Arabic Outreach Center’s Oct. 11 fundraiser to honor faithful volunteer Sandy Wagener
Over the years, many people have stepped up to provide assistance to First Arabic Presbyterian Church (FAPC) and its Arabic Outreach Center (AOC). But one individual – Sandy Wagener – has literally “gone the extra mile” to help Arabic-speaking refugees and immigrants facing unimaginable challenges. Sandy’s experience with the Sudanese began many years ago, when she was a member of Cottage Grove Presbyterian Church. Her friendship with a young Sudanese boy at the church inspired her to help others who were new to this country, strengthening her connection to Sudanese immigrants and refugees.
In the spring of 2016, when the presbytery’s Sudanese Support Team was formed, Sandy attended the first meeting and joined the group. Since then, she has helped Pastor Ekram Kachu provide compassionate care to countless individuals and families in need.
Sandy was instrumental in starting the AOC’s sewing program for women; she taught two Confirmation classes for First Arabic youth, and assisted in recruiting tutors to help children of refugees and immigrants with their schoolwork. Her loving assistance helped a homeless young woman move beyond her troubled past to a stable and hope-filled future. When a young man injured his leg and could not climb three flights of stairs to his apartment, Sandy hosted him in her home until he recovered. And she definitely has “gone the extra mile” making numerous trips to Iowa City so people in need could receive specialized medical care.
Sandy’s philosophy of life was shaped by her time working in stewardship and mission for our synod. She says, “Stewardship is not just about money. It has more to do with who you are as a human being – how you use your skills and your time. You have to have an open heart to live out your life in Christ. I’m just living out the stewardship of my life.”
Sandy, a member of Ankeny Presbyterian Church, will be honored for her service to FAPC and the AOC on Saturday, October 11, at their second annual celebration/fundraiser, scheduled for 11:30 to 1:30 at Heartland Presbyterian Church in Clive. We encourage everyone to attend this event to help express our collective gratitude and heart-felt admiration for Sandy and her selfless acts of love and kindness. The event will include a soup luncheon ($20), and several other fun activities: an auction, a celebrity trivia contest, a Sudanese style show, and more! Registration is required for this event: sign up now. We hope to see you there!
