Mothers Day

Mothers Day was perfect this year.

Mostly because we spent time as a family and were invited to picnic with several other church families. This picnic was a special one though, because two of these church families were working with a Congolese Refugee family and this refugee family was able to participate in our picnic. The family escaped from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Kenya where they lived in tents for almost three years. After three years, they finally received security clearance to move to the United States. Upon moving here, it has been hard adjusting to a western way of life. Their children have had lots of medical problems as they get burnt by the oven, toaster, etc., they fall off beds, or downstairs and break bones, and get sick from the different consistency and types of foods and how they are prepared in the United States. It has been a real struggle for them to come here. And it frustrates me when people feel we should stop accepting refugees to seek asylum here. This family wants so, so badly to be able to speak English, but is struggling to learn on their own. They can't work because they don't speak English, they can't get around easily because they don't speak English, and even grocery shopping is a challenge because they don't speak English. So, for a family to invite them for a picnic must have meant so much to this family. But to make their Sunday even more special, we FaceTimed my Sister-in-law, who speaks Lingala (the same language that this family speaks fluently).  And for the first time the family relaxed, let loose, and asked her all the questions that they haven't been able to ask since moving here. They felt instantly connected in a world where they can't communicate with others. And thanks to my Sister-in-Law, this family now has her as a translator contact when they get into a situation where they need some serious help.

 

After the picnic, everyone decided to do a pick-up soccer game. Michal hurt his back and was so bummed that he wasn't able to really play. But every kid was in heaven playing soccer with their fathers right there beside them.

And while my kids were too small to really play soccer, they were in heaven with the older kids that were there to play with them. Especially Marco. I don't know why Marco has taken such a special liking to Addie, but he adores this girl and loves when she holds him. He even loves it more than when Mommy or Daddy hold him. I'm pretty sure that if Addie were twelve years old she would be babysitting for me every weekend. 

It was definitely a very, very unique Mothers Day - but I wouldn't have had it any other way.