Extending a helping hand and showing love to neighbors uplifts every heart in a world that sometimes seems so dark and divisive. While the negative headlines dominate media coverage, heroic people doing inspiring acts of service go largely unnoticed.
Take, for instance, Lisa and Paul Phillips, a couple from Indiana who are part of the Convention of States movement. For three years, they have contributed to their community by teaching immigrants and refugees English, American culture, and constitutional literacy while spreading Christian values.
After meeting a young mom at a homeschool co-op who couldn’t speak English, Lisa became committed to helping bridge the gap through cultural divides. In a matter of time, the Phillips began hosting a small English class to help those looking for guidance. As the weekly class developed, more and more community members with diverse roots showed up determined to assimilate into American culture.
Using a conversational approach and real-life scenarios, they witnessed the eagerness of immigrants to learn and their natural ability to pick up the language through side-by-side reading and discussions. By role-playing everyday situations like ordering food at a restaurant or calling the doctor’s office, English students naturally improved their language skills while building meaningful relationships.
“I just think how hard it would be to move to another country and not have any family or have people that you could just call and trust. Like I need a doctor where do I go,” Lisa commented. “And so we've kind of been the mom and dad of them in a way. Just kind of roped them into our family like our other kids and kind of help take care of them in those ways of just referring them and showing them around town.”
It’s not just English that goes into the weekly classes. Paul serves COS as a Legislative Associate on the national staff. To equip immigrants with the proper knowledge to pass the U.S. citizenship test, Paul incorporates America’s heritage into their weekly lessons – including the significance of Article V. Convention of States has been working to translate documents into Spanish, and Paul has sought proofreading and grammar edits from Spanish natives who attend the class, which has greatly assisted the COS organization's effort to bolster our Spanish materials.
"We just weren't sure if the translations were right... We asked the native speakers to read through it and help us correct any grammar and tell us tell us if it made sense," Paul explained. "We've given them the Declaration of Independence and Constitution in Spanish so they can read it and understand it. And we spend some time going over the citizenship exam."
"And now they know all about Convention of States!" Lisa added.
Self-governance is fundamental to a successful life, and some immigrants understand this reality firsthand having fled socialist nations. The young mom (and now great friend) Lisa met at the homeschool co-op fled the crushing consequences of socialism in Venezuela. She recalled the wonderful shopping and accessible driving in Venezuela – until one day it wasn’t. Gasoline prices spiked, inflation rose and socialism took hold. Lisa’s friend has noted parallel signs here in America.
“The blessing that we get out of it is not only these wonderful people, but she has given my family the best history lesson on socialism you will ever hear. Because they're very open about their story in Venezuela of what happened,” Lisa said.
Over time, the group has expanded to include new members, creating a rich classroom of cultural exchange.
“I think it's important when we have immigrants to this country, that we make the connection with them, because they are primed for understanding socialism and too much government and how that turns bad very fast,” Paul commented.
Through serving as a bridge between cultures, the Phillips have fostered community, understanding, and unity right in their own town. The Phillips are remarkable examples of servant leaders, connecting compassionately with individuals from different countries to offer a sense of belonging for all no matter our background or struggles.
