but also the intricacies of a different culture. Walking into a room and learning in a second or third language can be incredibly intimidating, but it's also a testament to their resilience and tenacity. 

It's not just the students who face challenges; as mentors, we encounter unexpected twists and turns each week. Sometimes, we find ourselves with an extra student or without our assigned mentee. In those moments, we adapt and embrace the opportunity to support whoever crosses our path. 

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Inspired by the following verses:

Titus 3: 4-7

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

John 13: 34-35

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Ephesians 5: 1-2

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Luke 23: 35-36

And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!”

My wife, Lindsey, and I have been serving with Refugee Resources for the past several years and have worked with refugees in Vickery Meadows for roughly a decade.  This past fall, our oldest son, Cohen, began volunteering as a mentor, and the three of us now serve together every Thursday evening.  What began as a “mom and dad thing” has become a “family thing” for our household, with our oldest daughters babysitting our youngest children while we’re away.  In our household with nine children, everyone has a part to play!  In a sense, we serve each other so that we may serve others.⁠

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The purpose of any charitable endeavor is to help people, but the thing that initially drew me to Refugee Resources was how many ways they sought to specifically help kids. From spreading the word of God to kids whose families have relocated to the United States to helping them improve their reading, or in some cases helping them start learning to read altogether; I knew this was an organization that was right for me. I will always be grateful to my wife, Jessica, for introducing me to Refugee Resources and to Alysa for allowing me to be a mentor. That journey began four years ago.

In the ensuing years, I have been blessed with three students, Happy, Mohammod and Ezatulah, all of whom I absolutely adored. Each one was different, but we were always able to bond in our own unique way. As is the nature of this program, whether it be because they age out or any number of other reasons, these amazing kids eventually move along into the next phase of their life. You are always happy for them ... but, selfishly, also a bit sad. I felt particularly heartbroken when Ezatulah left. I had loved all three of my students, sometimes I say, “my kiddos,” but I began thinking that perhaps it was time for me to move along to another endeavor as well. Then, along came Ling Thang.

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On her knees, side by side with her husband, a mother pleads with the Lord on behalf of her children. Sui Tin Par is no stranger to trials and tribulations, but despite all she has gone through in her life, she retains unbending hope for the future. It is this hope that has carried her through all of life’s challenges and continues to do so even now. Let us take you back to 1992 to a little village named Lung Kahin in Myanmar where this incredible story begins. 

From a young age, the Christian faith was important to Sui and her family. She grew up watching her parents attend church in her small village and Jesus was always a part of her life. This upbringing of attending church and Sunday school every week was just the beginning of what would be a lifetime of God’s faithfulness and mercy poured out onto her life. 

When Sui was eighteen, she made the brave decision to leave her home, family, and everything she knew behind to move to Malaysia alone. When recalling this decision, she says that she felt like “she didn’t have a choice.” There were so few opportunities for work or earning an income in Myanmar that Sui felt her best option was to leave for a better future. Little did she know that God was orchestrating her steps to bring her not only a loving husband, but also a family who would become her pride and joy.

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