Thanksgiving Weekend

NoSa works at a car dealership, washing cars. Because he must make several bus connections to get from his apartment to his job, he leaves home at 5 AM to begin work at 8. After a long day of work, he takes the same bus commute back home in the evening, arriving home around 7:30. He would love to find a job closer to home, but for now, they're very grateful for the work that he has, as they are now beginning to take on the payment of their rent, utilities, food, clothing, etc. Because NoSa is gone all day Monday through Friday, and he often works on Saturdays, it means that he is unable to take the ESL (English as a Second Language) classes that are offered for new refugees. He practices with some of our volunteers, but it definitely makes it more challenging to not be able to take the classes.

One of our volunteers, Jill, has been spending every Sunday afternoon with the Lams, helping them to figure out grocery shopping, budgeting, practicing English, etc. We're in the process of buying baby things for the baby that is due next month, as well as Christmas gifts for their first Christmas in America. What fun it is to get to share all these new adventures with the Lams!

November Update

Wonderful news to share!!! ZarZar is expecting a baby in early January! She has had a few health issues since first arriving in the USA in August, so it's understandable that she gets a little tired (not to mention trying to keep up with two very active little girls), but she seems to have good spirits and a fair amount of energy in spite of all that.

NoSa has a job now, which is a wonderful step as they become more and more self-reliant. The family is just beginning to take English lessons, and they are working hard to overcome the challenges of learning a language that is so very different from theirs. The good thing is that there are many people in their apartment complex who are willing to help translate, so communication is not as much of a stumbling block as it could be if it weren't for all that help.

Several of Grace's volunteers brought NoSa, ZarZar, ZarZar's sister, and the two girls: ThaZin and TinSay, to the refugee picnic. It was so fun for the Lam family as they had an opportunity to see many of their friends from the refugee camp that they came from in Thailand. They experienced the fun of playing frisbee and playing on the swings and slides and other equipment in the park. The girls enjoyed the balloons that they were given, although none of the balloons survived the park.

Thank you to all our volunteers who have helped the Lam's over these past several months so they could practice their English and feel connected, and to those who are now beginning to shop for Christmas gifts to make their first Christmas here memorable.

If you'd like to help provide Christmas for the family, or if you'd like to practice English with them, contact Dianne at diannepar@gmail.com