Jeffrey Simons
Jeffrey was raised on the Southern California coast. After receiving a Master’s Degree in Intercultural Studies from Biola University, he and his family served in community development in Southern Mexico.
Jeffrey and his wife Syl returned to the United States in 2019, and shortly found their way to make Tucson home. Jeffrey joined TRM in 2022 as the Program Director for a new start-up program “Arrive and Thrive”. The program has flourished and grown under Jeffrey’s leadership.
Jeffrey and Syl are proud parents of 4 adult children. In his free time, Jeffrey enjoys everything about coffee, bicycling, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Aaron Edmunds
Aaron was born and raised in Tucson Arizona, a true desert rat. In 2012 Aaron and his family accepted the call to be full-time missionaries. They served in Mombasa Kenya and Vienna Austria, working with refugees and unreached people groups, and led community centers similar to the work happening at TRM today. In 2025, God called their family back home to Tucson. Aaron joined TRM in February 2026 as Director of Operations, where he hopes to use his years of missionary experience to strengthen and expand the ministry’s impact.
Aaron is married and the proud father of three children (and one energetic dog). In his free time, he enjoys drinking too much coffee, riding his bike, and spending time outdoors with family and friends.
Marjie Brecht
Marjie attended college in Kutztown, PA. She obtained her BA in Special Education. Marjie, her husband and their four children moved to Arizona in 2001. The kids are now grown and she loves spending time with them as well as her two grandchildren. Marjie and her husband attended info sessions where Cherie Gray would present valuable info about international cultures as well as local opportunities to connect with refugees. Marjie felt so encouraged by hearing Cherie speak that she wanted to know more and she began volunteering in many ways. She values the calling within the hearts of God’s people to get involved. And she loves mentoring the church as they build relationships with refugees.
Jesus Sandoval
Jesus was born and raised in Tucson, AZ. He graduated from Amphitheater High School where he enjoyed being a part of student leadership. While serving as president of 2 clubs, he was introduced to the refugee community and was eager to help raise awareness for their well-being. Jesus has two certificates in Ministry Leadership through Ministry Resources Institute. He has worked alongside several local churches, agencies, and nonprofits to raise awareness for refugees. He has also partnered and volunteered with Tucson Refugee Ministry since 2011.
Rhonda Martin
Rhonda was born in Illinois but has lived in Tucson for 22 years. She graduated from James E. Rogers College of Law at the U of A in 2017. Rhonda has been volunteering for a variety of Tucson ministries for the past two decades, and has been involved with Tucson Refugee Ministries for five years, serving in a variety of ways including being a craft teacher, craft coordinator, and counselor for Kids Kamp for the past 5 years.
Affiliates
Arrive and Thrive
Dina Kramer
Dina is passionate about helping refugees build hope and a future through meaningful employment. She leads and coordinates job readiness and placement programs for refugees—both individuals and families—supporting their integration into the workforce and economic stability in Tucson. She is deeply committed to seeing people thrive in places where they once felt forgotten.
Dina holds a Master’s degree in Divinity, a Bachelor’s degree of Education in Population and Health, and a certification in Behavioral Health. She brings experience in teaching, interpretation, and community engagement.
Yvette Munezero
Nabila Nazir