Joan Okine

CFNA Associate

Joan okine

I was born and raised in Accra, the capital city of Ghana. In 1999, I joined my husband Michael, who had had become a seminarian at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis in 1997. We had two children then, Eve and John. Our third child, Jude was born here in St. Louis. The saddest day of our lives was when Eve died on May 2, 2020. We lean on Jesus, looking forward to seeing her again on the day of the resurrection.

I currently work as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) at Lutheran Senior Services in Laclede Groves. Several years ago I started going to the “Heart-to-Heart” program that met once a month. I enjoy meeting all the women and the conversations we have, including sharing Bible studies. I also enjoy the ethnic foods that we share during the gathering.

I got to know about the CFNA through my husband. This year I became more involved in the activities of the CFNA. I started to volunteer at the Health and Wellness clinic, as well as helping with ESL students. I love the conversations that we have, helping to make them feel at home.

When I was taking a class (Applied Science in Human Services) at St. Louis Community College, Forest Park, I talked to Pastor Stanish about doing my practicum with CFNA for the semester because there was a program about drug addiction that I was interested in.

Along the way there became a need for a health and wellness facilitator because the current one was leaving for medical school. I offered myself and was accepted for the position. It has gone well. I have been able to encourage many people who were not interested, to take the COVID-19 vaccination which we offer at the Peace Center. Thankfully, many accepted the invitation.

CFNA is doing really important work for people who otherwise would find it hard to understand things in America. I pray that many more people would be helped by CFNA and that many of those people would also then become involved in helping other New Americans, and helping them to come closer to Jesus.

By Joan Okine
Messiah Lutheran Church