Cedarville Magazine, Spring 2014

While ice skating in Dayton, I noticed a young girl on the ice. Although she was trying her best, she kept falling down, and I’d encourage her progress in different ways. I commented to the gentleman with her that she was getting better. He told me this was her first time on the ice — she and her family had recently come to the United States from Africa where they had been refugees. He was part of a local refugee ministry at Christ the King Church, and he told me he’d been praying that Cedarville might partner with them. That conversation stayed with me after I returned to campus. I met with John Wambold, Director of Community Ministries, and he helped me develop a plan to start a ministry. At the beginning, the ministry’s focus was on an immediate need to help high school students prepare for the Ohio Graduation Test. These students were from Sudan, the Congo, and Ethiopia. Few were fluent in English, yet they were required by law to be in school, and that included testing in an unfamiliar language and format. I found two other Cedarville students to come with me to work with these students. I didn’t know yet whether the University would approve this as an official ministry, but either way, I was determined to keep coming back. I became interested in working with refugees as a result of one of my Cedarville elective classes where we learned about the political, economic, and religious challenges refugees face. The course gave me a passion for helping these people in whatever way I could. Starting a ministry as a freshman was a unique way to begin my Cedarville experience. I was not only adjusting to college life, but also learning to balance my course work with other campus activities, such as discipleship groups, Bible studies, and intramurals. With encouragement and advice from upperclassmen friends, I decided to make the refugee ministry a top priority in how I managed my time. Two things changed the following semester. Cedarville approved the ministry, which gave me access to funds that helped cover the cost of our gas and supplies. The focus of the ministry also shifted. I sensed that God was leading me and showing me a need to pour into the refugee children. Over the next two years, we gradually developed an Awana-style ministry with children ranging from 8–13 years old. We not only spend time teaching them the Word of God, but also playing games, doing crafts, and developing meaningful relationships. The children have been through so much, and some of them still have difficult home lives. Our priority is to create a loving environment where they can just be kids. Our commitment to the ministry and to the children is so important. As college students, it is a challenge at times to be there when we say we will be there. It forces us to plan ahead and manage our time so we can keep our word to the children. Not that this is ever a hard choice; the children are so joyful, welcoming, and loving to us that we want to be there. We go hoping to have an impact on their lives, but the children have made this a life-changing experience for me and for the others who are involved. This ministry has brought me face-to- face with the reality that exists outside of our “Cedarville bubble.” When I see the brokenness in these children’s lives, it reminds me that I am blessed and take so much for granted. My childhood was not marked by death, war, losing family members, or running for my life. This experience fuels my passion to be involved in missions, and it has increased my drive to reach the unreached. Rijah Shuck ’16 is a nursing major from Arlington, Ohio. Since founding the Christ the King Refugee Ministry in 2012, she has served as its team leader. Learn more about Community Ministry opportunities at cedarville.edu/christianministries . The World at My Doorstep by Rijah Shuck ’16 36 | Cedarville Magazine