Updates From Us

We've been having a ZOOrrific time!

It has been an absolutely amazing experience taking groups of Thrive's Youth to the zoo. We got to witness the wonder and beauty of God's creations firsthand, and it was truly inspiring to see how much the kids enjoyed and learned from the experience. From the majestic tigers to the playful monkeys, the kids were captivated by the animals and the way they interacted with each other and their environment (I think some of the kids fit more in with the monkeys than the humans). It's been a great opportunity to not only teach them about the importance of respecting and caring for God's creations but also to build relationships and memories that will last a lifetime. We can't wait to plan our next adventure together!

Our Youth Mentorship Program has been approved to start at McMurray Middle School starting this fall! We are so excited to pour into the middle school students at McMurray. But we need your help! Transportation will be an issue so please pray for resources for the program. We also will need volunteers to help be student mentors. So please consider volunteering with us this fall!

SMILE YOU'RE ON CAMERA

One of the areas refugees lack health education is in oral hygiene. Most of our families have lots of dental problems due to poor pre-natal nutrition and diet. So we created a little competition to see who could brush their teeth every day for one month. We gave each house a color coded calendar and whoever checked off their name everyday would win. So far, Eh Reh managed to brush every single day. Needless to say her reward was an ice cream bigger than her head!

WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD?

Who doesn't love a good home cooked meal? Especially if it's fried chicken right? Our Karen families sure do love fresh from the farm meat, especially when they can fix it themselves. Nothing like a few live chickens running around your house! A huge thanks to our partners at Working Mission for donating us chickens to give to some of our refugee families.

ESSAY FROM A 9th GRADER

Krit Moo was telling me about a homework assignment she had that was an essay about immigrating to America. Krit came here when she was in 3rd grade from a camp in Thailand. I have known her since her arrival. She's funny, charming, spunky, and just recently started working her first job at Urban Promise. I asked her if she might share her essay so that I could share it with Thrive people. 

"As a refugee, Thrive helped me and my family a lot. They help bring us food, take us to fun places, they make our family happy and they support my family and I. But they do more than that, they help my family and I ever since we've been in America, and I'm grateful for everything they have done for me and my family. But I am mostly grateful Ms. Kori because if it wasn’t for her we wouldn’t know about Thrive and she been with us ever since we first came to America, i’m grateful for everything she done for my family, even if she busy or struggling she still help us no matter what, she would always found a ways to help us even if she can’t do it herself. I’m also grateful to Mr. Kevin and Mr. Troy because they help my family out a lot ever since we've been here and I’m grateful for everything they have done. 

   I feel so lucky that I know them because sometimes I wonder if I have never met them, I wonder what my life would be like. And I am grateful for everyone who goes to Thrive. Even If my life is hard as long as I have them and my family, that is enough. I've known them for so long. I feel like I have known them my whole life and I can act like myself around them.

   I want to give this to Ms. Kori because I feel like she is my other mother who would help me when I ask and take me to places. I'm so happy to have her in my life, and I wonder what I would do without her. And I'm grateful for everything she has done for my family.

   One day I hope I can do the same thing she did for us and repay everything she has done for my family." -Krit Moo

True Girl Crazy Hair Tour

On Sunday evening, April 21st , five of our elementary girls were invited to attend the

True Girl Crazy Hair Tour. Crazy Hair Tour - True Girl. It was a night of bright, loud, and colorful fun. While there, with our crazy hair, we sang and danced our hearts out, all while hearing about our true identity in Jesus, standing up for what is right, and learning that “Normal is Overrated”. The girls learned the story of Queen Esther and scripture about how much Jesus loves us.The highlight of the night came when one of the seven-year-olds prayed for the first time and asked Jesus to be her savior! Donors like you made this night possible for these children and made an eternal impact!

Spring is in full swing

The weather is hot one day and cold the next. It makes it hard to figure out when to clear out the old clothes and make way for the new! But, as you do, we would like to encourage you to donate your gently-used clothing to one of Thrive’s partners, ThriftSmart. Through ThriftSmart’s Give Smart Program, when you donate clothing and shoes to them, they will donate gift cards to us. To date, Thrive has received over $100 for our families to shop at Thrift Smart. Recently, one of our volunteers was able to help a family of seven shop for summer clothes. The two oldest siblings are receiving scholarships to attend Beach Camp and are thrilled to be able to get everything they need for their first trip to the beach at the end of June.

ThriftSmart is located at 4890 Nolensville Road, Nashville. When you enter the store,

immediately to your right is a scale and a notebook. Weigh your donation, write down

the information in the book, and be sure to write Thrive South Nashville on the line that

says “Name of Organization”.

R&P Case Manager

At the end of December, Kevin started a new job as a Reception and Placement Case Manager at Inspiritus (one of the 3 refugee resettlement agencies in town). He is responsible for newly arrived refugee's first 90 days in America. This includes airport reception (as seen above), securing housing, applying for social benefits such as food stamps and Tenncare, school enrollment, medical appointments, cultural orientation, and more. Because of this connection, Thrive now has the opportunity to welcome brand new refugees to our city!

Micah 6:8 The Lord has shown you what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humble as you live in the sight of your God.