*For privacy and security reasons, I have changed the name in this story.

At Gate of Hope, we often meet women who are facing overwhelming challenges, women who simply need a hand to steady themselves as they step into a new chapter of life. Zawadi is one of those women.

When Zawadi first came to my office, she was exhausted and overwhelmed, unsure of where to turn or how to move forward. She had no safe place to call home and didn’t know where to seek help. But through other women in the resettled refugee community, she had heard about Gate of Hope and decided to reach out. 

She wasn’t asking for a handout. She was asking for a chance. A chance to regain her stability, to provide for her children, and to create a future where they could thrive.

Thanks to the generosity of our Gate of Hope supporters, we were able to step in and provide exactly what she needed. We secured an affordable apartment for Zawadi and covered her first three months of rent, giving her the breathing room to focus on her next steps.

But stability is about more than just a roof over one’s head, it’s about having the essentials to start fresh. With the help of our donors, we fully furnished her new home and stocked it with clothing, food, and household supplies. She and her children could settle in with dignity, without the immediate stress of wondering where their next meal would come from or how they would sleep at night.

With her immediate needs met, Zawadi was able to shift her focus toward the future. Instead of scrambling for survival, she could put her energy into adjusting to her new life, exploring opportunities to support her family, and creating a plan to sustain them long-term.

None of this would have been possible without the incredible generosity of those who give to Gate of Hope. To every donor who helped secure Zawadi’s home and provide for her family’s needs, thank you. Your support has given her more than just shelter; it has given her a chance to start again with confidence and hope.

As we continue our work, we remain committed to walking alongside women like Zawadi, offering them the support and resources they need to build a new life. If you want to be part of this mission, we invite you to join us in making a difference, one woman at a time.

Over a decade ago, Gate of Hope launched a clothes closet with a simple but powerful mission: to provide clothing and support to refugees and others in need in our community. For over ten years, this initiative has helped families facing difficult times, ensuring children have warm clothes and adults have appropriate attire for work and daily life.

As we step into the new year, we are thrilled to announce a fresh chapter for the clothes closet. Recently, we relocated to Lees Lane Baptist Church, a space that allows us to expand our reach and serve more families regularly. This move marks an exciting opportunity to strengthen our impact and continue meeting the needs of our community with love and care.

This transition would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our incredible team and community partners. A heartfelt thank you to our board member Jeff, who rallied friends to lend a helping hand during the move. We are also deeply grateful to Pastor Smith for generously providing us with our new space, and his friend who brought a truck to transport our clothes racks. I am also thankful to our other volunteers who blessed us with their time, energy, and smiles.

With this new location, we are more determined than ever to support those in need. To everyone who has supported Gate of Hope’s clothes closet over the years—whether through donations like Lifebridge, volunteering, or spreading the word—we thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we continue to be a source of hope and comfort for families in our community.

Stay tuned for updates as we settle into our new home and roll out exciting plans for the year ahead!

What a joyous day it was! This year’s Christmas gift event was an incredible success, and my heart is overflowing with gratitude as I reflect on everything that came together to make it happen.

First, I want to thank our amazing volunteers. Whether you’ve been with us for many years or joined us for the first time this year, your dedication and energy made a world of difference. Each of you played a vital role in creating an experience that brought smiles to the faces of 200 children in our community.

This event is always more than just a day of giving gifts. It’s a powerful reminder of God’s love and provision. For the children, it’s a lesson about the care and kindness that God shows to us all. Each act of service and generosity is a testament to the goodness of God, who works through His people to meet the needs of others.

I want to extend a special thank you to Southeast (SE) Christian Church Prospect Campus for their unwavering support. Their resources, volunteers, and friendship are the backbone of this event year after year. I am also deeply grateful to Evangelical Church Winning All 2 (ECWA2) for graciously hosting us. Your hospitality allowed us to come together as a community in fellowship and celebration.

To the Gate of Hope board members, your tireless efforts behind the scenes made everything run smoothly. Your passion for serving the refugee community here in Louisville is truly inspiring, and I’m so grateful to work alongside you.

As I look back on this year’s event, I feel profoundly blessed to be part of such a caring and loving community. Together, we witnessed God’s love in action—through the smiles of the children, the kindness of our volunteers, and the outpouring of support from so many people. This annual event serves as a beautiful reminder of God’s love and kindness. It’s a time to come together, to give, to reflect, and to celebrate the incredible ways God provides for us all.

Thank you to everyone who made this day so special. We look forward to continuing this tradition of joy, love, and giving in the years to come.

Let me start by telling you a little about myself. I was born and raised in a pastor’s family, where faith and community were at the center of our lives. At the age of 11, during one of our family devotions, I came to understand the profound truth of Romans 3:23 and Romans 6:23. It was then that I accepted Christ as my Savior and was baptized on Christmas Day—a moment that shaped the foundation of my life.

I grew up striving to honor my parents through my studies and community involvement. I got married, started a family, and had dreams for a beautiful future. But in 1994, my life took a turn that would ultimately define my purpose. In the wake of unimaginable loss and devastation during the Rwandan genocide, my family and I gathered together and asked ourselves a deeply profound question: Why did God let us live?

In that moment, we felt called to dedicate our lives to serving God and His people wherever He led us. My husband and I moved to Nairobi, Kenya, where we studied and worked among Rwandan refugees. Later, we relocated to the United States for further education, settling in Louisville, KY, in 2003. What started as small acts of interpretation and transportation support for refugees quickly blossomed into a full-time calling. Over the last 21 years, I have come to understand the depth of God’s purpose for my life.

This blog is a space where I’ll share stories from my journey, insights into the lives of refugees, and the ways we can all be part of building a compassionate and supportive community together. I invite you to join me—not just as a reader, but as a partner in this work of love and hope. Together, we can make a difference.

Thank you for being here. I look forward to walking this path with you!

With love,
Mama Pauline