Trinity’s Starfish Ministry

Welcome Al Azzawi Family

It was de ja vu all over again: waiting at the airport, welcome signs aloft, cameras poised, anticipation growing. Just like one year ago when Trinity welcomed the Mohannad Wahieb family, members of the Starfish team waited at the Orlando International Airport…not for a celebrated athlete or a popular rock star…but
for the Ammar Al Azzawi family, refugees from Iraq via a refugee community in Egypt.

After destruction of his business and threats to his family, Mr. Al Azzawi fled with his wife and four children, with assistance of the US military, to a very temporary home in Egypt where they waited through the long process of being officially designated as refugees by the UN High Commissioner on Refugees. After that lengthy and demanding stage, there was an even longer wait to be assigned by a host country…mountains of necessary clearances accomplished…to be escorted into that country as legal refugees under the caring and competent administration of a voluntary agency well versed in refugee resettlement, like Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services. Then, finally, assigned to a host congregation like Trinity Lutheran Church, in Kissimmee, Florida.

All that done. Now an arduous but hope filled journey of 32 hours: from Egypt, to Germany, to New York, finally to Orlando. And then to Kissimmee where safe haven awaits… where a new home lovingly prepared welcomes…where strange but very friendly faces greet.. And life, new life, begins again.

Shortly after midnight on Wednesday, February 17, a handful of folks from Trinity Lutheran Church finally saw them heading their way. Ammar (the dad), Dalya (the Mom), and their four beautiful children, Nasmah, 10, Yasameen 9, and the twins age 2, Hana and Abdullah in tow. Finally, the priceless moment of welcome and hospitality:  “Hello Al Azzawi family…we are your friends…welcome to America!”

In such moments, God’s angels swirl overhead in heavenly joy.

Fred More,
Starfish Team

On June 20, 2009, Mohannad  Wahieb was a featured speaker at the World Refugee Day ceremonies in Orlando, Fl.  This ceremony included a naturalization ceremony for about 30 new citizens.  It was an inspiring day of exhibits, moving speeches, dance and music.

Mohannad was also interviewed by the media and talked about his work with Lutheran Services to help resettle other refugees in this area.

Here is the text of Mohannad’s speech:
Hello
Greetings to you all, and congratulations to all of you who are becoming US Citizens today. It is an honor and a privilege for me to be among you today. You have taken a great and courageous step in your lives and will now have great opportunity to reach your full potential in this place. Your lives have not been easy and you have overcome many obstacles to get here today. But because you have made this effort, your children and their children will have a future of freedom and justice. President John F. Kennedy wrote in his essay, A Nation of Immigrants, that “change is the essence of life, and that American society is a process, not a conclusion.” Today, you are a part of that process and continue to change and shape America’s future.

My name is Mohannad Wahieb. Truth be told, I would really rather not be here today. I would much rather be safe in my former home in Bagdhad, Iraq with my wife Salwa and my three daughters, Nisreen, Samaa, and Samar. We found ourselves in danger because of my work with the US Military providing medical supplies for villages and towns affected by the war. I lost my home, my living, and my brother was killed. It was time for us to leave so I took my wife and children to Amman, Jordan to live as best we could. I knew we could not go back. My story is not unique. Some of you here may share my story. But my story turned from tragedy to hope when I was given refugee status and resettled here in Kissimmee, Florida in February.

As my family and I waited for our refugee status, a Lutheran congregation in Kissimmee, Florida was answering a call to start a ministry for refugees that they named the “Starfish” ministry. The people of Trinity Lutheran Church spent many hours studying about refugees and learning that they could make a big difference to refugees in our world, one person, or one family at a time. They began working with Lutheran Services of Florida and met with Eli Hernandez to start a journey towards helping to resettle a refugee family. The Starfish Ministry wanted to resettle a refugee family. They had no idea what the family would look like, or even if it would be a family. Some refugees leave family behind to be resettled later. Some refugees are elderly. Some refugees are disabled. Here in Central Florida the majority of refugees come from Cuba. The US State Department, through LIRS, asked if Trinity could take a very high priority case. They had gained reputation as being fairly well prepared to handle a special case.

