Photos by Ralph Freso
Off Dunlap Avenue in west Phoenix, the unadorned apartment complex is brightened by a group of mothers in colorful African dress and headwraps whose comradery is evident despite the broken glass, plastic bottle caps and dank smell of trash in the narrow alleyways between the buildings.
They don’t understand English well but point to dozens of children who suddenly burst around corners with glee and laughter that transcend language barriers.
GCU is here! The children rush to help Grand Canyon University students carry folding tables to a sandpit area with a small playset in the middle of the Phoenician Palms buildings.
A pack of a few dozen young children follow the students, jump on their backs and shoulders, and the little ones nestle in the cradle of their arms.
GCU student Alyssa Johnson gently holds a toddler who rests her head on her shoulder.
“She came out and followed me,” said Johnson, standing among 24 of her fellow student volunteers who arrive with joy at this complex twice a week as part of Refuge Ministry, GCU’s Global Outreach effort with children of refugee families.
Most come from Congo, Burundi, Tanzania, Burma, Afghanistan and other countries they fled from violence, political strife and poverty.
“It puts life in perspective,” Johnson said. “We are privileged.”
“How so?” she is asked and almost looks shocked at the question.
“We have food. And a house.”
Maria Nyongolo has never lived in a house. She was born in a Tanzania refugee camp after her parents fled the war in Congo in 2001. She came to the U.S. six years ago and has two children, ages 6 months and 2 years. Seventeen members of her extended family live in the apartment complex, including Charlotte Kashindi, who has three children.
“They help our kids enjoy,” Nyongolo said of GCU students. “They are our friends. We love them so much.”
“They are GCU!” adds Kashindi.
They trust students so deeply that one volunteer picks up some of the children for Sunday church.
Refuge's Tuesday night visit was among 40 ministries and events during GCU’s Week of Service to celebrate the university's 75 years, but students have come here weekly since 2016, with the apartment’s managers blessings. They keep showing up to play, do a little Bible story skit, hand out some snacks, and just love on the kids.
“Students learn how to love their neighbors as Christ would by learning these peoples’ way of life. The refugee families have gotten to have our students as their American friends who they get to do life with,” said Njenga Maina, Global Outreach manager.
GCU senior Amani Kibinda is a native of Congo and an eager volunteer who helps translate with parents because he knows Swahili. He says there is so much trust “because they see Christ in you.”
Many of the families are Muslim, so they tread lightly.
“A lot of them don’t know Jesus. But we want to show them His love, not by telling them the love of Christ but showing them the love,” said Gavin Towner, the head student leader of Refuge. “We just love them all well.”
When he first volunteered, he was taken immediately. “The kids are amazing. They are so filled with joy.”
There is a frenzy of activity, GCU students running with kids on their shoulders, playing hide and seek and tag. Others huddle around folding tables, coloring with the children. Some children just cling to the students, peering up with big eyes.
“The Bible tells a lot about the joy of the Lord, being in Christ. We see Jesus through the kids’ play,” said student leader Andrew Cuss.
Sophomore Luis Johnson said he takes time out of his busy schedule to come here because “a smiling face is enough.”
He is holding a small child who just came up to him and asked for help with his clothing. He had been looking for another child he had come to know and was told that the family had moved on. “I keep them in my prayers,” he said.
Linnea McCrady, who is holding a small child, said she didn’t have a lot of diversity in her small Montana town growing up, so it’s been an eye-opener for her. She said it showed that actions can speak the truth and plant the seeds of Jesus.
“Christ is not for people like us,” she said. “He is for everyone.”
The children pop their Flamin’ Hot Cheetos in their mouths as they gather in a circle around Towner, who is jumping around to a chant: “Have you seen my silly chicken?”
The children flap their arms and bawk.
“Have you seen my super slow sloth?”
They move slow and moan.
Then he leads a prayer as darkness falls over the dusty, sandy playground.
“We thank you for this day of sunshine, and all we value, but above all for yourself.”
Grand Canyon University senior writer Mike Kilen can be reached at [email protected]
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