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