“I am excited for the mission field God has sent me to in the west metro”, exclaims Sharon, an Arrive Ministries’ SALT Site Coordinator. Sharon has been a SALT tutor for five years and expanded her role two years ago to also serve as coordinator. Even without classes, parents are now open to have their kids tutored with SALT.”
In addition to 18 tutors at the west metro site, ten Crown College students began volunteering this year to help kids with their homework as an extension of SALT. Thanks to the Raspberry Bridge apartment complex, 16 elementary age kids are getting valuable extra schoolwork help each week.
Initially, the Raspberry Bridge management was hesitant to provide a meeting space. But when the Somali families told the staff it was for SALT, they suddenly opened access to the community room! “It was a miracle” said Sharon.
Unfortunately the tutors cannot meet in person now due to COVID19. Instead, they are connected virtually, providing care and connection. “We are in relationships with so many more families,” Sharon says. “Even without classes, parents are now open to have their kids tutored with SALT.” One student had the opportunity to eat dinner with her Somali family and relationships have flourished as trust is built… Nothing in the world can match this blessing of knowing that God is at work.”
“The Somali families really adopted us into their homes” continued Sharon. “One student had the opportunity to eat dinner with her Somali family and relationships have flourished as trust is built… Nothing in the world can match this blessing of knowing that God is at work”.
As relationships deepen, so do opportunities for ministry. One of the Somali families had a sick baby who was hospitalized. Three SALT volunteers were earnestly praying for the baby and told their Somali friends that they were asking God to heal the baby. Sharon recently shared what happened: “Praise the Lord! The little one was finally diagnosed correctly. The new medication took effect and within a few days her fever was gone.”
We thank God for the SALT volunteers who joyfully serve in the west metro mission field. It is indeed a fruitful and delightful ministry!
