Oasis InternationalOasis International Dear friends of Oasis International, Let me introduce you to Qahtan and Suaad. We have known them for four years.

Qahtan is one of the most distinguished Iraqi gentlemen I know. He was a corporate pilot flying from the Middle East to the U.S. He is a kind man, always with a smile on his face. He tries to teach me Arabic every week as I try to learn a little bit of the language from each of the 29 countries that Oasis serves. Qahtan has been a great help to us at Oasis – working on the farm, bringing refugees in need to Oasis and even introducing us to the leaders in the mosque. Like many we help at Oasis, Qahtan and his family experienced a lot of trauma

during the war. While in Baghdad both of his sons were kidnapped at different times, and he had to pay a ransom for each one. His sons were returned but soon after insurgents came and kidnapped him. His wife, Suaad, was frantic to pay his ransom as well as she had lost 17 family members to the war. After the ransom was paid for Qahtan’s release, they fled Iraq, leaving everything behind.

We Do This For Them

America has the most resettled refugees in the world. St. Louis has more diversity of na-tions represented than almost any other city in the United States. This year has brought many new refugees to Oasis International – with stories and experiences just like Qahtan and Suaad.

The primary ministry of Oasis is to give refugees furniture for their first apartments and clothing for their family. As many fled their country with nothing, their needs are basic but significantly great. Next, we seek to help them to make St. Louis their “home”:

We teach English to 40 students twice per week, provided by 22 teachers and 8 childcare workers.

We provide driver’s training, thanks to one faithful man, Ben Settle. We give baby showers for all pregnant refugee moms; Our intern, Katie Gresham, oversees the refugee home visitation ministry; Our intern Mustafa, has created the new Oasis Internet Café to help refugee families call home

via Skype and Yahoo Messenger and complete on-line job applications. Most importantly, we are changing the statistic in St. Louis that says “less than10% of these refugees will ever have an American friend, much less one from a Christian church.”

Our mission is to serve and assist

refugees who have relocated to

St. Louis.

For Your Kingdom’s Cause

The lyrics to one of my favorite songs define the mission of

Oasis International:

Show me how to love like You have loved me

Break my heart for what breaks Yours

Everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause

We have positioned ourselves in South St. Louis

City for one reason: that every person we touch would be able to know the love of Jesus. That is God’s Kingdom cause!

Building Projects Completed Thanks to individual and church donations, we have been able to complete a number of significant

construction projects to enable us to work more efficiently and welcome our refugees and their

friends to a beautiful facility. We invite you to visit to see all that has been accomplished this year!

In answer to our prayers, the following projects were completed in 2012:

Children’s classrooms – new flooring, lighting and paint;

Large meeting area – new furnace and air conditioning;

Welcome area – refinished hardwood floor and installed carpeting;

Front of building – Wood replaced and repainted; installed reflective thermal window coverings;

Offices – closing in the offices (for safety and security);

Kitchen – working with architects on renovations.

Would You Be A Part Of The Miracle?

We ask that you prayerfully consider giving to Oasis International

to help us build a strong community of loving grateful refugees

willing to give their lives for their new country. The goals and

amounts listed below are what Oasis International needs to

successfully continue to help refugees in the St. Louis area:

Giving Encouragement – Emotional and Spiritual Support We hear many heart breaking stories every day and want to

be there for the families that come from war. Biblical

teaching and counseling in everyday situations bring growth,

stability and peace to lives ravaged by war and

post-traumatic stress disorder. A loving, American family

connecting with a refugee

family is one of the greatest things that can happen.

We have a new Refugee Visitation packet to help you

go on a visit to a refugee family. You will be blessed to

meet these families and probably enjoy some coffee,

tea or even ethnic foods – and help bring healing as

you do!

(Annual need: $250,000

for mortgage, utilities,

operational costs, staff

expenses, office

management)

Providing Jobs for Refugees at Oasis After learning English, finding jobs is the number one

need of the refugees. Oasis truck drivers, English class

helpers, childcare workers, office assistants, janitors,

furniture repair and helping in the clothing store are just

some of the opportunities we can provide to the

refugees. (Annual need: $40,000 – to create 5 part-time jobs)

Completing Building Projects We desire to make Oasis an inviting Community

Center where refugees come for classes, social

interaction and daily needs. To do so, we must

complete renovation to our floors, kitchen and

bathrooms.

(2013 need: $100,000 – to complete construction

projects)

You Can Make A Difference A local St. Louis ministry asks donors to give “a dollar a day”. Some give more, some less – but the load is equally shared and enjoyed. Would you consider joining the work of Oasis International at that level? $1.00 per day to bring a new language, furniture, clothing, job skills, love, encouragement, and most importantly hope to a refugee family. When Jesus fed the 5,000, He cared about the

people because they were hungry and He asked the disciples to become a part of the mira-cle. He said, “What do you have?” They gave what they had, Jesus blessed it, and He gave it back to them to distribute to the people. We believe that when your gift is given to Oa-sis, Jesus will bless it, and the people will have what they need. You will definitely be a part of the miracle of helping the broken and needy. We are excited about 2013. We are looking forward to meeting new friends from around the world, giving them what they need and making new friends. Their hearts and cultures will expand our lives as well. They will be-come productive citizens and will grow in our hearts at the same time. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and considering your gift to us. May God richly bless you and your family!

Sincerely,

Mark & Joani

Rev. Mark & Joani Akers Founders & Directors

P.S. These pictures are of our new friends who have come to Oasis from Iraq, Afghanistan, Burma, Bhutan, Nepal, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Congo and Colombia for English classes and to receive what they need to help them get started in the U.S. We

Mark & Joani Akers Founders/Directors 5035 Gravois Ave. St. Louis, MO 63116 Office: 314-353-3800 Fax: 314-353-3808

Email: oasisinternational@sbcglobal.net Web: www.oasisinternational.info