Refugee Hope Partners Highlight
By: Justine Bowser
This week on the blog we are highlighting Justine Bowser and her work at Refugee Hope Partners in Raleigh. Justine is a member of Redeemer and has recently become a local missions partner of ours. Here’s an introduction to her work at RHP:
1. Tell us a bit about RHP, why they exist and what work they are doing.
Our mission statement is “Refugee Hope Partners exists to love our refugee neighbors with the hope of the gospel in partnership with the local church.” Since 2007, we have counted it a privilege to serve this community with the love of Christ. We aim to engage families and individuals as they face cultural, practical and emotional hurdles, equip hands, minds, and souls for independence with dignity, and encourage healthy relationships and spiritual growth with the hope that all will thrive. Most of this work is accomplished through our education platforms, though we have a wide variety of programs that reach beyond education, including medical assistance and bible studies that meet weekly. Our most attended program is Homework Help, which is an afternoon and evening tutoring program.
2. What inspired you to get involved with RHP?
After college, I served on the mission field for two years in Mumbai, India. My main focus was discipleship. It was a privilege to serve the women and youth in my local church. The Lord also opened a door for me to teach English, train teachers that worked in slums, and teach preschool for a short time.
After coming back to the US, I moved to Raleigh. A friend put me in touch with a potential roommate. She told me about the Cedar Point community and shared that she was very interested in moving into the complex. I was excited about the possibility and began to pray about moving into the complex. We went to see one of the apartments and within a few days, the Lord made it clear that He was opening the door for me to live at Cedar Point. I began to build relationships with my neighbors and got involved with RHP as a volunteer in 2016 before becoming a part-time staff member in June of 2017, and then took on a new, expanded role in September 2019. I also lead the Elementary girls bible study.
The Lord used my time in India to give empathy for people living in a new country. He also used my years living at Cedar Point to open my eyes to the challenges and hardships refugees face on a daily basis. I believe the Lord used these years to soften my heart and cultivate deep affections for the refugee community.
3. What is your role with RHP...what brings you joy in your work at RHP, and what are some of the challenges?
I’m the Early Learning Club Coordinator. ELC is attended by 3-4 year-olds from the community.
It's fun to watch the kids become more confident especially when speaking English. One of my favorite things is observing growth or progress in the students. At the end of each year, it’s great to be able to see how the kids have grown socially, academically and in their language skills. It’s a joy to see the kids thrive at the Early Learning Club. I enjoy teaching the Elementary girls bible study- they challenge me with their questions! I love visiting our families in their homes!
The RHP team works hard not to foster patterns of dependence. This can be very challenging because it’s easier to complete a task for someone rather than to teach them how to do it on their own. Our hope is that families would be independent and thrive in their new context. In light of that fact, we commit to respecting the dignity and competence of everyone, and to supporting families as they continue to grow and flourish in a new environment. Our programs, activities, and relationships consciously avoid imposing our cultural standards on their lives, fostering patterns of dependence, or treating people as a means to the end of our own growth or achievement. The language barrier is a challenge! And there are about 30 countries represented at Cedar Point.
4. Where do you see God at work at RHP?
I see God at work through our Bible studies. There are 6 ongoing Bible Studies with students grades 3-12. Our students, especially our high school boys are eager to pray for each other, to ask questions about the passages (or about any random topic), to share how they’re struggling, and to encourage one another.
I also see God at work in the lives of the adults, I could share many stories, but here are a few that stick out from the past few months…
The pandemic has allowed unique opportunities such as a weekly phone call with a very good friend who is Muslim. She’s very open to talking about Christianity and allowed me to pray in the name of Jesus for her when she was sick.
A family moved to Knightdale and the preschool-ageget in daughter received a scholarship to attend a preschool around the corner from their house. (The mom was worried that she would not be able to pay for preschool.)
The Lord opening up spots for a number of my students to go to a Wake County preschool program.
5. How can Redeemer get more involved at RHP?
Pray with us.
For protection from the Coronavirus and good health among our community, staff, and volunteers
For wisdom for the leadership team and staff as we try to make plans for the school year
For God to use this time to draw people to Himself
There is usually a monthly RHP prayer newsletter; it is currently not being sent out. Click the link below if you would like to be added to the list: https://www.refugeehopepartners.org/pray
A great way to see the impact of different RHP programs is to check out our Stories page on our website. https://www.refugeehopepartners.org/stories
Right now, there are not as many ways to partner with us in our programs. Given the circumstances, the needs of our community can change quickly. Those needs are normally communicated through our weekly newsletter.
Sign up for our weekly Newsletter. See the bottom of the home page: https://www.refugeehopepartners.org/home
If you are interested in serving in specific ways, our Starting Point orientation is the first step in learning about our programs and determining which ones may be the best fit for you. Currently, we are doing Starting Point orientations on Zoom. Email denise@refugeehopepartners.org for more information.