Thursday, June 19, 2014

Discovery Green

On Saturday June 14th, the mother and her daughters went on an outing with her St Luke's friends to discovery green, a park in downtown Houston. The mother asked if a woman also from Afghanistan, that she met at the neighborhood park could join us.  The friend moved to Houston a month ago and was excited for an opportunity to see downtown. It's such a blessing that the family is already finding a community of friends in their neighborhood.
As we were driving, a stretch limousine passed us, everyone in the car got really excited - the mother explained they'd only seen limos before in the movies! 
After we made a spot for ourselves and met up with other friends, the family got to enjoy donuts with everyone. They said they had ice cream for the first time the day before.... They are enjoying Houston's sweets! We made our way to the pond and the ladies and girls were surprised to see real fish swimming below. The youngest daughter had been eyeing the splash pad since we arrived - as she got into the water there was no longer any language barrier. The sisters were laughing, running, and jumping in the water - trying to convince our toddlers to join them.  The children played in the water together while the moms joyfully watched, even jumping in to take pictures. The ladies said they enjoyed downtown Houston very much and the girls laughter the entire car ride home made it clear they had fun in this new city.  Hopefully this is a good start to making Houston feel like home.

- Laura Tien

Saturday, June 14, 2014

The Park

We decided to go to the park on Saturday. The girls needed something fun to do, and during my brief visit on Thursday they were so excited to learn that I have a 7-year-old daughter. They were eager to meet some girls their own age, so we promised to meet up on Saturday and go do something fun. Our plan had been to show our new friends some interesting parts of Houston with a trip to Discovery Green. A unique playground, fun splash pad to cool off, and plenty of room to run and play right in the middle of the city. Carolyn and I talked through all the details: she would bring her boys and I would bring Ela. Perfect, enough kids for some good fun but not so many that it’s overwhelming. This was the perfect outing, we thought. We packed a simple but fun picnic: cold cantaloupe cut in bite sizes, watermelon, juice boxes, and plenty of water in a cooler full of ice.

Then, a couple of hours before our agreed-upon time, Carolyn called me, “There’s some confusion about the girls’ ages and whether or not they need to use a car seat.” Being a stickler for car safety, it was easy to feel disappointment and an overwhelming sense of urgency to figure out the situation. I worried, “What are we going to do? How are we supposed to take them anywhere at all?” After going around in these circles for a couple of minutes, Carolyn reminded me (or maybe I reminded her… or did we remind each-other?) that they only just arrived here a few days ago. We will have plenty of time to figure the situation out. We will have even more time to take fun trips to Discovery Green… and to Hermann Park, to Memorial Park, and to the beach. It can all happen, we just need to be patient and take it a day at a time. This is the very frustration the mom had shared with me on Thursday, “I feel like I have so many things I have to do but I have to wait. I can’t do it all right at this moment even though I want to.”

In the end we decided to walk to the little park that’s just down the street from their apartment. We shared our picnic; the kids ran, slid, and played house. The mom, Carolyn, and I got a chance to talk and get to know each other a little more. We asked her, “Did you have parks like this where you’re from?” The answer, “Yes, we have very nice parks.” Of course they do! I don’t’ know what we expected to hear, but it was a reminder: we are all learning.

By the end all the kids were hot, tired, and hungry. And really, no matter where you’re from, aren’t those the universal signs of a successful outing? 

-Erica Stark

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Grocery Shopping

Two of us girls from the Three Strands class met up with the family on Saturday morning to have a girls shopping trip.  The point of the shopping trip was to show them how to go shopping in America. 

We met at the apartment around 9:30 AM and discussed a few items they needed.  The girls were so excited for visitors that they opened the door jumping and screaming, telling us to come in.  They showed us some decorations they brought from home, and it made the apartment feel even more “homey”, including a picture of the grandparents.  They offered us water and told us to sit - sit and relax, so we enjoyed a cup of cold water together while we discussed the items we needed to find at the store.  They needed aluminum foil to be able to cover leftovers in the refrigerator, vacuum bags, instant coffee, and fruits and vegetables.  She said they had plenty of meat, pasta/rice and beans from what was already provided upon their arrival.    

