In late November, a young family from Eritrea was placed in Largo, about twenty minutes from the church - Mirach and Merhawit and their three little boys, a 1-year old, an active 2-year old and a sweet 6-year old with serious disabilities. Florida and their location were a difficult adjustment. Their apartment was 2.2 miles from the supermarket, but they did not have a car. No one spoke their language (Tigrinya). There was no sidewalk to walk along or park or playground nearby. They were deeply worried about their future, speaking and reading English, school for the 6-year old, transportation, money, and work. Very importantly, there was no one who spoke their language.

UUC became involved with the family in early December. Our commitment was to visit the family and to take them food shopping once or twice a week. Members of the church visited the family two or three times a week. The family was deeply grateful for the visits and the gifts and donations from our congregation. For example, food stamps do not cover diapers, an expensive item when all three children wear diapers! The family was overwhelmed when we dropped off numerous boxes of diapers, toys for the children, sheets and blankets, etc., and a used bicycle for Mirach.

However, Mirach was becoming depressed and more and more concerned. Then, a close friend from Iowa offered to buy the family tickets to Sioux City, where there is an Eritrean community. The apartment next to his friend was available and other families in the complex were from Eritrea. This was all Mirach dreamed of for the next month. And yes, we finally decided to become involved in helping him with this next journey.

A few weeks ago, at 4 a.m., two members of the church waited with Mirach and his family for an airport van. The airport experience was an adventure. Seven of the family's suitcases were overweight (over 50 pounds) and suitcases were spread over the airport floor, with Mirach trying to redistribute the weight and deciding what to leave behind. One of the suitcases was filled with all the diapers! In the chaos, Mirach managed to lose all five boarding passes and they had to be reissued. The whole process of getting the family through check-in took a good hour! Finally, the family was at the right terminal and we hugged and kissed goodbye. They boarded the shuttle, got through the security and boarded the plane. And, somehow, they managed to change planes in Chicago. Maybe the sign that Mirach held helped, “I do not speak English. Please help me. What gate do I need? Thank you!” Late that afternoon Mirach called, “Iowa. Yes, family in Iowa! Thank you! Thank very much you. Thank very very much church!”

We wish them the very best. We have heard from Mirach twice. Yes, Sioux City is very cold, and they had 12 Inches of snow the first week they were there. But, after only one week, the 6-year-old is in school. Mirach is so very, very happy and thankful to all of us.   
 -- Barb Foley, Refugee Committee