Willy called me recently, obviously concerned about a pressing problem. I thought to myself “After the challenges they faced, what now?”. They’d arrived in Salt Lake 6 weeks ago to find the airlines lost one of the six bags of luggage (16% of everything they brought to America), they had struggles getting food assistance working properly, after a month here, they still had no shoes and were walking in sandals and socks in the snow with only light weight jackets. “What could it be now?”, I wondered. “They’ve had their share of struggles in their new country, and don’t deserve more.”
Sandals In The Snow
Have you ever gone to a new school wearing sandals and socks in the snow? Or sent your kids to school in flip flops when it’s below freezing outside? This photo shows the Kasongo family footwear selection in the entry closet. There was nothing more than the sandals and an empty suitcase. Continue reading “Sandals In The Snow”
Can You Use a Can Opener?
A statement like “They need help with 
very basic things, like how to use a can opener” is instructive on the challenges of learning things that are very basic in America, but in actuality are very different from how much of the world lives. Continue reading “Can You Use a Can Opener?”
Formal Introduction Meeting
A train ride, bus ride, and then 5 minute 
walk this evening took me to the Kasongo family’s new home. Walking through the snow, there was a clue something wasn’t quite “typical” – the trash can on the street was overflowing, and the only one out at the curb on the street. I arrived there about 10 minutes early for the formal introduction meeting. A crisp, chilly evening, I appreciated being let inside right away. I was welcomed into their home and invited to sit down, but first asked to step into the bathroom. Another clue that they were coming from a different part of the world was a bathroom tub that appeared to be used for washing clothes and a bathroom window open on a 10 F day. Unlike many refugee families, which are resettled into apartment complexes where many refugee families live, the Kasongo’s are renting a 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath home on a quiet cul-d-sac. It’s in a what many would consider a less desirable part of town with a reputation of being a little rough at times. However, one only has to imagine that the family has seen horrible conditions and violence being run out of their homes in what I learned was eastern Congo, which may make this neighborhood seem more like a very pleasant spot. Continue reading “Formal Introduction Meeting”
They Are Here!
As we pulled out of the driveway last night, I asked Marinda if we were crazy for loading our four sleeping kids into the minivan at 11:30 pm to drive to the airport and greet people who we knew very little about: their last name, that they’d had a long day of flights from the other side of the world, and maybe they had some kids. By the time we returned at nearly 2:00 am, the answer was clear – we hadn’t been crazy.