We decided to go to one of the most American stores there is, Wal-Mart, because of the low prices.  The family is going to be on a strict budget so we want them to be able to get the most bang for their buck.  When we walked into the store, the family was walking through the exit, so we explained that we enter on the right side and try to always walk on the right side. 

We showed them many things, but we also feel that it may have been a bit overwhelming (totally understandable).  Some of the things we explained included:
·         The price on the shelf may not always be the price… sometimes it is the price per pound so you have to weigh the item to figure out the total price.
·         Fresh fruits and vegetables are more expensive than canned fruits and vegetables. This was a foreign concept because she said fresh fruits and vegetables were almost free where they were from.
·         You can get more bang for your buck by buying more grapes, than a few blackberries, depending on what is in-season at the time.
·         Look at the expiration date on the milk, and try to get the date furthest away from today’s date.
·         There are multiple brands that sell the same thing, so look for the lowest price.

As we walked past the bicycles, the girls were very interested and wanted to buy bikes.  We did not buy them bikes though because we were trying to stay within a reasonable budget so the family can learn how to budget with the limited amount of money given. 

When we started to check out, we showed them that you have to put the stick between your items and the person in front of you.  We also showed her how to make a payment with the credit card machine, because she should be receiving her own card to purchase food soon.

We drove back to the apartment and helped them put away the groceries and said our goodbyes for now.  The family was really excited though, because another Three Strands family was planning to come over later in the afternoon to take them to the park.  

- Sara Fix

Play date

The next afternoon Erica Stark, my two kids and I went to go visit the family. Nar, the case worker was at their home going over the leasing agreement and other paperwork that needed to be taken care of. The 4 of us were welcomed in eagerly by the mother and girls who were ready to play. The mother quickly offered us something to drink and brought an apple over for my 2 year old. With all that she has going on she was still being so hospitable and had a warm smile on her face. As she listened to Nar explain the lease, the rest of us played with the kids who had become fast friends. Running around the apartment, coloring, and jumping on the beds, Erica and I quickly became spectators in the house. My 7 month old had been on the verge of crawling for a week and as we sat there in the living room he watched the 3 kids running from room to room and was eager to join them. As they ran past for the 50th time he couldn't handle it anymore and started to crawl toward them ready to play while we all looked on and cheered.  I quickly realized this is what building relationships looks like, mutually sharing life with one another!  After Nar had finished explaining all the paper work, the mother joined us on the floor with the kids. You could tell she was tired but was enjoying watching her children play. After a little more time talking and helping her learn how to use the air conditioner thermostat, the boys and I headed home with the promise of coming back to go to the park on Saturday. We were all looking forward to it. Erica stayed a while longer and went with them on a walk around the neighborhood. They were able to see the school that the girls would be attending in the fall.

with joy,
Carolyn McDonald

Saturday, June 7, 2014

The Arrival!

June 4th, 2014 - The Arrival!!!

9:00pm
The night began meeting up with fellow St. Lukers killing time at the Empire Cafe. Sipping coffee and discussing culture differences as a final review before the 11pm arrival and first impression of Americans for the rest of their lives! No pressure as we drink more coffee and eat Oreo cheesecake for strength of the upcoming events. After glancing at the clock for the 10th time we decide its time to go. We get an adjacent gentleman to take this snapshot and head off to HOBBY Airport. Some of us assumed Bush but a last minute conversation saved a late night tour of Houston!



10:00pm
Airport! We meet up with the group and bring the beautifully made sign, thanks to a newly-wed couple and their ability to use Google to write "Welcome" in Dari, along with the signatures from folks that attended the shower. Soon we are greeted by the case worker and his wife to get down to business. Realizing the family will be here within the hour we step off to the side for one final prayer for their successful transition to new home and community.



10:30pm
The case worker gets the text that their plane has landed!

11:00pm
We arrive at the terminal exit at the end of the family's final flight of a long 24hrs. The Welcome sign was out at the sighting of the first confirmed passenger from a Dallas, TX departure. After welcoming 90% of the passengers and a display car in Dari, we saw them. Walking together hand in hand you could tell it was them as they approached. We are not sure who was more nervous us or them but we were both very happy to see each other. The two girls were a little scared and seemed to feel better after we gave them red, white and blue pin wheels. Now with 3 more to the group we walked to baggage claim where several large bags were to arrive. Then the other former refugee case worker from IM found us. This man was full of smiles and all of the protocol to follow for the new family! Once things settled down a little bit the mother let out some sweet words and tears of gratitude to all of us and our groups for our support. Some of us also teared up and was a good moment. The two girls were tired and shy but could tell they were going to be awesome to hangout with after things settle down.

