03/02/2026
"Last night, my family and I went to 8CC to help with their ELL classes. We served as greeters, welcoming individuals and families as they arrived for classes, along with free childcare. In all, there were 47 people, students and children, who came through the doors. The smiles when we opened the door and said hello melted my heart. People were genuinely happy to be there, eager to learn, grateful for the welcome. Many hadn’t missed a class all year, showing a quiet dedication and commitment to keep learning.
What made the evening especially meaningful for me was bringing along a new friend. I met her recently after she moved here from Cuba. She came to our church seeking God, and because she speaks very little English, we communicate mostly through Google Translate. When I told her my family and I were going to help greet and asked if she’d like to “come with me,” she said yes.
On the way home, again through Google Translate, she shared how kind everyone was, how loved she felt, and how much she wants to go back."
Pastor Lana
Ankeny First United Methodist Church
