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
The
World
at My
Doorstep
by Rijah Shuck ’16
36
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Cedarville Magazine