During the months that Trinity prepared itself to resettle refugees, my family got closer to the end of our time in Jordan. We had no idea of the outcome that awaited us when we finally got word that we were to be resettled in Florida.

We arrived safe and sound at Orlando International Airport about 11 o’clock on February 1 into a small sea of smiling faces and welcoming signs from Trinity. Our exhaustion of 27 hours of travel gave way at least briefly while we greeted our new friends for the first time. It was a powerful moment. We felt blessed that Trinity, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, and the US State Department came together to make this possible for us. Our happiness was increased when we arrived in our new home that had been nicely furnished with everything we needed to get started. The students of Trinity’s sixth grade class presented us with a batch of welcoming letters. My family is truly lucky and we now have a chance to start over and have a normal life in our new home.

You should know that this is only the beginning for us, and we have a long way to go. But we must not forget that there are still millions of refugees hoping for a new start and we must do everything we can to help. Just as in the Starfish story, we should work hard to make a difference to one, or a few, or as many as we can. It was Margaret Mead who said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” I know this to be true because I have seen it with my own eyes and it has given me and my family a new start.

There are many ways you can help and many ways you can make a difference. Here are just a few suggestions:

1. Learn as much as you can about the more than 34 million people of concern to UNHCR, who are affected by a shortage or lack of the essentials of life – clean water, food, sanitation, shelter, health care and protection from violence and abuse – which means that every day can be a struggle just to survive. On this World Refugee Day we remember the millions of forcibly displaced and stateless people struggling with their day-to-day lives. They are real people with real needs – basic needs that must be met so they have a chance to rebuild their lives.
2. Donate to UNHCR and LIRS – these organizations rely almost completely on donations to fund their operations. Contribute now. Be sure to ask your employers if they have matching fund programs available.
3. Stay informed by subscribing to newsletters and reading about what’s happening to refugees around the world.
4. Spread the word by getting active online using social networking sites to reach a wide audience.
5. Volunteer in your church or civic organization to support refugees and efforts to resettle refugees in our area. If your organization would like to know more about Trinity Lutheran Church’s Starfish Ministry, we will be happy to speak with you today.

I will close today with a quote from a Cambodian refugee, by the name of Loung Ung. May this be an inspiration for you:

To all the survivors out there, I want them to know that we are stronger and more resilient than we ever knew. We survived, that should be enough but it isn’t. We must work hard to become whole again, to fill our soul with love and inspiration, to live the life that was intended for us before it was disrupted by war and horrors, and help rebuild a world that is better than the one we had just left.

Thank you again for the honor of speaking with you here today, and please do all you can to support World Refugee Day 2009.

Mohannad and the Wahieb family:

“IT HAS BEEN MY LIFELONG PRAYER TO BE ABLE TO HELP OTHERS”-Mohannad Wahieb

THEY WILL TELL YOU THEMSELVES. Mohannad, Salwa, Nisreen, Samaa and Samar Wahieb will all tell you. Because of the extraordinary friendship and support of Trinity Lutheran Church and School, the marvelous network at LIRS and LSF, and the Hand of God sustaining and guiding them, they have found a new home in America, a community of loving people, and a future they could only dream of years ago.

HERE IS THE LATEST: MOHANNAD has accepted a very exciting job offer from Lutheran Services of Florida to play a key role in future resettlement efforts in central Florida. Among his duties will be to contact churches, mosques, synagogs and civic organizations to seek sponsors for other refugees cleared to come to our country. He will also provide guidance to new refugees on the myriad of details and procedures that refugees must deal with as they seek to establish themselves in their new homeland.

In his own words Mohannad says….“It has been my lifelong prayer to be able to help others…now God has given me this wonderful opportunity.”

