Confessions of a Ride Volunteer
Driving to the third and final student on my route, I hear soft whispering from behind me, where R is sitting. Is she praying? Is she nervous about my driving? Curious, I turn around and find R absorbed in her ruled notebook before her, practicing the list of vocabulary and sentences from her ESL teacher. Meeting my gaze, R breaks into a gentle smile, “Thank you for remembering me. Thank you for bringing me to class.”
R’s handwritten notes from her Journey 4 English class at Voice of Refugees.
I confess that I never saw this coming. It’s been 2 years since I last had R on my car, and if I were to describe R based on past interactions, the words might include: pursed lips, distrusting, self-reliant, bitter, fist clenched. Relentlessly asking for things, she seemed hardened and uninterested in social connection. Nothing like the woman I have in my car today! But…how??
Before I even had time to think, we arrived at G’s community and she climbs in. G is from Egypt. R and G quickly begin a conversation! Despite being older learners, how refreshing it is to see them asking about each other’s husbands, food preferences, and daily routines - completely in English!
As we approach VOR, R learns forward and whispered something to A, a young Afghan mother in the front seat. A listened intently and shared, “R feels worried that VOR isn’t finding enough volunteers to help with rides. Last week, she didn’t join class because there was no one to drive her.” Deeply moved, I said aloud, “Let’s bring all our worries to God. He knows our needs. He provides.” The same moment, we see before our eyes an auto shop at the intersection, with a sign saying “Faith over Fears.”
Something clicked in me. What I’m noticing is something eternal: real transformation in our friend R. When she first came to the U.S. and VOR, she did not trust anyone. She never let down her guard. Perhaps it was the trauma from fleeing war, or a life of disappointment, of not knowing love.
And then, she met Jesus. Through gentle grace that is not for show or for gain. Through quiet, consistent sacrifice of volunteers that show her love in action. Through the power of eternal life that breaks through fear and distrust. As the (seemingly ordinary) days went by, something extraordinary came into being. Touched by love, R is now freed to look around, enjoy learning, connect with others, and give/receive love with open hands.
What a special honor for me, the ride volunteer, to witness all of this today!
Contributed by P.F. Yan
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8
