Leslie

I have a story to tell. . .

My Prayer
is that you embrace the place God has for you in His redemption story of the nations.

Hi, my name is Leslie and I have a story to tell. Not my own, but of the people God has deeply engraved on my heart. My dear, brave, and remarkably strong friends from Syria. You may remember in 2014 and 2015 the endless stream of news pouring into our media about the Refugee Crisis in the Middle East, the Civil War in Syria, and the terrors of ISIS. In March of 2019, as Syria entered its 9th year of Civil war, the number of refugees reached 6.7 million. 

As millions of hurting souls who had lost everything, from their homes to their loves ones, made the difficult decision to leave their beloved country, to trek out across the desert, to flee in the night packed into a car like cattle, and to brave the treacherous waters of the Mediterranean, it rapidly became the biggest humanitarian crisis of our time. And I had to ask myself, what would I do? Could I possibly be a part of the good in the middle of such darkness and be a bearer of hope to the brokenhearted?

 “Pour out yourselves for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be as mid-day.” Isaiah 58:10. 

This question has fueled much of my life these past three years. It has taken me to Jordan, Iraq, and even California where many of the Syrian refugees were resettled. It has inspired my desire to learn Arabic and understand that there is so much more to these people than the label refugee or even Muslim. Far more than these labels, they are people just like you and me with the same hopes, dreams, and aspirations. 

When I came to San Diego in August of 2018, I was introduced to the community of refugees here and to a non-profit organization named Everhome. Immediately, I had a connection with the mission statement of this organization. Not only were they serving the refugees in tangible ways, but by using the universal language of art, which I love, they were creating a safe environment for Syrian women and young Syrian girls to express themselves and to learn simple skills. I began volunteering with them regularly in the Spring of 2019 and am now officially part of their team as a Communication and Voluteer Coordinator. The opportunity to be able to write, capture and be so intimately involved in something I am passionate about has blessed me in countless ways. 

And I want to invite you into the blessing! This journey of mine was never meant to be done alone and I am so grateful for the people the Lord has already surrounded me with to encourage and support me. As I feel called to focus my time and effort into this  organization and to sharing Jesus’ life changing love with these people, would you consider supporting me in impacting this community of refugees, to pouring out ourselves for them, and responding to their affliction? God wants to expand, and to build, and to grow His kingdom and what a unique opportunity it is that He uses us in the process! Whether you commit to pray, give a donation, or share what God is doing, my prayer is that you embrace the place God has for you in His redemption story of the nations.

Art Inspiring Change is a registered 501(c)(3) in the state of California. Federal Tax ID #47-4533432. 

Everhome is a multi-faceted program within Art Inspiring Change, developed to holistically address the many unmet needs of San Diego’s Syrian refugee community. 

To donate safely online, click the “Give” button for credit card payments. To donate by check, make check payable to “Everhome” and mail to: P.O. Box 230821, Encinitas, CA 92023