WAIT, THERE IS MORE: With the final grant from Lutheran Services of Florida and a loan from a close family member, Mohannad and Salwa have been able to purchase a 2002 Dodge Caravan in excellent condition with 74,000 miles. Ask Tim Romberg how fortunate we were to find this car and to have enough available “cash” to buy it outright.

OK, THERE IS STILL MORE. NISREEN, their oldest daughter, has graduated from Trinity Lutheran School doing exceptionally well for one who has learned so quickly to adapt to our culture. She confesses great sadness over having to go to another school next year, having developed such strong bonds at Trinity School. We will also be sad not to have her in our school next year.

SHE WOULD SCOLD ME if I didn’t mention that SAMAR graduated from Kindergarten in early June. SAMA, her older sister, just bubbles with delight over her new friends her classmates and says, “I just can’t wait for school to begin again!”

NOT TO BE OUTDONE…SALWA continues her English class training under the loving and talented hand of Mary Mitchell. Salwa’s goal, once the children are back in school, is to finish her undergraduate work, probably at Valencia Community College.

KEEP READING…HANA KADAB OMRAN, Salwa’s mom who lives in Amman, Jordan, has been accepted as a refugee under the auspices of the United Nations to be finally cleared through Homeland Security of the United States. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service will soon pick up that process and make arrangements for Hana to be reunited with her family in Kissimmee, Florida. Pray that blessed event goes well.

FINALLY THIS FOR NOW…MOHANNAD was a featured speaker at the ceremonies at the Orlando Public Library on Saturday, June 20 in commemoration of WORLD REFUGEE DAY. In the audience were representatives of the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Homeland Security, Catholic Charities, Lutheran Services of Florida, officials from Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties along with representative of the City of Orlando and other neighboring communities. A highlight of this significant occasion was the swearing in ceremony during which some thirty “former” refugees became citizens of The United States, an event that will someday include the Wahieb family of Kissimmee, Florida.

In all of this, may Our Heavenly Father be glorified!

Fred More, Coordinator
Trinity’s Starfish Ministry

The Wahieb family arrived in February into the welcoming arms of their Trinity Lutheran Church and School family.  A lot has happened since then, all going towards the goal of gaining self-sufficiency for the family.

The Wahieb family’s journey has been remarkable.  Since they arrived we have learned more about their perilous journey and how their resettlement came not a moment too soon.  While they are now safe, they still worry every day about Salwa’s mother, who remains in Jordan until she, too, is approved for resettlement.

So, to catch you up a little on what’s happened.  First, after an extensive job search, Mohanned was given an opportunity to work as a hotel security guard in a nearby resort.  In this economy, finding an entry-level job was difficult and involved many applications, interviews, and follow-ups. Monhanned started work last week and by all accounts is doing quite well.

Meanwhile, the family had to get their medical check-ups and Monhanned got his driver license.  They have enrolled the children in school at Trinity, and Salwa is getting tutoring in English to enhance her skills. 

How has all of this been possible?  It has been made possible by the grace of God, and the hard work and participation of a team of more than 14 people from Trinity and LIRS. 

The team worked over 300 hours going to meetings, planning, accounting, reporting, tutoring, and much more.  The team reported driving over 1700 miles to assist the family getting to appointments and job interviews, shopping, and tutoring.

Above and beyond everything that was done prior to the family’s arrival to furnish the apartment, there were many more generous donations to help this family get themselves on the road to self-sufficiency:

• School Supplies
• Telephone
• Groceries
• Meals
• Computer
• School Tuition, Books, Uniforms
• Over $1650 additional cash

The challenge now is to secure a decent, safe car for the family.  This is a challenge because Mohanned has no credit history in this country, and their budget is very tight.   The car will be key to success, and even though it will stretch the budget, it is a necessity. 

So pray for a car, and for self-suffiency.  And thank God for such an amazing group of people and such an overwhelming response from the Trinity Lutheran Church and School family. 

