The Season of Giving

Wilmont! We have an opportunity to bless our Amini family this Christmas season. Their new apartment has a hookup for a stackable washer/dryer combo. Our goal is raise enough funds this week to be able to give this precious family of six a new washer and dryer.

There are several ways to give: In person on Sunday (mark your offering envelope Laundry), on the Church Center app (select the fund Laundry), on our website (select the fund Laundry), or text to 84321 ("amount" laundry).

You might be wondering if our efforts with the Amini family are really making a difference for the Kingdom. Let us assure you they are! Check out this update from Nicole on behalf of our Refugee Response Team:

• The Aminis' relatives and friends are noticing the difference in the way that our team operates. We have even been approached by others asking questions about the differences in the care and love that we show. We have been able to explain that the difference is Jesus Christ! He loves them so much and has equipped us for ample opportunities to relay His love through service. Not every Refugee has the same experience with their Sponsors, so we are encouraged to see that others are noticing God's love in our team.
• The resettlement effort in Oklahoma is very nuanced - not every sponsor or case worker is operating with the same evangelistic purpose that we have. We believe that God has a specific plan for this family and is constantly changing our own hearts and minds to fulfill his purpose.
• We have had a lot of breakthrough conversations in recent weeks about adapting to their new American life. How to make a budget, how to pay bills, how to be more self sufficient, etc. But it goes even deeper. Their abrupt evacuation from their home in Afghanistan was very traumatic for them, so we are constantly working through their experience with them to introduce them to the hope and healing that can be found in Christ. 
• God has blessed the Aminis with a beautiful apartment community. We are constantly finding things that are evidence of God's handiwork. For instance: his neighbor turned out to be Sharif's friend from Afghanistan. He speaks English and has been a blessing to us and the Aminis. His kids go to the same school as the Aminis and they are becoming great friends.
• The Amini kids are thriving in their new school. They are among a growing Afghan population in their school (that was not the case at their old school). God used their new location to answer the prayer of school transportation - at their old school, Bibi was walking them back and forth two miles. (With all 4 children - this was a great challenge). At their new school, they are able to ride the bus so this was a tremendous answer to a very serious concern.
• Sharif is flourishing in his new job. He is working as a Maintenance Technician at a nearby auto shop. He has said that he has always wanted to work with cars and God provided this in a big way. He is working for a supervisor who truly cares about teaching him skills to help him develop his career.
• God is using this ministry in our own lives to point people to Him. We have had countless conversations about the good things that God has done for the Aminis with people of all walks of life. As we go about our lives, we have talked about the work God is doing in the  Aminis' lives with translators, hospital staff and other patients, case workers and others at Catholic Charities, old friends, work colleagues, distant family members - anybody who asks "how are you" gets an earful about God's amazing progress with this family! (Many of whom are not believers). God is really using this to reach people that might have never otherwise heard about the good news of Christ.
• Arifullah, (the baby) was in the hospital with RSV during the week of Thanksgiving. He had been sick for almost two months and both the RRT and the Amini parents were exhausted. During one particular late night in the ER, Stephen and the kids met Bibi and myself in their room to bring us food and drinks. Before they left, we joined hands around them and prayed for Arifullah's healing. We spoke the name of Jesus over his body, over his family, and over the doctors and nurses. Later, Bibi and I sat in the uncomfortable ER chairs in the middle of the night, shared a cup of hot tea, and she said "thank you for everything" in the best English that she knew. I believe that our prayers met her on a mutual level of respect, despite our differing beliefs. They see that we are serving a God of love, and I believe He is showing them His love for them. It was a very beautiful moment that I will never forget.

Is it truly better to give than to receive as stated in Acts 20? I think you'd agree, when we give, we also receive! If you're able, help us give our friends this gift that will be a blessing to their whole family. Plus, if you'd like to get in on these blessings and be a part of our Refugee Response Team, contact any member of staff or call the church office. We'll get you connected to the team!

Donate Here!