(Posted 6/21/2022)
When the parish agreed to support refugees in their transition to American life, the Justice Peace and Outreach Commission invited St. Mary’s parishioners to become mentors to refugees. Following training and background checks, this newly formed welcome committee of seven set out to take Pope Francis’ words to heart, to “welcome, protect, promote, and integrate” those who have had to flee their homes in order to stay safe. Our eyes, as well as our hearts, have been opened to the difficulties and the hopes that these families have experienced. We have been welcomed into one-bedroom apartments, struggled to make ourselves understood to each other, laughed together at our linguistic troubles, and promised to see each other again soon.
After a particularly busy day communicating, researching, texting, placing phone calls and emails, I thought I’d jot down the variety of tasks this group has taken on. We currently support four households with a total of six people (the seventh is on the way). The following “day in the life” gives you an idea of our experience. The times may vary, but the dedication and goodwill are reliable! I have used only the first initial of the names of our refugee families.
A Day In the Life of the Refugee Mentors Kathryn and Michael Lien, Julie Wodicka, Carol Stehly, Aine Mickelson, and Maureen and Mark Sather.
7:30 AM: Kathryn’s nephew, Patrick, texts her, offering an almost new mattress, if one of our refugees would like it. Quickly, Kathryn sends a message, which first is written on Google translate from English to Pashto, and then copied to WhatsApp, to Sa, whose bed is broken, wondering if a queen-size mattress would fit in his apartment. “I am happy” is the reply that means, yes, please. We agree to deliver the mattress Wednesday evening at 7 pm.
8:00 AM: Julie sends an email with details outlining ESL possibilities in the south metro, where our refugee friends are living. They include contacts with the LiteracyMN and Lyndale Education Program. Aine has researched the International Institute of Mn. Julie also looked into health care possibilities for MJ and Z, who work for a food provider for aircraft at the airport.
8:30 AM: Carol and Kathryn discovered, on their last trip to see H and M, that M’s baby is due in THREE weeks, not SIX weeks. Carol is locating and contacting food shelves, WIC information, and well-baby centers. Kathryn contacts our favorite interpreter, K, to see if he can meet the group with H and M on Tuesday afternoon.
9:00 AM: Kathryn sends off a driver’s manual in the Pushto language to MJ, who wants to learn to drive. After several phone calls and a visit to the DMV, Mark has managed to find a driver’s manual in paper form rather than online, for Su, who also wants to learn to drive, but prefers his manual in English.
11:30 AM: Aine, who had to fly back to Ireland to see a dear friend, sends a long email describing what she’s learned about Afghan culture. Her extensive reading enlightens us as we learn more about how to interact with our new friends.
1:00 PM: Kathryn contacts Richfield Parks and Recreation, to find out about pick-up soccer games. Sa would love to play. Mark is checking in with city administrators in Richfield, Bloomington, and Edina, to learn about opportunities for immigrants and refugees in those cities.
3:30 PM: K texts Kathryn that he has been successful in setting up a meeting on Tuesday at 5:00. However, his car is in the shop, could he ask to have someone pick him up?
4:30 PM: After a few texts and WhatsApp conversations, Carol, Maureen, and Julie agree on leaving White Bear Lake on Tuesday at 3:45 for a 5:00 visit with K and H and M. K’s car is repaired so they go straight to the apartment. At that meeting arrangements will be made for Michael to take H and M to Alight, the non-profit that offers household goods to refugees for free. H and M hope to find a television and a vacuum cleaner, and a baby swing. Oh—and M’s baby is due in six weeks, not three. Whew.
St. Mary’s is committed to partnering with Lutheran Social Services to serve as mentors to refugees. If you wish to contribute to our on-going support, contributions can be placed in the collection -please indicate “for Refugee Outreach”.