The Wahieb family arrived safe and sound at Orlando International Airport about 11:00 on February 1 into a small sea of smiling faces and welcoming signs from Trinity. Their exhaustion of 27 hours of travel yielded at least briefly while new friends greeted each other for the first time. It was a powerful moment. These people are simply beautiful. However much Trinity, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, and the US State Department may have saved their lives, I know God will bless us through this amazing family. Hopefully, you will get to meet them soon. Be careful…they will steal your hearts, especially Samaa their seven year old. Samar, the four year old, was a bit frightened by it all. Nisreen, the fourteen year old, just kept smiling through tired but joyful eyes. We owe a huge thanks to the welcoming crew who had everything done in order to make this transition go very smoothly for their arrival. Also, great big thanks to the students of Patsy Morrow’s sixth grade class who presented a batch of welcoming letters to the family. And for all those who have been working for this moment for an entire year, let your hearts rejoice! It is so very clear that our Father in Heaven loves His children. All of us.

Right away, Mr. Wahieb expressed an interest in thanking the congregation and school and introducing his family. For that we have planned a reception between services this Sunday, February 15. We hope that everyone will get the chance to be there.

The question has been asked, “How should we greet the Wahieb family when we meet them on Sunday?”

Answer….with big smiles! Our Starfish family is very down-to-earth, dresses like we do, and wants to get to know our church and school. They are very comfortable shaking hands. Once they get to know you, they likely will offer a hug. They speak English very well.

Our next big (huge, really) task will be to find Mr. Waheib some employment. I don’t have to tell you, dear readers, that the down economy is going to pose a challenge. The good news is that Mr. Waheib is highly employable, and will be qualified for just about any and every job for which he will apply. His English language is fluent and he has an impressive resume and qualifications. If you can provide any contacts that can help us get some leads on available jobs, please let us know right away.

Well, that’s about it, fellow Starfish throwers, for now. Stay tuned, because this can get addictive, and we will want to start finding more Starfish to throw pretty soon!

And be sure to check out the new link (posted in the link list) for the Welcome:  Portaits of America video — you will love it!!

Sometimes we wonder why things happen a certain way…especially when we think we are in control of things but it really turns out that we are not in control in any way.  That’s kind of what’s been happening now with our Starfish family.  Have you wondered what happened? 

First of all, we were expecting our family to arrive prior to Christmas.  We had an apartment all ready for them.  Thanks to your generosity, we had furniture, supplies, clothing, food, and even a simple supper all planned for when they arrived.  When they went to pick up their final paperwork, the office they needed to visit was closed!!  Then they couldn’t make their flight the next day, which has delayed them even to this day.  Never fear, they are still coming, but it may still be a few more weeks.

While you’re wondering about a few things, I wonder if you have had any questions.  We have answered a few recently, and I wanted to share some of the answers:

Did we specifically seek, or ask for, a Muslim family from Iraq? 

When we first started the Starfish Ministry, our only wish was to resettle a refugee family.  We had no idea what the family would look like, or even if it would be a family.  Some refugees leave family behind to be resettled later.  Some refugees are elderly.  Some refugees are disabled.  Here in Central Florida the majority of refugees come from Cuba.  The point is, Trinity did not ask to sponsor a refugee family from Iraq.  Our State Department, through LIRS, asked if we could take this very high priority case.  Apparently we have gained somewhat of a reputation as being fairly well prepared to handle this kind of special case.

Being asked to help resettle this family was a total surprise to the Starfish Ministry Team.  Actually the team anticipated that we would be asked to help a family from Darfur. Surprise or not, we evaluated the situation and in early November….without knowing who the family was…just that they were Sunni Muslims who had to flee Baghdad…we told LIRS that we would do our best to help resettle this family.

What about possible dangers, or links to terrorism?

Yes, we had concerns about possible links to terrorism. But the more than four years of waiting and being investigated by The UN High Commission on Refugees, Homeland Security (once the family had been preliminarily been assigned to the US), then by mechanisms in place and working in behalf of all the VOLAGS (voluntary agencies like LIRS), this family cleared the fences of concern with room to spare. The Mom and Dad and oldest daughter speak English makes our job so much easier. The two little ones speak only Arabic at this point.

