Mama Donna’s story

There is always room for one more at Donna’s Table

Welcoming people from many lands into her home is what Donna loves best. She has had 4 international students live with her and hundreds have passed through her doors. Game nights, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, her home is always open to those who are far away from theirs.

Her heart for missions and the startling reality that 80% of international students are never invited into an Americans home ignited a passion in her.

“not on my watch”!

Young people away from home find a safe place in hers.  She is affectionately called Mama Donna by students and scholars from around the globe.

there are  “classic game nights” in her home once a month that last into the wee hours of the night.  laughter is the universal language and it is always spoken here.

Her son has been raised to love people from everywhere. These are his “brothers”.  He also has a “brother” in a closed country.  After living with Donna and Caleb for a year Nemo came to love Jesus, and now is sharing HIS love with others in his home land. There are many stories like this, Students finding the love of Jesus while in America and going home to share it.

Because she never wants to turn anyone away she added a sunroom to the back of her home so that she could accommodate more people.

It is not uncommon to hear four or more languages being spoken in her home.   Everyone has fun teaching a few words in their language to the Americans who are joining in on the fun.

Many people from countries that are at war with one another will find friendship with one another in her living room.

BUT THAT’S NOT ALL…..

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She also heads up the missions team at Westgate Chapel.

In the past 5 years a tradition that started in the home of the Churches missions interns with under 20 students and 3 American families  has grown into a HUGE event serving over 150 internationals representing 27 different countries and 160+ American volunteers.

Donna will be the first to admit that there is no way any of this could happen without the help of many (and LOTS AND LOTS of prayer!).  American families hosted tables, 100s of pies and sweet potato casseroles were donated by church members, the college ministry helped set up, high schoolers served, the children made cards, people manned a prayer room,  the mens ministry  did all the cooking! ….and much, much more!

There were also lots of fun activities….

photo booths

crafts

anything to help foster relationships and build friendships with one another.

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BUT THAT’S NOT ALL

Donna makes it a point to go to as many events that her international “children” are involved in…. Indian festivals, Chinese culture days, ISA (international student association) events. She delights in entering into their worlds so that she can better understand and love them.

She also makes sure that anyone has a ride to events like Bethlehem Experience.

https://westgatechapel.org/pages/ministries/bex/

is not uncommon for her to borrow a van so that she can take an entire group on a  road trip.

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BUT THAT’S NOT ALL

The most amazing thing about Donna is that she is a single mom with a demanding job!

She is a well-respected counselor seeing individuals and families as well as servicing group homes that house some of the hardest to reach kids in our county.

Donna with her son Caleb 

We do not have to be full time missionaries to live out the great commission. We just need to be willing to love those who are different from us.  Donna will be the first to tell you that she is not “super woman”! She says that the only thing special about her is that she is a willing vessel in the hands of an amazing God.

Are you willing?

Who is God calling you to love?

There are MANY opportunities! If God is opening your heart to love international students please visit this web site to learn more.

http://www.utoledo.edu/cisp/international/IEP/GO_UT/Conversation_Partner/cp.html