Embracing with Grace

“God just knows how to do things exactly right!,” states Jani Whaley, Executive Director of KIN, describing how a new KIN Embrace group of young adults’ resources, experiences, and personalities came to perfectly match the particular needs of an international family newly integrating into Knoxville. 

When McKenzie from Grace Baptist Church contacted KIN about her life group's interest in KIN’s Embrace program, she shared, “We were looking for a way we could serve as a group, since each of us is so very busy with our lives, and this was the perfect fit. Many hands make the work light, and everyone in our group had giftings and talents they could bring to the table.” KIN’s Embrace program provides an opportunity for a church small group, Sunday School class, or assembly of close friends to be trained, equipped, and supported to assist an international family as they integrate into Knoxville. 

Ahmed and Wardha* arrived in Knoxville from Syria in January 2024 with their 2 children, a 7-year-old son with severe health issues and a 6-year-old daughter. Wardha spoke very little English; Ahmed was a civil engineer/project coordinator in his home city and hoped for employment in his field, as his English was further along. But upon their arrival, their basic integration needs overwhelmed them, including regular trips to Nashville for medical attention for their son. 

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Enter their Embrace group. Under McKenzie’s leadership, 8 couples of young adults, all with children under four years old, diligently completed the application process, the 90-minute orientation, and eagerly stretched out their hands to meet the Syrian family. During the introductions, it was revealed that one of the men in the group had engineering connections and could possibly help Ahmed find employment. 
“I really want to work and need to find a job promptly,” urged Ahmed* in his broken English. “I also want to learn to speak like an American!” So the group of busy, young fathers made plans to take turns meeting with Ahmed a couple of times a week to work on his pronunciation. They also quickly developed a lead on a potential employment opportunity.
The group of young women also organized a schedule for who would visit Wardha and on which days. “Giving a couple of hours a week is not a huge time constraint, and being able to take my children to play with her kids is a blessing for me!,” explained one Embrace group mother. “I thought I was going to help her with English but we ended up sharing the struggles of motherhood and just chatting. I didn’t expect to build a relationship with her so quickly and easily. I was used to giving money to mission projects, but this is a real-life mission trip!” 
Now, when the group gets together each week for their meetings, their newly adopted family is often discussed and prayed over. “They have grown to mean a great deal to each and every one of us and are an extended part of our group,” stated one of the Embrace participants.
One Embrace couple had endured a challenging season with their child hospitalized at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. When they learned that Ahmed and Wardha’s son was facing a very difficult operation in the near future at the same facility, they commented, “For our family to have gone through such a difficult time to now be able to help this family navigate through something similar is a blessing to us. It was difficult for us to experience; I can’t imagine going through it in a country where you’re unfamiliar with so many things!”
The Grace Baptist Embrace group is now in the third month of relationship with their Syrian family. McKenzie says, “We see God’s hand in this connection that KIN made between our life group and this precious family. We’re thankful that KIN prays over the participants and the families before pairing them, to identify just the right connections. Our group appreciates the training and continued support of the KIN office and are thankful for this opportunity to serve in global missions at a local level.”
* Names changed to protect privacy.