Christelle and her parents were resettled through Arrive Ministries in November of 2018. They were matched with an RLM team from Shepherd of the Valley Church in Afton, MN.
Christelle is 19-years-old and lives in St. Paul. She is studying to be a nurse.
Christelle was born and raised in Rwanda, although she and her family identify as Congolese.
Here’s what she had to say about the impact her Shepherd of the Valley RLM church team has had her first year in Minnesota:
“When I arrived here I was feeling lonely because all of my friends were still in Rwanda. But I met good people at Arrive Ministries. And through the church team. I feel like I have another family here.”
“We came in the winter. The team met us at the airport, and they brought bags of hats for us. They were really there for us. I am only able to be independent right now, because of their help.”
“One of the team members is helping my family learn to drive . The church team helped my sisters and brothers move up here, find jobs, daycare and schools. They brought my mom a sewing machine, so she can still sew African dresses in Minnesota.”
“Some church group members are trying to learn Swahili to communicate better with my mom and dad. Now they can share some words in both Swahili and English, which I really appreciate.”