Sheryl Hershey
English Teacher - Hayward, WI

My pastimes include writing, reading, art, playing guitar, and singing. I also enjoy outdoor recreation such as hiking and exploration.

My journey to Poland started the winter of 2021. I found out that my father had been involved in AIM in the early 2000’s. At the time, I was praying about my next steps for the coming year. I emailed AIM about any need for volunteers and found out there was a position for an English teacher. Through a lot of prayer and many conversations with family, I took the leap and decided to apply. The following summer, I flew to Poland.
The experience of living in a new culture with a new language has been humbling. In the past months as a teacher, I have often felt inadequate, but I also have felt very clearly God’s presence as I learn to know my students. Teaching has given me the beautiful opportunity for relationship, to know the hearts of young people in Poland. I often pray for wisdom and guidance in my words before classes. I have detected loneliness and confusion in their words. I desire that they can know and sense a greater love for them.
I would appreciate your prayers as I work alongside the staff at AIM and begin to know and become a friend to those around me.

Mark and Janae Kauffman
Refugee Relief Coordinators - Pulaski, TN

We enjoy being outdoors and doing things with our hands anything from cooking to leather work to hunting- especially if we can do it together.

We wanted to grow in faith and get more involved in ministry and we were interested in teaching English. When the war broke out our focus turned more to refugees and how we could minister to them. 
We are enjoying learning Polish, and learning to know the culture. The team here has been so welcoming and great to work with. One of the most rewarding and difficult things we are experiencing is communicating and connecting with people with whom we don’t share a language. 
Something that is stretching us is the unpredictability of this type of work, and not having the structure of a regular schedule. Working with refugees can also be emotionally taxing.