Volunteer Of The Month - Robyn Moeller
/Volunteer of the Month - May 2013
People from all over the world have always been a part of my life. My Aunt Mary was active with a Vietnamese family our church sponsored and included me with visiting and sewing clothes for them. Her family hosted an exchange student from Australia and later, a student from Thailand lived with my family for a year. I came to St. Louis to enter Washington University’s Master of Social Work program, where I made a wonderful friend from Taiwan. After receiving my degree, I spent a year in Australia and New Zealand living with and working for farm families in an agricultural program. I returned to St. Louis, was blessed with marriage and 2 daughters and our family became active with International Student Ministries, St. Louis, sharing in developing international relationships.
At Our Savior Lutheran Church, Fenton, I became involved with their Missions Board. Betty Hea, who has a heart for international people, provided our congregation with opportunities to serve New Americans. We became active with families who’d come from refugee camps, providing household items, teaching about America, and being friends. Betty became familiar with Christian Friends of New Americans and encouraged our congregation’s support.
In November 2011, I was invited to a training event at the Peace Center and was introduced to a family from Africa. Since this first visit to the Peace Center, I began serving as a weekly tutor and developed a lasting friendship with this New American family. It’s a joy to work with the other volunteers and to be a part of building relationships with the students. Romans 12:11-13 comes to mind: “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep our spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” I’m inspired by the courage of the New Americans to enter a culture which is so different, including the language. It’s rewarding to try to help ease this transition in a small way through my involvement with CFNA.