We weren't sure if the mom wanted us to come to the apartment with the case workers for a late night apartment tutorial or she if would rather keep it less crowded tonight. But she wanted us to come which was very sweet and we were all happy to go. We grabbed them some waters, each took a bag and her guitar (she's a musician folks!) and headed to the apartment.

12:00am
We met at a Krogers to carpool to the new place. When we arrived the case worker was giving loud directions in the hallway at midnight to the smiley one. We walk in and the kids are a compete 180 from the airport. Laughing, opening and closing doors, smiling, and they even put their shoes neatly next to their twin beds. They would not sit still, running around and showing their dolls their new home. Joy. The mother was very grateful for the place and could tell she wanted to serve us somehow as it was too much. She laughed that some of us asked her to use her bathroom.


While the case worker was showing her the appliances and apartment we warmed up a purchased meal from Aladdins on Westheimer using her new kitchen wear and setup the table. To end the long day we let her know we would be seeing them soon and gave them a book with our family pictures and contact information. It was a truly awesome welcome, not over the top and full of gratitude from all sides. We feel extremely blessed and honored to be with them as they begin their journey and new life in America!

- Hubie Fix

Monday, June 2, 2014

The Journey

Sitting around looking at our small children playing along side one another, a few of us from 3 Strands Sunday school class were discussing how we try to foster outward thinking in our kids. How do we help them learn to be the hands and feet of God? We had talked about co-sponsoring a family with Interfaith Ministries several times over the past year and it was joyfully on our hearts to take the next step. Creating outward thinking children starts with us. We need to be the hands and feet, lead by example.

January started the journey of becoming paired with a refugee family. Through Alice King, we contacted Lizeth Zavala with Interfaith Ministries to move forward. First a few of us met with her to understand more what it meant to be a co-sponsor. She did a wonderful job explaining that we can be as involved as we want to be. It was totally up to us to decide our comfort level. When co-sponsoring, you are assisting the IM caseworker in helping the refugee family in anything from furnishing their apartment to enrolling their children in school.  After leaving us with a list of responsibilities, Three Strands discussed and decided which responsibilities we felt comfortable taking on ourselves and the rest we would leave for the caseworker take care of.  The main responsibilities we wanted to take on were setting up the family's apartment, greeting and picking them up from the airport, helping with orientation to their new community, enrolling the family's children in school and assisting IM in the effort to help the adults find employment. As a group, we went to the IM offices where Lizeth and Geleta gave us an orientation to prepare us to be co-sponsors .

First task we took on was to gather items for their apartment. Three Strand held a housewarming shower at the church for the family in early spring.  A registry was placed on the St. Luke's website to let everyone know what the family needed and for people to reserve what they would buy. The day of the shower we were overwhelmed with the support from our faith community. Every single item on the registry was purchased for the family. At the shower Three Strands hosted we had a prayer tree that guests were encouraged to take a specific prayer for the family, a welcome poster for people to sign and a piece of art to contribute to. We were so encouraged by everyone who came to support us in our efforts to create a fully stocked home for the family.



In early May Three Strands was told by IM that we were assigned a family of three from Afghanistan. The mom and her two daughters have been living in South Asia for years waiting to start a new life. It has become very real and exciting to know we have a family and that we will soon get to meet them. It got us all wondering about what this single mom and her young daughters must be going through.

June 1st we were able to move the donated items in to their apartment in preparation for their arrival! A group of us moved all of the items we received at the shower from storage to the apartment along with a few pieces of furniture. There were so many 3 Strand members there to help that it took no time at all. It was so exciting thinking of the family coming to their new home in just days. 








The family will be arriving tomorrow evening after a very long journey. A few 3 Strands members along with their Interfaith Ministries case worker will be there to welcome them to Houston. Be on the look out for our next post about their arrival. 

with joy,
Carolyn McDonald