All Posts

The week before Christmas, we had the joy of celebrating the Lydia Family’s very first Christmas. A truck arrived filled with gifts generously donated by the employees of USI, and as we carried them inside, they quickly became a small mountain of presents—each one a tangible sign of welcome and care. The gifts included clothing, household essentials, and gift cards, along with a few clear favorites: soccer cleats, Spider-Man toys, cosmetics, and cozy blankets. The excitement

We invited one of our families, originally from Afghanistan, into our home for a meaningful milestone moment. This was the first American home they had been invited into since arriving in the United States. We shared coffee and dessert together and created a lighthearted, culturally intentional experience centered on a common American question:  “How do you take your coffee?” We prepared a small coffee tasting—black coffee, coffee with cream, coffee with cream and sugar, and

When refugee women arrive in the U.S., many are eager to learn how to drive but aren’t sure where to start.

In June, a dear friend we’ve walked with for years called to say she had one last chance to pass her U.S. citizenship test in 60 days. We told her we’d help—and that she’d need to eat, sleep, and breathe this test! Three of us took turns coaching her through the civics, English, and interview portions. The final week, we studied two hours a day. On test day, Sept 12th, we got the best news—she passed! Her oath ceremony was just an hour and a half later. I was hiking on Mt. Ho