Haven on Garland

08/15/2026

For 5 years now women's voices in Afghanistan have been silenced and their livelihood and educational dreams squashed. It was on August 15, 2021 when the Taliban took over the government in Kabul, signaling an end to a period of growth for the Afghan people (even if the US' presence had its complications and horrors there during the decades the US was directly involved).

From the moment we saw the horrors unfold of families trying to leave, people who worked alongside the US forces left behind, we reached out to people to ask "what can we do?"

That simple question propelled us on a journey, a journey that expanded our worldwide community, a journey that opened our home to new people, a journey that welcomed many young women from Afghanistan into a place of security, of peace, a haven for them to allow them to pursue their dreams.

We will continue to speak up for the rights of Afghans, we will continue to reach out to connect more even if the current administration in the US has shut its doors for future Afghans to flee the restrictions of the Taliban, our hearts will always be ready to welcome, and provide a haven, wherever we are.

HOME HOW TO HELP Welcome to Haven on Garland The mission of Haven on Garland is to provide temporary housing, at no or limited cost, for missionaries and their families, refugees and any individual or family who may be in need. Donate HOME HOW TO HELP Welcome to Haven on Garland The mission of Haven...

07/25/2026

07/10/2026

You may have heard of an ROUS but have you ever seen a VOUS? Vegetable of Unusual Size? This is a zucchini from our Haven on Garland garden that was hiding behind leaves. This one zucchini will be enough for everyone one night when we make chicken teriyaki.

06/27/2026

Halal chicken sandwich with homemade pimento cheese, Sriracha mayo and Dave’s Famous pickles.

06/25/2026

Getting our cookie and pizza baking skills on here.

06/19/2026

We took our Afghan students on a little summer vacation trip to do something they’ve been asking about for years… ride the roller coasters! Busch Gardens Williamsburg

06/17/2026

dinners at Haven on Garland, like all of our meals, are full of interesting conversations and observations. Take this salsa bottle for example. Just your generic Chi Chis mild salsa reminder of the restaurant when Sarah and I were children. But for an they would see the bottle and translate it “What what’s”. Chi = English translation of the Afghan word for “what”. چه

06/11/2026

When there are over 20 Japanese chicken teriyaki hibachi restaurants in Lynchburg but none are halal… you find the best ingredients to make it at home. Let’s just say, almost everyone went back for seconds.

06/06/2026

Summer breaks after another successful academic year call for nights filled with ice cream. Just one of many ways we support and care for the Afghan students we support and care for. Plug for one of the best locally owned ice cream businesses in Lynchburg - Mister Goodie’s.

06/03/2026

It’s summertime here at Haven on Garland which means all of our students can breathe again and not be fully consumed with studies. We are having more family meals together and enjoying their cooking more often as well as their coffee creations for us to try. In addition we are hosting students this summer who transferred to new schools last year. So the Haven house is full! Please consider joining our growing support network in making a difference for our students as we provide them a loving, safe, inspiring home as they continue their educational journey!