She walks in carrying her little bundle, her 2 yr old daughter with big, brown almond eyes. It’s so cold out today, similar to her home country but it never got quite this cold.
I introduce myself and share my name and my daughter’s age and we begin a conversation about our lives. I learn that she taught at a University in Pakistan, however, in America her schooling and degrees aren’t recognized. Over the course of several weeks, we learn about the many similarities we have – we laugh, talk about food, daily life and what it is like to live in America after spending time in another country. I listen and weep with her as she shares about the time a suicide bomber entered the university she was teaching at to kill as many people possible. . . I’m humbled at all I have taken for granted. I begin to realize that there are several women here in our community with stories similar
Our friendship blooms and we continue to laugh together and discuss topics such as social justice, ecofeminism, language, and translations of cultures. I am richer knowing this woman. I learn of her loneliness here, of the limitations she has felt not having a car, learning how to cook to feed her family, to continue to be a provider for her daughter’s needs and for her family.
A God-breathed idea entered my mind the more I spent time with her. So again, I find myself in a very uncomfortable area, almost blind, but trusting God to provide this to be a new avenue to reach out to families who have moved to America for a variety of reasons.
Through the use of a variety of mediums, we are launching groups in the Fargo-Moorhead area to provide an outlet for new American women to come and gather, share stories and build community with those who want to be a part of it. Many countries are represented in our area and almost all of them will share how lonely they are. These groups are going to meet out of intentional joy and love.
Want to be involved? We need you. We need many materials to get this launched. Yarn, gift cards to craft stores, crochet hooks, a loom, knitting needles and 1-2 sewing machines.
We also would love your time. Your time to volunteer to share in the lives of women who come from places that you and I cannot imagine. These groups will be filled with intentional love and joy. A safe place to come and just be.
Other ongoing needs:
Money towards a booth at the Fargo Street Fair (goal is $700)
Volunteer Coordinator
Jewelry and craft tagging
Sewing teachers
Prayer warriors
You can donate to any of these things by clicking the Jua Project ‘donate’ link on the right side of this blog or by going to Jua’s site and donating there by using the paypal button, labeling it “Jua-USA”.
Matthew 5:13-16 talks about being salt and light to those around us. C’mon little lanterns!
