World Relief Seattle helps displaced people start a new life in the Pacific Northwest. These are some of their stories, and the stories of volunteers who have made a difference.

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Lacey Stovall had pitched in and helped friends and roommates move before. But she had never moved an entire family of 14 Somali refugees like she did on this one unforgettable summer night.

Five of the children were squished next to her in the pickup cab she drove behind a church van filled with eight more family members, plus their entire earthly possessions roped down on top.

A pastor found them a three-bedroom house. English lessons followed. Their determination and faith took hold.

Five years later each of the children has made a productive life of their own. Two of the boys have completed community college. One has become involved in a Goodwill training program, is married and today has two teenage sons.

Two sisters are perfect 4.0 students. The youngest just completed the eighth grade with a science award under his arm. Says Lacey,

“You can make an impact that builds trust and friendship with refugees simply by reaching out to help them in their hour of need. It’s a small window, but if you take advantage, the results can last a lifetime.”

Make that 14 lifetimes -- and counting.

World Relief, along with our team of volunteers and donors, helped over 600 refugees begin new lives last year in the Puget Sound.