Recently
We changed from an hour long English coaching session every Sunday, to at home visits and providing support and “Life” coaching.
You can imagine that taking a group of refugees and hustling them off to apartments isn’t exactly the introduction to western living that any of us would enjoy.
The greatest need for assimilation is partnerships and community with these beautiful people. I feel strongly that they hold a key to our economic future. Yes we want them to become part of our society and eventually become citizens if they choose, but I want them to share their culture with me. It is that exchange that makes America great.
It gives me joy to watch my fellow citizens reach out of their comfort zones to the Karen and Karenni group we are involved with in all our backwardness.
I watched one such person loudly say “I AM SURE YOU DON’T SPEAK ENGLISH” to one of our students who actually does speak English rather well. Oh, the humanity.
One of the refugee families through the co-sign of one of our volunteers was able to purchase their own home. I don’t even have words to describe how this makes me feel. But I am definitely proud of my country and more willing to serve it, in these events.
Yesterday I shared the gift of strawberry ice cream with a refugee friend. The smiles we shared were best part of my whole day. I have to resist the temptation to act like a teenager and show them all the cheats, slang, and things I enjoy doing to goof off.
