06/08/2026
"Papa Bear"
When Omar and his family stopped by Oasis recently looking for clothing for their children, one detail caught my attention. Omar was wearing a shirt that simply said, "Papa Bear."
The more I learned about his story, the more fitting that shirt seemed.
Omar, his wife, and their five children arrived in America in August 2024. Before that, they spent ten years living in a refugee camp in Ghana after fleeing Sudan. For a decade, their family lived in uncertainty, waiting and hoping for the opportunity to begin again.
After helping them find some clothing, I asked if I could take a picture of the family by our front door. Instead, Omar politely asked if we could take the photo with the Oasis sign in the background because, in his words, Oasis had been so kind to his family.
That simple request touched my heart.
Since arriving in America, Omar has worked hard from day one. He works at a shampoo factory and takes drywall jobs on the side whenever he can. Through hard work and sacrifice, the family saved enough money to purchase a minivan a few months ago. They are paying their rent, putting food on the table, and doing everything they can to build a future for their children.
As we talked, I was struck by Omar's gentle spirit and gratitude. Beneath the "Papa Bear" shirt is a father carrying a tremendous burden—working long hours, providing for five children, and trying to build a new life in a country that is still unfamiliar in many ways.
Stories like Omar's remind us that every family who walks through the doors of Oasis carries a story, a struggle, and a hope for a better future. We have the privilege of helping meet practical needs such as clothing, furniture, transportation, and friendship. But we also know that our greatest hope is not found in any of those things. Our greatest hope is found in Jesus.
One of the blessings of this ministry is that families from all over the world have the opportunity to encounter Christians who genuinely care for them and to see the love of Jesus lived out in tangible ways. We pray that as relationships are built and trust is established, many will come to know the peace, hope, and salvation that can only be found in Him.
Please continue to pray for Ali, his wife, and their children as they build a new life here in St. Louis. We are thankful to be a small part of their journey.
