Our Adopted Afghani Family Update

Mohammad, Sohaila, Rana and Sana are moving forward with their challenges adjusting to their newly adopted country. Both Mohammad and Rana have obtained full-time jobs at Walmart in Manassas, and they are able to walk or bike to work. They are much happier doing this than their prior jobs packing meat, which were 12 hours long, with a two hour bus ride each way to work. Sana has enrolled in a school that will allow her to complete her high school diploma. The family is kind, generous and are wonderful hosts to all of the Saint James volunteers. They have asked for very little and primarily want assistance in helping their son, Samim, immigrate here to join them. Our ministry team has been frugal with the donations provided, and to date our church members have contributed/pledged close to $6,500! Generous donations of hard items have allowed the ministry team to keep expenditures less than $300 to date. This generosity will help greatly towards the purchase of a small, used car once Mohammad has his license.

We are in need of volunteers willing to drive to Manassas to take family members to various appointments. We also need someone willing to embrace the challenge of teaching Mohammad and Sohaila English. This teaching would require driving to their apartment in Manassas for tutoring. Sohaila has never been to school. The Refugee Ministry Team is hoping to plan a social event at church where parishioners can meet our adopted family. Stay tuned!!!

Contact information:

Joanne (General Information/Communications/Transportation)          jcharles1331@gmail.com

Christine (Education/English)         christine.bobal@gmail.com

Lucian (Family Re-Unification)         Lucianniemeyer@gmail.com

Warren (Finance)         wbwatkins3@southstar-sterling.com

Carter (Youth/Young Adult Fellowship)         carterwatkins87@gmail.com

Karla (SJES Liaison)         karlamackimmie@gmail.com

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