Promptings of the Holy Spirit

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.

I met Alysa by chance at Northwest Community Center in December of 2022. She had coordinated with my Bible study group to organize a laundry-washing event for residents of the apartments nearby. It was there that she introduced me to Refugee Resources and the Reading Circle program, specifically highlighting their need for godly men to walk alongside the growing list of boys waiting to be paired with mentors. As I mentioned earlier, a program with "reading" in the title wouldn’t normally pique my interest, but from that first day, it was clear that the relationship Alysa had fostered with these kids and their families was something special.

I know the Lord placed Refugee Resources, an organization that shared a similar heart for refugees of all faiths, in my path for a reason. These people had fled terrible circumstances in their home countries and found themselves in the middle of Dallas, Texas without the support of the community they had known. But this was a literacy program, and I had no newfound passion for literature. Once again, the excuses and justifications were right there in front of me. Any one of them was adequate for me to wait until a better time. Instead, I set aside my hesitation and simply said “yes” to the continued promptings of the Holy Spirit. Over the years, I had avoided many opportunities because they made me uncomfortable or I didn’t feel “prepared,” but God’s call to serve “the least of these” was unmistakable and something I could no longer ignore.

In the beginning, I filled in and worked with various students. Many of them were new to the program and schedules and/or language barriers led to inconsistent attendance. About a month in, Joseph* joined the program. He was the youngest student in the class that year, but he had already been involved in other programs at the community center and was eager to participate. From the start, it was clear that Joseph is full of life and all smiles, all the time! Joseph is eager to prove his skills and loves the challenge of memorizing a new Bible verse each week. He also LOVES math and is eager to sneak in 10 minutes of addition and subtraction every day, always thrilled by the praise he receives for a job well done.

But the one thing that impresses me most is Joseph’s empathy and compassion for his friends. Many of the students in the program aren’t just learning to read—they’re learning an entirely new language. Some are starting with the basic ABCs, while others are sounding out simple three-letter words. One evening, Joseph had memorized two new verses and after correctly reciting the second one he gleefully ran back to his table with his second treat of the day. Quietly across from him at the table, a friend sat, with a few tears forming in his eyes. Unlike Joseph, memorizing and reciting memory verses didn’t come as easily to him, and he hadn’t been able to memorize his verse that day, so he had no treat. He didn’t make any sound or try to get Joseph’s attention, but Joseph noticed.

Without prompting, Joseph walked over, patted his friend on the back, and handed him his extra box of candy. Now, Joseph wasn’t seeking recognition for this simple act of kindness; he simply wanted to do what he could to help his friend. This act of compassion was a true reflection of his character—one that aligns perfectly with the mission of Refugee Resources and the teachings of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Over the past two years, I’ve seen many students and mentors exhibit similar unprompted acts of kindness. Yes, these students are learning to read, but they are also building confidence through friendship, through successes, and, for many, discovering that they are truly loved just for being who they are.

What once felt like an uncomfortable step outside my comfort zone has now become a deeply fulfilling journey. Over time, I’ve built a close relationship with Joseph and his family. We frequently exchanged text messages, and even shared videos and messages when his father visited his childhood home in Burundi to explore opportunities for spreading the Gospel there. Through this experience, I’ve come to realize that the program is so much more than helping kids learn to read. It’s about building lasting connections and supporting those in need. I’m incredibly grateful for every Monday spent challenging, encouraging, and learning alongside Joseph, while also supporting the refugee community here in Dallas.
 

Written by: Daniel Tsukahara
Edited by: Emily Thompson

*Student's name has been changed to protect privacy.