Four people representing elementary education in Iowa-Missouri recently sat down for an interview with 3ABN’s Shelley Quinn on the network’s 3ABN Today television program.
Present were Julie Olson, principal and upper grades teacher at Andrews Christian Academy in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Karma Roberts, principal and pre-K to 1st grade teacher at Des Moines Adventist School in Des Moines, Iowa; Leah Ishimwe, a former refugee who attended Andrews Christian Academy for grades 2 through 8; and Joe Allison, education superintendent for the conference.
The interview highlighted the role Iowa-Missouri’s schools and local churches are playing in providing services to local refugees and immigrants, as well as an invitation for people to join these efforts through prayer and financial support that provides tuition assistance for refugee and immigrant students to receive a quality Christian education. Emphasis was also given to how others may become involved with refugee populations in their own areas.
Leah also shared her testimony, describing how God spared her parents’ lives during a time of violence and bloodshed in Rwanda, what her early childhood was like in a refugee camp, the experience of coming to America, and her mother’s commitment to provide a Seventh-day Adventist education for her children.
The interview, which aired on 3ABN and 3abn.org on March 24, is available above. Please continue to keep our schools and this vital ministry to refugees and immigrants throughout our conference in your prayers, and please consider supporting these life-changing efforts financially.
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This story was originally published on March 18, 2019, prior to the interview’s airing. It has been updated to include the interview, which was made available for streaming by 3ABN on March 26.
