Service-Minded: 5th Grade Partners with Exodus International 

The 5th graders once again partnered with Exodus World Service for their grade-wide service project. Exodus works with refugees invited by the U.S. government to resettle in America. The average waiting time for a refugee family is 11 years before they receive official approval to enter the United States. Even then, they pay for their own flights through a revolving loan fund and enter the U.S. as legal residents. They find meaningful work and pay taxes. Exodus World Service mobilizes the Christian community to welcome and befriend refugees.

This year, the 5th grade students and their families collected four household packs and two baby packs for families who have arrived in the United States in recent years. The household packs are used to replenish items families may need as they settle into their homes, find jobs, begin school, and learn the language (e.g., paper towels, dish soap, diapers, toothbrushes). The baby packs provide essential items for families as they welcome new babies.

The 5th graders were encouraged to earn and spend their own money as a way to serve others with less. Timothy students and families were incredibly generous. Over the past two weeks, five groups of students, parents, and teachers traveled to Chicago to deliver items to several refugee families. While delivering the items, the students visited, learned words in the refugees’ language, and even played games with the children.

The delivery groups were deeply impacted by the hospitable nature and grateful hearts of the refugee families, who welcomed them into their homes—sometimes even with cake and tea. Both students and adults found the experience meaningful as they were reminded of God’s call to “welcome the stranger” and reflected on how blessed we are. It has been a powerful opportunity for students to put the discipleship practice of being “Service-Minded” into action as Jesus’ hands and feet.