by Megan Littel
There are multiple avenues for missions. Some are called to leave their homes to be missionaries in other countries.
At the International Community Center, the nations come to us.
Located on Milwaukee’s south side on Howell Avenue, the ICC is a program of Eastbrook that brings the church’s mission to Milwaukee: by loving others, we embody the love of Jesus. Since 2011, volunteers have served refugees and immigrants who now call Milwaukee home by offering adult English classes, citizenship preparation classes, and tutoring for middle and high school students.
Generally, the majority of families who utilize the center’s services are Muslim. Between August 2022 and August 2023, families from 27 different countries and speaking 22 different languages filled the ICC. Nearly 70% of these families come from Myanmar (Burma); about 60% of them spoke Rohingya, a language of the Rohingya ethnic group, while others spoke Burmese and Arabic.
Barb Deltgen, a retired kindergarten teacher, has been volunteering at the ICC for over two years. After a lifetime career working with children, Barb found herself teaching phonics and vocabulary to adults in the literacy classes. Her students vary widely in ability, from those who do not know how to read or write in their own language, to others who are multilingual and can read and write in multiple languages, and are adding English to their linguistic repertoire. This mix is often present in one class!
Volunteer teachers like Barb are provided with a variety of lessons—they are not expected to come up with their own lesson plans, which makes volunteering accessible and less intimidating. Barb describes how starting out can be nerve-wracking, but says her experience has always been fun. She has helped a woman prepare for her citizenship test, and got to celebrate with the family when she passed and became a U.S. citizen!
Two other Eastbrookers, Kurt and Tayna Schachner, volunteer weekly at the ICC by tutoring middle and high school students. They say that in their work with teenagers, it’s important to build relationships with the students’ parents. Tanya and Kurt have two adult children themselves, and say that makes it easier to empathize with the parents of these teenagers: “As parents, you want what is best for your child and for them to avoid the pressures of this world.” In addition to relating with the families, demonstrating respect and showing their desire to care for these teens is essential. When one teenage girl was struggling emotionally, Tanya took her out to lunch to offer support and love.
Talking with volunteers, it quickly becomes evident that the practical skills of teaching are a central tool at the ICC—but it’s so much more. Building relationships is the real heart and soul of the place.
During an informational meeting hosted in October, director Jim Dressner described the ICC as “the gateway to the community of refugees in Milwaukee.”Teaching English and citizenship classes are practical ways to meet needs, but ultimately the goal and measure of “success” is in building authentic relation- ships and friendships.
ICC volunteers have invited refugee families to their homes for Memorial Day cookouts and birthday parties. Equally, they are invited into the homes of these families, attend community events with them in parks or at a local mosque, and receive the blessing of their hospitality.
According to Lauri Budzynski, the ICC is a ministry that provides “an easy place to build relationships in a safe, neutral zone.” Lauri became connected with the ICC after MissionsFest 2022, and since then has been working with one woman in particular who speaks English, but was looking for the opportunity to continue improving her reading and writing skills. They often go to local libraries, pick a children’s book to practice reading, and then write a short summary. What started out as a gateway connection for teaching a practical skill has naturally blossomed into a friendship. Lauri has invited her friend to her birthday party, and in turn has met her friend’s family. There is a reciprocity of relationship; as the saying goes, friendship is a two-way street.
We know how relational Jesus is and serving at the ICC feels like a practical way to follow Him. In His ministry, Jesus served, healed, washed feet, had theological discussions, and built relationships with others. We also saw Him accepting hospitality—think of all the homes where He ate, including the home of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38).
The ICC is a ministry of relationships. Loving the nations and loving people draws us closer to the heart of God.
Many volunteers express initially feeling intimidated by the language barrier, but say relationship—and learning—happens regardless. Many adult students who attend daytime English classes bring their preschool-aged children along. To accommo- date them, a kids’ room sits in the back of one of the classrooms with toys, games, craft supplies, a play kitchen, and even a small playset with a slide. Most of these children do not speak English, but playing is a great opportunity to introduce them to the language.
During a recent visit, one little boy in the middle of playing abruptly pointed to longtime volunteer Sue Gilliland’s face and exclaimed,“eyeball!”The comedic moment was really his brain making langage connec- tions as he plays and picks up English. Volunteer Liz Kohli reminds us that communi- cation goes beyond words; there are facial cues, body language, emotions, laughter. Recently, a female student excitedly pointed to an African American doll and then pointed to her own skin, glowing to see a toy that represented herself and her child. A shared language was not needed to grasp the beauty of what that mother was communicating.
When you first enter the main door of the ICC, there is a scripture verse on the wall that reads as a reminder of our mission: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind and love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:30-31)
The families who come to the center are people who laugh easily, are full of life, and want to make American friends. Many have been forced to flee their home countries, often due to persecution, yet even under those circumstances they are welcoming, inviting, hospitable. They have a great sense of humor, even with language barriers. They are generous; they want to serve and share their food in their homes. They are eager to learn and be a part of community. They have so much to offer and to give. And we have much to offer and to give them in return. Let’s go love them. May we pray for God to open our hearts to the nations that are here in Milwaukee. ■
If you are interested in learning more about volunteer roles at the ICC, contact Jim Dressner ([email protected]). Consider joining in this ministry that builds relationships with people from all nations as we seek to follow Jesusʼ command to love our neighbors as ourselves. The nations are our neighbors, and they are right here in Milwaukee.
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