Sometimes volunteer projects take on a life of their own. This happened to the Somalia Refugee project recently completed by Willow Creek Wheaton. On Saturday morning, 20+ volunteers stood outside a local coffee shop for orientation about refugees from Somalia
Claudia Root, shared a little about these refugees, many of whom were children in the school where she teaches. Her last words were, “Get ready for your Third World Serving Experience!” What transpired during the next few hours impacted our hearts as well as our minds.
Our first job seemed simple. We picked up trash outside the apartment complex and while doing this, refugee residents appeared from their apartments. Most just watched and smiled. Somehow they seemed to understand we there to help. Then individual teams of three to five volunteers each went to individual apartments in the complex, communicating with the families with sign language and one syllable words. After entry into the apartments, how eager the refugees were to help! Our team of four set about cleaning a small kitchen and bathroom. It was quite a shock to see this family of four in a small apartment with practically no furniture or belongings. Right away, donated clothing was brought to the family, including coats for the coming winter. The excitement on their faces was contagious. Cleaning the stove and the kitchen cabinets became the next task. The father wanted to show hospitality to us and asked if any of us wanted coffee. 
After cleaning time was over, the refugees were treated to a picnic of fried chicken, mango juice and other favorite foods the refugees liked. They met with the volunteers one last time and we all appreciated it.
The Willow Creek DuPage volunteers who participated in this service project gained knowledge about the challenge to those who come here, not knowing our language. They really do have to start over. By serving them, we learned to appreciate those who are culturally different from ourselves, which is what INSIDE/OUT is about!
Sandy Truitt
