Meet Kelvin: a determined father and husband

When Kelvin* left Afghanistan, he was forced to leave quickly and without his family, his life in danger because of the assistance he had given the US military. He didn’t know if he would ever see his wife or six girls again, and he had no idea about what life would be like in the United States. All he knew is that he needed to hit the ground running and find a way to send support to the family he left behind and start working toward securing their freedom. 

Unlike many refugees who learn some English before coming to the United States, Kelvin’s fast resettlement meant he didn’t have this language foundation when he landed in Dallas. By God’s grace He found a connection and friendly face who spoke his language at Mosaic Family Services who was able to help him with a stable living situation and a job at a food manufacturer. There was just one problem: his job was two miles away and he didn’t have transportation. Not to mention his shift went from 2pm to 2am, which meant walking home through a dangerous part of the city in the middle of the night 6 times a week.

OnRamp DFW volunteers Jon Lilley and David Cherry meet with Kelvin and his Advocate at Mosaic Family Services

As the OnRamp DFW team has had a chance to interview and meet with Kelvin, our conversation has often turned toward what it would be like to be in his shoes. When we see the obstacles he has to overcome, the personal sacrifice he is willing to make, and the anguish of knowing his family is being intimidated and threatened because of his choice to oppose the current leadership, we are overwhelmed for him. We are also moved to do whatever we can to help him. 

When God tells us to help strangers among us, I think He is talking about Kelvin. Though there are many refugees who have resettled in Dallas, (and we hardly have the resources to help them all!) Kelvin is one God has brought directly to our doorstep. We want to be the conduit through which other followers of Christ can show tangible love to the strangers God has brought to our city.

Our goal is to give Kelvin a small and reliable vehicle to get him to/from his job and be able to tap into the resources he needs to learn English and other skills. A vehicle will also help him to meet with various agencies and lawyers he will need to work toward freeing his family that are still in Afghanistan.

Would you help us provide Kelvin and others like him with a vehicle and a year of maintenance? We estimate it takes about $10,000 to purchase a reliable vehicle, have it inspected and prepared, and then maintained for a year.

*Kelvin’s story is shared with his permission, though his name has been changed to protect him and his loved ones.