Bashir was struggling to help his children follow a good path in the midst of their new exposure to American culture. He found friends to help him at the Best Choices Expo where Home for All Nations partnered with Global Youth Day..
Bashir* looks back on the last six years of being in America as both wonderful and very difficult. Life was hard in Afghanistan and he’s very grateful the American government brought him to America in appreciation of his military service. He’s especially thankful for the safe, quality education his school-aged daughters enjoy.
With his wife taking care of several little ones, Bashir often feels a bit overwhelmed trying to meet the huge expenses he never imagined, like rent in the city of Houston, Texas. Most concerning for Bashir is the popular American culture that mixes lots of good with plenty of materialism, immorality, and disrespect. Bashir’s often pondered, “How can I possibly help my children hold on to the good values that matter to me so much?”
These feelings made Bashir extra happy to receive the invitation to the Best Choices Expo at the park. He knew the Home for All Nations team that was planning it. For several years he had helped the Griswolds and Puertos whenever they distributed clothing to the Afghan refugees. He’d brought his little ones to the children’s programs before.
At first Bashir watched carefully to see what the group was teaching. He knew they were Christians, but quickly saw that they focused on areas of commonality with Muslims, teaching the children about honesty, respect for parents, the importance of prayer, and much more.
On March 21 Bashir came to the park for the Best Choices Expo with his wife and all four children. They were met by a big group of over 125 volunteers. Bashir didn’t know anything about the fact that this was Global Youth Day, the Sabbath on which Seventh-day Adventist churches around the world do their best to involve their young people in service. What Bashir saw was many young Pathfinders dressed nicely in their uniforms. Several led him and his children to the first of six stations.
Melissa Gonzalez and her team taught Best Choices for Health, featuring nutritious food and an anti-alcohol and drugs message. That resonated well with Bashir’s committed to avoid pork and alcohol.
At another station, Best Choices for Friends, Bashir’s children laughed as they watched Muja Hanif and her friends act our various scenarios to illustrate the difference between good and bad friends.
Next, they crowded around Liuba, the leader of Best Choices for Family, as she seated them around a dinner table, helping them experience the fun of a family that shows respect and gratitude.
Bashir happily received a handout in Persian and English at the next station, Best Choices for Technology. It told how parents could equip their children against internet bullying, prowling, and negative content. He watched in admiration as Dr. Xavier and Bisset worked to inspire the children to choose fun activities rather than too much media entertainment.
Meanwhile, Bashir’s wife sat on a mat spread out for the women with cookies and dates. One of them read aloud another handout, in the Dari language, prepared to help them reinforce the 6 areas of good choices their children were learning about.
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Bashir’s smile was huge as he left the program. He didn’t know that the volunteers were feeling that they were the blessed ones. Bisset said, “I loved seeing the Afghan families so joyful and at ease as they learned about our incredible God, who welcomes and embraces every one of us. The kids were so eager to learn and engage in the lessons!”
Laurentiu, who had helped his wife Liuba at the dinner table station said, “We were blessed to be around the children to engage them in discussions about family and community relationships. It was an amazing experience for all the participants and for us as well!”
Melissa said, “It was special, fun, and fulfilling to teach about health while also showing them God’s love in a real and caring way.”
Julie Griswold, Home for All Nations’ outreach and prayer coordinator, added, “I loved having a circle of mothers all discussing and learning different ways to help their children make good choices. It was so encouraging to see them so engaged!”
Another of the organizers, Jannel Gentius excitedly reported, “The Best choices expo was a refreshing reminder of what an army of youth rightly trained and directed can do to spread the gospel and show God’s love to the world.”
Is there a lasting impact besides these moments of inspiration for attendees and volunteers? A week later, Pastor Scott Griswold, the director of Home for All Nations, was leaving the church plant which the team has started for Afghans and others. He felt impressed to drive behind the apartment complex near the park. Bashir was out walking with three of his children and they began to talk.
“I really enjoyed the program last Saturday,” Bashir said. “I’ve been thinking. If this world followed the teachings of Jesus, we wouldn’t have all this crazy war and fighting.”
Pastor Scott was thrilled to hear Bashir talk so openly about Jesus. Bashir asked whether or not the Bible was accurate and trustworthy. Pastor Scott affirmed that the followers of Jesus had written His words down carefully. With a smile he said, “Don’t you think that we can trust God is big enough to now allow anyone to corrupt it?”
Bashir looked thoughtful and said, “I’ve started reading the Bible in English, but I’d like to read it in my own language.” Pastor Scott was happily surprised and decided to get him a Bible in Pashto, another significant language in Afghanistan.
On that same weekend, Carlos, another leader in the church plant was impressed to call Fredrick,* one of the Best Choices Expo volunteers who had shown interest in helping further in this ministry. They talked about Bashir and how much he’d enjoyed the program. Frederick said, “I got his contact information and I’m just wondering how best to follow up. With your call, I know this is God’s will. I was just asking God to show me how He wants to use my life.”
There are many more people out there like Bashir, looking for friendly and dedicated people who will help them navigate the challenges in the new country they have moved to. Will you be one of those people like Frederick who responds to this need, believing it to be God’s call to extend His warm welcome?
Share what God is putting on your heart with Home for All Nations by writing to scott@homeforallnations.org.
You can also request a copy of the handouts in English or Dari/Farsi.
*Names are changed to protect privacy.
