As part of her ministry to welcome internationals to the United States, Fran Stevenson works mostly among Afghan women and children.
Many of these women have experienced traumatic life events. They’ve seen their homeland slowly destroyed, watched family members and friends killed or kidnapped, and some have been sexually assaulted or discriminated against because they are female. They’ve seen war, crowded and chaotic refugee camps, and finally the United States – a safer, yet unfamiliar environment.
Along with helping with immigration paperwork, the U.S. citizenship process, and English classes, sharing the gospel is a vital part of Stevenson’s ministry. It’s a message of equality and freedom many Afghan women have never heard. And it’s a message many of them would not hear without field personnel living and serving in Fremont.
"The ministry here is like a small pebble in a pond, but those little ripples end up a huge wave," Fran Stevenson said. "Families here talk to families back in Afghanistan. They are hearing all of the amazing things the Christians are doing here. We’re not just saving souls here; it’s global."