Will this family be the only family we help?

If God leads us to help resettle this family, and we believe He is doing just that, we may end up saying we could handle another case. Maybe it will be a Christian family from Darfur. But we don’t get to choose who God asks us to serve as our neighbor.  God does the choosing then says, “Take care of these children of mine.”

Lutheran World Relief serves Hindus, Muslims, Christians, atheists…doesn’t matter…if they are hungry…we make a witness by seeking to feed them. So with our outreach in Kissimmee known as H.O.M.E. We do not ask if a mom and her children are Christian or not…If they are homeless, afraid, or abused…we simply seek to serve them in the Savior’s name.

So, I hope this helps resolve some of the things you may have been wondering about.  Stay tuned for news of the family’s arrival, when we find out, we will be sure to let you know!

Great news!  Our first Starfish Family arrives this week!  I can tell you that it is a family of five:  dad, mom, and three daughters, ages 14, 7, and 4.  This hard-working family is from Baghdad, Iraq.  They became refugees when this kind-hearted father started providing medical supplies through a community-based organization to small villages throughout Iraq.  The fact that he was working in tandem with the United States aid organizations and the military was one thing and the family’s religious affiliation with the Muslim Sunni sect is another that caused many death threats against them.  They fled to neighboring Jordan where they waited for four years before getting through the clearance process to finally be resettled in the United States.  Mom is working on her college degree in Business Administration and completed some coursework before it was interrupted by their flight to Jordan.  Dad, Mom, and the eldest daughter all speak at least some English.

We are hard at work preparing the apartment for them, and will greet them at the airport this week with a small welcoming party including some young girls who will learn to say “hello” in Arabic as a welcoming gesture.  We will make sure the family has supper prepared for them when they arrive from the airport and settle them in to their apartment.  Then we will set up a series of activities that will get them oriented and get the paperwork processes started so they can get on their way to self-sufficiency.

Please remember this family in your daily prayers as they begin their life-changing journey, not only in a geographical sense, but in the entire range of emotions and stresses that accompany this huge transition for them.  It is beyond anything my imagination can conjure:  death threats, abandoning all I know and love except my immediate family, waiting literally years to determine my fate, moving to a country whose language is unfamiliar and where the religion is mostly Christian.  These are only a few of the questions swirling in the minds of our family…where will the children go to school?  Will we be safe?  What will we do?  How will we find work?  Will our neighbors be nice?  On top of that, missing everyone they know and being totally cut off from everything they’ve known. 

This is going to be an extremely tough time for them, and we need to give them every support we can, the least we can do is pray for them.

No, I have not given you their names or where we will locate them.  The reason for this is pretty simple:  there are still some people in this world who may not wish them well, and I will not reveal anything that could allow those elements access to them.  So if you’re interested then you know how to reach us to get additional information.

Dear Starfish Throwers, Leaders and Friends of Trinity:

Margaret Rocher has asked me a very critical question: “How long can our Starfish Family count on financial support, from whatever source?”

This is a very important question, so please read what follows:

The family is told by UNHCR in the camps, the State Department when the USA accepts a family from UNHCR, then by the national voluntary agencies (VOLAGS), in our case, LIRS and LSF, that they must prepare to be self sufficient before the end of six months following their arrival at Orlando International Airport. Even the airfare from wherever in the world they come to us, is given in the form of a loan that the family, over time, must repay.

All grants, of whatever source, end at the end of six months. Food stamps and medicaid end when their earned income renders them no longer eligible. Social Security to the elders in the family (if they qualify) would continue. Other forms of support, available to all of our citizens, may come into play with the refugee family, depending on circumstances we or they cannot foresee.

