Current needs and activities...

Good things are happening in the New American community. A great majority of our friends have settled in successfully with jobs, have purchased cars, many are moving up from crowded two bedroom into larger three bedroom apartments. They continue to improve language skills and their children are learning and growing. Life here is a continuum of their lives from wherever their country of origin; through weddings, new babies and birthdays they celebrate another year of life in a new country; America, their new home. They are asking about how to go about purchasing a house. They are understanding the American dream and want that for their family. Pray for wisdom as we advise and support their dreams!

We have welcomed our first Christian pastor into the west end community. In the camps, “Pastor Peter” led a church of 600! He has connected with our partnering church, West End Presbyterian, and is now leading worship services Sunday evenings in their chapel, where 60-80 are attending. Pray for this body of believers!

Homeland Security has imposed additional measures in the immigration application process which is slowing the arrivals for now. This gives us a much needed break, however, means that sometime soon, there will be many coming in all at once, creating hardship upon the resettlement agencies, already overburdened with providing services and support to so many in need. Additional frustration is heaped upon families on both sides who wait to reunite after being separated for many months. Pray for this situation!

We celebrate the very good things that are happening – but there are continuing struggles for many, especially those living very close to our church, just across the Nickel Bridge and beyond to Hull Street and Janke Road area. Public transportation is lacking, the area is somewhat depressed commercially and breeds unease and tension. There is less community there amongst those recently resettled. There are few vehicles and many are still looking for work. Our partner, Westover Baptist Church, is hosting ESL and Employment classes and provided the opportunity for our latest and greatest massive clothing distribution, mid-February. Through that event, we were able to show Christ’s love in tangible ways by getting much needed warm clothing into their hands and homes. Westover is hoping to continue that relationship through cultivating a Community Garden. Pray for creative ways to meet needs, to connect and to show we care!

Thank you for continuing to support us in so many ways. For the Iraqi family of nine, we did have a person respond who worked with the caseworker to stage the apartment; unpacking, washing and arranging the kitchen-ware, making the beds, helping to arrange the furniture to welcome them to their new home.

 Thank you for remembering us and networking with friends and family for donations of all things necessary to furnish an apartment. Immediate needs are all size bed frames and mattresses, dishware, linens and lamps. When this ministry comes to mind, thank you for praying for us and our faithful volunteers, and thank you for praying especially for these precious people – our New American friends.