The story below one Austin Stone mom, Christie Neville, exemplifies how anybody can be involved in serving the nations right here in Austin! For more information on how to serve refugees in Austin, see our blog series and then let us know you are interested in serving!
I had to share this story with you about our missional community group and families living on mission. It is really sweet.
Today, our group hosted a mother's day celebration for the mothers/women at one of the refugee complexes here in Austin. We wanted to bless and honor them - especially given that these women are not well regarded in their own countries.
We brought over cakes and drinks and roses for each of the women and put together 26 beautiful food baskets. Our missional community group donated all the food (fresh fruits/vegetables/beans /rice) and supplies. On Saturday, we had the kids put the baskets together at the park, it was a huge family affair. On Sunday, we had the kids and families deliver the baskets as well as host the mother's day celebration. They not only served the refugees cake and drinks but really connected with them. It is Amazing how much can be communicated with few words!! (the refugees spoke little
English)
We also hosted some of the Nepalese women at our weekly prayer time and luncheon. We had 3 Hindu and 3 Christian refugees join us on Friday in Westlake! We had the privilege of praying for them (and then taking them to the mall of which they had never seen [KEEP READING]
Refugee Services of Texas, Inc. (RST) is accepting interns for the Summer and Fall of 2010. The Austin Stone has partnered with RST for the past few years as we have learned how to best serve refugees. RST is a great organization committed to the success and self-sufficiency of refugees in Austin. This is an excellent opportunity to be ‘For the City' as well as gain tangible cross-cultural experience. Internships are unpaid, and start and end dates are flexible.
Why should you intern with RST?
• Gain an understanding of the policies and procedures involved in implementation of the US Refugee Resettlement Program.
• Gain in depth knowledge of Texas' social service system
• Have a deeper understanding of diverse populations and cultures from around the world
• Improve conflict resolution skills.
RST is a non-profit agency which serves newly arrived refugees and asylees, and provides education and training around issues of human trafficking. Incoming refugees tend to come primarily from Burma, Iraq, Bhutan, Iran, Somali, and Cuba. RST works with the US Department of State to provide clients with case management, job training, cultural orientation, and mental health counseling, as needed, and links them to resources for other basic needs. RST's mission is to provide refugees with resources, referrals, education and guidance to ensure successful and self-sufficient lives in Texas.
Internship Duties:
• 20-40 hours per week for 10 weeks
• One on one client [KEEP READING]
The Austin Stone loves serving refugees in our city. A number of our missional communities have "adopted" refugee families. If you are interested in serving in the refugee ministry of the Austin Stone, check out our blog series.
There is currently a refugee family from the Middle East now living in Austin with dire, immediate needs. You can serve this family in the following ways:
Take the refugee kids to school and pick up them afterwards
Help run errands (such as to the grocery store, etc.)
Help watch the kids on the weekend.
Spending time with the mother as she stays at home during the days.
Providing meals for the family.
If you would like to help out in any of these ways, please email Matt Kirk. Matt is having a volunteer orientation meeting at his house on Monday, Feb. 15 at 7pm. Email Matt to RSVP.
- French (only for Thursday)
- Burmese (both days)
- Vietnamese (both days)
- Spanish (Wed. only)