PLEASE NOTE THIS: OUR STARFISH TEAM and other members of Trinity must guard against making financial promises to the family or, behave in a way that the family comes to believe that they can depend on us to undergird them financially. Within reason, no financial gifts to the family beyond what is called for in their budget should be offered. Take the family to the movies. Of course. Take them out for ice cream. Of course. But no extraordinary offers of support.

We simply must make sure that the family knows that our support, while enthusiastic and genuine, has strict financial limitations. Our Starfish Team will be helping with the initial groceries and household goods. The call will soon go out to our members and friends to donate furniture and clothing once we know the culture and makeup of our family. Funds from Stepping Out of The Boat will help with the apartment and utility security deposits.

While our emotional and spiritual support has no limits, financial support from federal, state, county and church sources will strictly end.

NOW>>>please also note this…it is rare that a refugee family does NOT become self sufficient within the six month time frame. These are the most motivated people on the face of the earth. Language will be their biggest barrier (and, perhaps, how to make change on the bus!). But not their desire to take care of themselves as soon as possible.

Help them find jobs. Help them get to English classes. Help them with enrolling in Medicaid and Social Security. Help them learn the public transportation system. Help them learn the American banking systems (Lord, have mercy). Help them open a bank account. Help them learn how to write checks. Help their children enroll in school. Help them find and build a support community. Go shopping with them. Take them to a concert at our lakefront. Take them to the Science Center. Invite them to be our guests when Capital University’s Chapel Choir performs at Trinity in February. Invite their children and teenagers to do stuff with our children and teenagers. Pray for them. Ask them to pray for us.

None of these loving deeds have ANY limits. Just the money. And they will understand this from the outset.

God Bless you as you prepare your hearts to save a family’s life. Literally.

Fred

What a great training event we had on Monday, September 22! Excellent turnout. Superb resources. Wonderful spirit in the room. Fearless leaders (ahem).

Seven out of our thirty one star throwers could not make it to the meeting. All of them contacted me ahead of time regarding the conflicts that kept them from attending.

And, ALL of those said, “please make sure I get the information because I definitely want to help.”

Each team has now selected a Team Captain or contact person.

THOSE PERSONS ARE ASKED TO ATTEND A CAPTAINS MEETING at the home of Betty Malfatti at 6:30 on Monday, October 6. Betty will be sending you folks directions to her home.

I promise that this meeting will last no more than 1 Hour (plus fifteen minutes for Lutheran small talk) One Hour. Period!

Then we tell LIRS and LSF…”Please begin the process of sending us a family!”

Here is the latest word we got from Pastor Eli Hernandez of Lutheran Services, Florida:

Hello Everyone,

This is Pastor Eli Hernandez with Lutheran Services. I was informed today that the end of October possible November, we will be getting our first family, I am not sure of the details, but I will let you know as soon as I get them. Please pray for us; we were also informed that our case load is going to double with the New Year. Keep in mind that we will need to find as much donations as possible. We will also need to develop the connections with the apartment complex and storage unit.

Stay Blessed,

Pastor Eli Hernandez

It is here.  It is now.  Praise God!

On August 24 we had our first organizational meeting and it was really great!

Our ministry partner, Eli Hernandez of Lutheran Services of Florida (LSF) gave a talk about how LSF works, how it is related to the larger organization, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) and all that we can do as a congregation in sponsoring a refugee family.  Pastor Eli and his assistant Crystal are overwhelmed with work and it’s just the two of them.  The Starfish Ministry reached out and a number of people agreed to start working with LSF either in the LSF office or from their homes.  Thank the Lord for this generous spirit!

A number of people have signed up to help and identified the ministry teams of interest to them.  We have a great need because Pastor Eli mentioned that we could have a family very soon.

Results?  We have seven ministry teams ready to go.  One team has already started gathering clothing and furniture in anticipation of a refugee family’s arrival.  And we’re planning our first training session to get the teams together and let them know what they are going to do in more detail.  That meeting is planned for:

Monday, September 22, 2008
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Fellowship Hall

Please plan to join us if you can, we would love to have you on one of our teams.