Echo Spring 2021 - 24

n the Bible, alpha and omega means " the
beginning and the end. " For Daniel Gingrich
('78), that is certainly true of his relationship
with people from all over the world. He is
there at the beginning of their journey soon after
they arrive in the United States. Through the
Alpha & Omega Community Center (AOCC) in
Lancaster City, he's there throughout that journey
and toward the end, when these families are
settled, more at home and looking forward to a
new life.
As an English as a Second Language (ESL)
teacher for Alpha & Omega, Daniel's
experiences are global-but
right here at home. " I have
worked with students and
families from Iraq, Nepal,
Bhutan, Ethiopia, Eritrea,
Sudan, Democratic Republic
of Congo, Rwanda and Cuba, "
he said.
Most of these families start
their journeys in refugee camps
before they arrive in faraway
countries like the U.S.
This process is usually a collaboration between
United Nations agencies and local resettlement
agencies like Church World Service (CWS) and
Bethany Christian Services. Once in a welcoming
city like Lancaster, the refugees are supported by
the resettlement agency for about nine months.
After that, the hope is that the families will have
the essential tools and skills to meet their needs.
However, Gingrich noted, " the actual process
of adjusting to a new culture and assimilating
can take years. " That's why organizations such
as Alpha & Omega offer additional support
and tailor-made programs to help. Gingrich is
instrumental in one of these programs called
Computers for Refugees, which collects used,
donated computers and upgrades both speed
and operating systems before distributing to
families.
" As an ESL teacher, I saw the importance of
technology for language learning, " Gingrich said.
" I always remember the words of one
of my LBC professors, John Winterstein. He
told us that each of us is called to be a fulltime
Christian no matter our occupation. "
- Daniel Gingrich ('78)
Photo by Julia Scarborough ('17)
24 ECHO
Echo Spring 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Echo Spring 2021
