Update from Jill - April 12

On April 5, I went over to see the family and we had fun with them telling me how to say some things in Karen and me telling them how to say the English word for items in their apartment. I also took them some clothes and it was good to see I got the size right on a lot of them. We made plans for me to go back on April 10 so one of them could get shoes and I now know the Karen word for shoe: "kaw pee".

On April 7, Ron and Judy and the case worker Win met with the family and made plans for them to deliver some bicycles sometime in the next week. We had been hoping to find a television for the family, so I sent an email this week to some people in the church and awaited a reply.

On April 10, I went back and brought along a book of the alphabet. It turns out the children had learned the alphabet in the camp and they had good pronunciation of some of the basic words by sounding them out. So that was good for them. Using my grasp of the Karen word for "shoe" and the help of the little 10-year old neighbor friend, the oldest daughter (Mu Doh Paw) and I finally got on our way to find some shoes, and she found what she wanted pretty quickly. Later that day I got great email news that someone had a television for the family. She would bring it to church on Sunday.

April 11, we received the tv. The challenge was how to get the tv from the car to the upstairs apartment. My husband has a bad back and so does Ron. I called HaRon (who has been mentioned in earlier blog entries) and asked if he and a friend could help me. In the end, he said he could do it alone so we got to the apartment at the same time as Judy & Ron. They had an antennae for the tv and I had purchased a converter box. HaRon carried the tv on his shoulder up the stairs and then had the added benefit of finding out that even though he doesn't speak Karen, Mying Mying did understand Burmese but didn't speak it! So he was able to explain things a little more quickly than we would have otherwise, and also interacted with a neighbor who speaks Karen and Burmese. He was also able to give encouragement about learning English since he came in January 2008 and couldn't speak English and now can act as translator! (He has done super at learning English and taking classes and practicing.)

What joy there was at receiving the tv. The neighbor children came in and the family hugged Ron, Judy and me. Ron and Judy also brought 3 bikes. It was fun to have us all there at one time. I am happy we have a group helping. Giving felt really good.

I am including a picture of everyone in front of the tv.

Jill met the Mying Mying Family

I finally met the Mying Mying family today. I was glad Judy had supplied the picture so I recognized the mother right away when she answered the door. The family does not speak English or even Burmese, but just Karen. Thankfully, there are some neighbors who can translate.

It's a little challenging when you don't know any of the language, but we already shared some smiles and laughs because of my gesturing to explain things and demonstrating the vacuum cleaner I had brought. They would like a television and some bicycles for the kids. They have learned the word for bicycle already. (Michelle's note: our experience has been that televisions are wonderful ways for them to start learning English).

I am happy that the apartments are within easy walking distance of the Fry's supermarket. None of the other families have easily been able to walk to the store.

They seem like a very nice family and I look forward to getting to know them a little more.

The Mying Mying Family has arrived

It was after 11 PM on Wednesday night, March 25, 2010, when Ron & Judy Gavette met the Mying Mying Family at the airport. Imagine how tired everyone was during this first meet and greet. Details of the family's resettlement to come!

New Refugee Family Arriving

We are looking forward to starting with our next family on March 24, 2010. They are from Burma as well. They are a widow and four children ages 8-13.

We are fortunate to have some donations from Living Water Lutheran Church for the furnishings.

If you would like to be involved with this wonderful opportunity to welcome and assist this new family, please contact Jill at jcrsinaz@juno.com

Would You Like to Join the Refugee Cluster?

The last few months of the year were pretty busy for Jill as she worked with the refugee families. Jill writes about her many trips to the doctor's office with the one of the refugees: "She was pregnant, and in November, we had to start going every week. I can let you know that I found a wonderful resource for refugee women in the Refugee Women Health Clinic in the Maricopa Integrated Health System on Roosevelt Street.

On December 14, I was called early in the morning and drove BraKet to the hospital, where I helped get things sorted out initially. Later in the day, I was there for the birth. Amazing!

Sophia is a sweet baby and the father is very happy to say she was 'made in the U.S.A.' I had a hard time getting him to believe she was a citizen from birth. Not every country grants that privilege.

Also since the last entry, I have been practicing English with a few people and solving other problems for a variety of people, mostly by grasping the situation and being able to make contacts on the phone. It's a great feeling to tell someone you were able to get the answer that was needed.

More and more of this recent group of refugees I spend time with are starting to take adult ed English classes which will boost their confidence in dealing with new situations. It is wonderful to spend time with them."

If you would like to join Jill in this exciting adventure of bringing Grace to these families, email info@faceofgrace.org to get more information about being part of the newly forming Refugee Cluster.

The Ah Mee Family and Lam Family Update from Jill

Ah Mee family--Po Lone had a problem with his bike tire. We went to get it and it was shredded. We took the tire to see if it could be fixed and that night the rest of the bike was stolen from the apartment complex. So we were left with a tire and no bike. His friend's bike was also stolen. I asked J.D. if he could see if any of the youth had a bike they no longer wanted. J.D. was able to find a couple of bikes and today we delivered one to Po Lone so he could use it to get to school. Thanks, youth!

Lam family--Tin Say started kindergarten August 10. She had already learned part of the alphabet as her family had been working on it with her. She wasn't sure she would like school but does now. ThaZin is in 2nd grade this year. Their baby sister is talking up a storm and walking all over the place. There is a lot of activity when she is around.
ZarZar is working at Lee Lee's again so the girls stay with their grandparents when both NoSa and ZarZar are at work. I have been going to the grandparents' apartment on occasion to help one of ZarZar's sisters with her computer so I have gotten to see the girls a bit.
This past Thursday there was a feast at NoSa Lam's apartment before the start of Ramadan and I was invited. I am very appreciative to be included in big events like that.

A Well-Deserved Award

Jill Coughlin was selected for the Wells Fargo Volunteer Service Award for the work that she has been doing in helping to re-settle the Burmese refugee families that Community of Grace has sponsored over the past several years. Jill's compassion and commitment to these families has made a lasting difference in their lives, and we are so blessed by the way she has embraced these families on behalf of Community of Grace. A $1,000 gift was made in her honor by Wells Fargo to Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest to help them continue this amazing ministry to refugee families. We are incredibly proud of Jill, and so grateful for her selfless service. Congratulations, Jill!

Jill's Response:
Community of Grace played a large part of this because if it wasn't for Grace, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to serve and learn and have the wonderful experience of meeting and helping these people. I am grateful for the privilege.
Thank you!