To Be His Hands

As part of our commitment to the Living Proof tour service experience -THE CONNECTIONS PROJECT - many of the Utah based TOFW & TOFG staff, presenters, and their families participated in a home resettlement for a refugee family arriving in Utah. Working closely with our local chapter of the IRC (International Rescue Committee), we had the opportunity to collect and donate furnishings and supplies and then come together to prepare an entire home for the family's welcome to the U.S. and our community. We invited one of our presenters - Time Out for Girls (TOFG) presenter Madilyn Paige - to share her reflections on her experience that day.

Spencer W. Kimball said “God does watch over us and does notice us, but it is usually through someone else that he meets our needs.” I had the opportunity to help decorate a new apartment for a refugee family from Iraq.

We were told the family has a father, mother, and four children. As I heard about this family, and their difficult circumstances, I could only imagine how they must be feeling coming to such a foreign place. I know something about moving far from home and to a new culture, as I lived in Japan for a few years. In a way, I was able to sympathize with the family, and I had even more of a desire to help out.

We arrived to an empty apartment, with different pieces of furniture and decorations that people had donated. At first, it seemed difficult to picture all the random things coming together, but once we all began to place the furnishings everything just worked. It wasn’t about the things, it was about the feeling of “home” that we wanted to leave behind.

I had so much fun doing this with my mom and sisters, putting little details on the kids rooms - like it was our own. It felt like we were decorating our own sibling's room, and it was definitely one of my favorite parts of the whole day. We really wanted the family to feel like this was their home - just like we all feel when we go to our homes.

It was also really fun getting to serve alongside some of the other TOFW presenters and their families. With each of us pitching in, we were able to finish and create a peaceful, safe place for the family in a short period of time.

I love doing things like this, and when I do, I know that for a moment my hands become the Lord’s hands. Being a part of this great service opportunity opened my eyes and allowed me to see those around me differently. I believe there are so many in all of our communities that we can reach out to and bless with our time and talents, and help them feel at home.

Ready to "give where you live?" Learn more about the IRC and how you can get involved with the Connections Project in your community: tofw.com/connections-project.