GOT A SPARE ROOM?

Since this last November my we have had the privileged opportunity to be involved with World Relief, a ministry in Fort Worth that helps refugees.

We had just moved into a larger home with quite a bit of extra room, more room than was necessary for just the two of us and our dog. We had been looking to get involved in a ministry where we could both serve together. When the opportunity arose for us to move into this house, we felt God gave us this extra space to use for Him. We first looked into housing international students at a nearby university but when that did not work out, we continued to look into other opportunities and that is when we found World Relief.

We decided to house refugee families upon their arrival into the United States. World Relief does their best to prepare the apartments before the families arrive but sometimes, that is not possible. We made our home available for these families to stay in until their apartments were ready to be moved into.

We remember waiting in our living room one evening back in November, in anticipation for our first family of five to arrive from Burundi Africa. This was the Remunde family. The Remunde family is a very special family. We immediately found out that they were believers when they noticed crosses in our house and picked up our Bible that was on a bookshelf. There was an instant bond in our hearts at that moment! The Remunde family, like most refugees, had been living in a refugee camp for the past 10 years. They fled to Namibia, after seeking refuge from a very dangerous situation in Burundi. All that the children remember is life in a refugee camp and all their parents wanted was for them to get a good education, although the kids were quite excited to learn as well!

This past Christmas was a very special time for us as we spent Christmas day with the Remunde family. Chad 's work decided to adopt them and buy Christmas presents for them. We were also able to give them a new computer that a member from 121 donated as a gift. We have enjoyed watching others get involved and serve this family that has become such a blessing to us. They have been very grateful for all of the help that they have received and they are always praising God because of it.

Since our first family, we have housed two more families from different parts of Africa and a single man from Cuba. Each family that has stayed with us has had their own unique ways about them, language & cultural differences, which has made every experience different and exciting. We do feel we have been able to give these families a welcome that has brought a sense of peace in the midst of such great change. When we go to visit them in their new homes, their faces light up with smiles of joy as they are always happy to see us. We try to visit them often and have them over to our house as well. It is so neat to see them getting jobs, going to school, learning to drive and building a new life.

It is a wonderful feeling to know we've made a difference in their lives but they have also made a difference in ours. We have developed friendships that have changed our view on the world, our hearts for God's people, and our lives forever.

::Chad and Lisa Olsen

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