Working with refugees changed me for the better

Anne-Marie Verkuijlen’s negative view of refugees changed when she began working with them, hearing their stories, and understanding God’s heart for those seeking safety.

After leaving an abusive relationship, I found myself alone after many years. I was feeling broken and scared, but I was faced with the reality of needing to secure a job. Rebuilding my life felt like an impossible task. After spending years in unpaid volunteer work, helping people in need, I had no income, and during the lockdowns, the options for finding a job were very limited. The pressure to support myself felt overwhelming as rejection emails piled up, labelling me either overqualified or underqualified. Every attempt to rebuild seemed to lead to yet another closed door.