We are so excited to share with you a bit of an introduction to the sweet family I’ve been spending time with as a refugee volunteer - the Thabit family; a father, mother, and 4 year old boy. They waited 9 long years in Jordan after fleeing their home country of Yemen and finally made it safely to Chicago. Because of all of this, there is a nearly tangible, overflowing spirit of gratitude when you’re around them.
The time my sons and I have spent with them has been seriously wonderful. I expected the first meeting to be a little awkward - just meeting one another, not speaking the same language, and having an Exodus World Service representative present to kind of explain to us how this all works - but I was wrong. When my two sons and I arrived at the door of their apartment the mother was instantly helping me take my baby out of the carrier and kissing his feet and the father was introducing their son to my 2 year old. And now, with each visit that passes, we are more comfortable with one another, and it feels like we are spending time with friends.
Conversation is still tricky of course, and we mostly use Google Translate, but I can see improvement each week in their English! They are taking English classes Monday - Thursday. The last time we visited the father said to me, “Won’t it be amazing years from now when we can talk to each other without a phone?!”. When we are there, the mother loves on my baby, makes us food and tea, and together she and I try to keep our 2 and 4 year olds from climbing on everything, potentially breaking something, and we are continually cleaning up their crumbs. There is plenty of shaking our heads and laughing together. The father mans the phone to help us all communicate because we have our hands occupied with the little ones, and plays with the two older boys who are usually racing trucks or trying to stick their tongues into the standing fan.
If I’m being honest, I word-vomited when I said I would volunteer with this family - their arrival happened so quickly and I knew they needed a volunteer quickly and the words “I’ll do it” just spilled out, despite my feeling that life was too crazy and busy already. But, as these things usually go, you later realize it was the Holy Spirit getting you right where you’re supposed to be. Here are a couple of photos from our most recent visit - we celebrated their son’s 4th birthday and took a walk to a nearby park.
Thanks to your generosity, ICSJ’s refugee fund made it possible to pay for the first three months of their rent and basic furniture for their apartment. This was coordinated through the resettlement agency, Catholic Charities. The family is now being assisted by both Catholic Charities and Exodus World Service as they continue to make Chicago their new home. They are so willing and eager to learn, I know they will do well here, but please keep them in your prayers.
While they don’t ask me for anything, there are some things they’ve needed since their arrival. Through a couple of moms groups I’m in, and more work of the Holy Spirit/their generosity, I’ve been able to provide them with a dresser, a nightstand, and a tv. The family would also like to have a cart for their groceries, as they are walking to and from the store, and some sort of a water filter. In addition, any books or toys or clothes for a 4 year old boy would be so appreciated. If you would like to donate any of these items or provide the funds for me to purchase them, please don’t drop them at the church, but rather contact me at the parish office.
— Allie Klazura, Outreach Ministries Coordinator