When you walk into the Thursday evening ESL class at the apartment of one of our Sudanese families, you’ll likely be greeted with warmth, laughter, and the joyful energy of children running in and out. At the center of it all is Lyn Lindell, a dedicated World Relief volunteer whose heart for teaching and problem-solving has shaped her life’s work.
A Lifelong Educator at Heart
Lyn’s journey into teaching began in the 1960s, when special education was still an emerging field. She got her degree from Peabody Vanderbilt and spent the next 30 years teaching preschool special education. Along the way, she also volunteered at community centers, helping neighbors who didn’t speak English find their footing.
“I’ve always believed learning is the key to life,” Lyn reflects. “ESL keeps your mind open, not just to the needs of others, but to the perspectives of others.” Even in retirement, she never stopped teaching, from tutoring her grandchild to discovering the ESL community that eventually led her to World Relief.
“ESL keeps your mind open, not just to the needs of others, but to the perspectives of others.”
Joining World Relief
Lyn began volunteering with World Relief in September of last year, right as Sophia, a Sudanese mother of four, and her daughters arrived in Spokane. What started as an assignment to support one family quickly expanded:
“There’s no way to work with just one family when the Sudanese community is such a tight-knit group,” Lyn laughs. She now teaches multiple Sudanese families, focusing on practical English skills that empower women to find jobs, access childcare, and navigate daily life.
Her presence has made an impression. “Sometimes they’ll ask, ‘This is your job, isn’t it?’ and when I tell them I volunteer, their mouths drop. They had no idea so much of what World Relief does is because of volunteers.”
The Joys and Challenges of Teaching ESL
Language barriers mean that she and her students don’t always know one another’s backstories. But that hasn’t stopped meaningful relationships from forming. “We joke together, we share little things we know about each other, and we learn just by watching one another interact. You pick up so much more than words.”
Her Thursday classes often focus on essentials like greetings, telling time, or writing down a name and address. But the moments that stand out most to Lyn aren’t about lessons completed, they’re about relationships formed. “It always warms my heart, every time I go, to be so warmly welcomed. The children, although shy at first, run up and call my name. It’s so genuine.”
An Invitation to Others
For Lyn, volunteering with World Relief has been an extension of a lifelong calling to teach, connect, and learn. With our Sudanese families, she gives her time and skills freely. In return, she receives something just as valuable: the gift of shared humanity.
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to help someone learn English, navigate a new city, or simply feel welcomed, Lyn’s story is a reminder that ordinary people can make an extraordinary impact. The friendships built, the laughter shared, and the practical support given are life-changing, not only for newcomers, but for volunteers too.
World Relief relies on people like Lyn to come alongside families who are rebuilding their lives here in Spokane. And there’s a place for you too.
Want to learn more about what these Sudanese families are coming from? Check out what’s happening in Sudan: https://worldrelief.org/blog-whats-happening-in-sudan/
