From Pain to Purpose: How One Refugee Mom Found Healing at Gosheni Farm

When she first arrived in Louisville in 2019, just before the pandemic, she had nearly given up hope. A refugee mother with a severely injured left arm, she had endured multiple surgeries and painful physical therapy sessions, none of which seemed to help. The pain was unbearable, language barriers made communication difficult, and transportation challenges often kept her isolated. Though she had been referred for physical therapy, she eventually stopped going. The pain, the confusion, and the loneliness were simply too much.

But God had a different plan.

Through the agency that welcomed her to the U.S., she was connected to Gate of Hope Ministries. At the time, she couldn’t do much with her injured arm, but we invited her to join our Gosheni Farm team anyway. We told her: “Come as you are. Use the hand that works. Just be with people.”

At first, she could only pull weeds with her good hand. But being outside, surrounded by others, and participating in something meaningful began to shift something in her. Slowly, without any new medical intervention, her injured arm started to move again. A little at first, then more. Before long, she was using both hands. Today, she is one of the most dedicated and productive farmers at Gosheni.

What no therapy center could fully provide, she found in the healing rhythms of the land, in the warmth of a community that welcomed her, and in the quiet restoration that comes when people are seen, loved, and given purpose.

Her story is a beautiful reminder of what can happen when we create spaces of belonging and service. At Gate of Hope, we believe healing doesn’t always come in clinical settings; sometimes, it grows out of the soil, alongside tomatoes and mustard greens, watered by faith, community, and God’s grace.