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.”
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?”
Facebook Friends!
Tonight I was surprised by a friend request 
on Facebook. Mama Kasongo invited me to connect. I discovered that she and Papa Kasongo are both on Facebook; her as of Saturday and him as of last week. I know I shouldn’t be surprised, they have smartphones, which are essentially handheld computers – a valuable resource in America. Some might be concerned that government dollars are helping pay for smartphones; yet when I think about all that can be done – maps, job searches, emails, shopping, etc. on the internet, a smartphone is a great way to go. If I were forced to land in a new country and choose between getting a smartphone or a laptop first, I’d probably choose the phone. Continue reading “Facebook Friends!”