Spokane Blog

Hello. مرحبا. That’s how Hilton and Priscilla met their new neighbors, a lively Syrian family sharing their triplex. What followed was a delightful comedy of errors. First, the Syrian family assumed Hilton and Priscilla were from Spain. Then, came the guesses of the U.S. or Mexico. Finally, with a burst of laughter, Priscilla revealed the truth: they were fellow refugees from Nicaragua. 

Hassan thew himself into each word, asking for private lessons, driven by a desire he couldn’t yet articulate. A desire that would shape his future as an IOM interpreter.

In 2013, Venezuela’s economic downturn hit Evany hard. Prices had inflated and she couldn’t even buy milk. Life had previously been good in Venezuela. She was a university student pursuing Industrial Relations and expecting her first daughter, Vida – meaning life.

Ensaf was taken aback when she learned about refugee resettlement. Is there a place that helps people settle in and find stability here? A spark ignited within her. “Wow! I need to help people with an organization like World Relief.”

This week, we’re sharing stories from our staff – the real, raw, and beautiful stories – of how lives were changed, and hope was rekindled; how our refugee neighbors found a sense of belonging because of the people who welcomed them – especially volunteers. These stories remind us why we do what we do.

Nothing could have prepared Jana and Roger Dorway when they encountered a weary African family draped over the chairs at the Salt Lake City Airport. The father carried a UNHCR bag, a sure sign they were refugees. 

This is the opportunity the church in Spokane has with refugees who have come to our city. God has brought the nations to us. A pitch right down the middle. Roughly half are Christians already, persecuted for their faith.

The wail of a siren. It’s a sound most of us barely register. For Entisar and her daughters, it’s a terrifying echo of the day they fled Iran. The roar of planes overhead, the ground trembling with explosions – these are not distant memories, but vivid flashbacks that haunt their present.

Being a refugee from Sudan is hard enough, but this disabled refugee offers hope in times of uncertainty and big change.

Luckily, she wasn’t alone. With support and assistance from her Good Neighbor Team, Robina successfully found an apartment, enrolled her children in school, and attended medical appointments. In the process, a genuine friendship blossomed between Robina and the kids, and their support team.