| Updates:
On Friday,
11/1/2002, Enver, Bukurije, and their family were given a warm and
wonderful welcome to their new Kentucky home! Greeted by
Pastor David and an entourage of 2nd Pres members at the airport,
the family was taken to their new home where a delicious meal was
waiting for them. Thanks to the moving crew provided by Mike
Ward and company from Walnut Hill, the kitchen items from Beaumont
Presbyterian, miscellaneous household items from Christ the King and
the immeasurable donations of time, energy, landscaping,
furnishings, furniture and funding from members of Second, a
beautiful home also awaited the family.
The family has
indeed arrived in the land of the free but their journey toward
independence and self sufficiency has only begun. Your help
will continue to be needed for grocery shopping, mentoring, doctors
and dentists visits, school registration, and job interviews just to
start. Please contact Jean Jerauld, Joyce DeAeth or Evelyn
Kramer (873-4700) to volunteer!
A special thank you to Holly, youth group advisors and youth
group, Carolyn Long, Julia and Gary Leslie, Betsy Strong and Joyce
DeAeth for their assistance in sorting clothing for the family or
assisting the family in clothing choices. To everyone who has
donated new or used clothing, thank you; the response has been
overwhelming, very generous and wonderful! At this time, other
than the 2-3T boys clothing, we do not need clothing for our family.
The Enver Demiri family’s celebration of their first American
Thanksgiving Day was filled with time to be thankful for many
things . . . the sponsorship of their family and the ongoing
relationship that they have with many new friends at Second, the
beautiful, warm home, the fact that all their children, but their
baby boy, Lulzim, are now attending school (AND enjoying attending
school) and that the parents are able to live close to most of their
siblings.
The Refugee/Resettlement Sub-Committee is also thankful for the
wonderful support that has been offered by the congregation, both in
time and monetary donations. Initial doctor visits have been
completed and school registrations are in place; ESL classes for the
parents have begun and volunteers are needed every Monday and
Wednesday evening to transport to and from class.
We know that in all actuality, our work with the family has just
scratched the tip of the iceberg . . . follow-up doctor
appointments, initial vision and dental appointments, continued
financial support for rent and utilities, tutoring, and mentoring of
the family will be needed for much longer. If you would like to
assist with any of these areas, please contact Joyce De’Aeth,
Jean Jerauld, or Evelyn Kramer.
As of last week, the Demiri family committed to being a part of
the Match Grant Program which will offer financial support
for the next several months. It is essential that if you assist with
the family in anyway (time or monetary donations), you keep accurate
records (including receipts) and using the forms that are posted on
the Demiri Bulletin Board in the Church Dining Room — turn this
information into the Refugee/Resettlement mailbox located in the
church office by the 25th of each month. Your time and monies
spent on the family, as of 12/1/02, will be matched by a federal
program and will benefit our family and Kentucky Refugee Ministries.
We request your prayers for the Demiri family and for all
those who work with the family, giving us His guidance and wisdom in
the decisions that are made.
WANTED: Willing volunteers to transport members of the
Demiri family to destinations currently unknown; you will be given
final instructions, as well as a set of directions ... places to
drive may include the dentist, the doctor, or ESL classes. Qualifications
Needed: A valid driver's license, an automobile that runs, the
patience of Job, and the willingness to do God's work. If
interested, please contact Ross or Joyce DeAeth at your earliest
convenience.
The Demiri Family have weathered their first 90 days in the U.S.
thanks to the generosity and support of so many at Second. ESL
classes and tutoring sessions continue as to the many trips to the
dentists and doctors. Those continuing to assist with tutoring and
transportation, thank you for your perseverance! |