The Light Shines in the Darkness

I started volunteering at Preschool Circle at the beginning of 2022 after hearing about Refugee Resources for months, through our church and through friends who were volunteering at Reading Circle. I couldn’t give a night during the week, but Alysa mentioned how Preschool Circle meets during the day and I could bring my 3 year old son, Levi, with me as a helper/participant. My husband and I had been looking for ways to engage with and serve the refugee population that lives so close to us here in Dallas. This was an answer to prayer, a perfect opportunity! Every Wednesday for an hour we get to share about the one true God, while preparing preschool age refugee kids to enter the elementary school system here in America. We read stories, sing songs, and make crafts while teaching them English and other essential skills. It’s been a beautiful thing to watch them learn. To watch them go from shy and timid, to listening and participating, it’s worth every minute I give. Not only that, but my son is growing in love for others who are different from him. I just love it. I am thankful for the exposure Levi and I get to a world outside of our own, to others, created by God in His image who look different than we do and speak different languages.  What a great picture of the kingdom of God!

Each day at preschool circle we read a story from God's word, but before we do, we all recite together, “The Bible is God's true word, it is FROM God, it is ABOUT God, and IT IS TRUE!” The stories are captivating and full of wisdom and instruction. Sometimes you can see the little kid’s “lights” click on as they understand. Other times the things we read can be confusing for them - can’t we all relate? But whatever we read in the Bible, despite what we think or feel, we know that it’s TRUE. Every story teaches us something about God. We have been gifted God's Word. There is so much wisdom and instruction, comfort and encouragement. May we ask for “lights” to click on for us as we read the Bible. May we treasure this gift and see it as Gods true word. For us. Today. Every day. As we celebrate the resurrection of Christ at Easter, may we also remember that the Word became flesh. Jesus Christ took on all our sin and defeated it. John 1:1-5 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” If you’re feeling lost, look to the Word. If you need help, look to the Word. If you are hurting, look to the Word. Praise Him for the Word!

Written by: Melissa Vander Hey