Categories: Archives 2022, Mission & Social Justice

Four Church Support

When the Afghan government collapsed and the Taliban seized power in August 2021, the US airlifted thousands of vulnerable Afghans and their families to the United States. Many came to Santa Fe, and we are helping them.

One of those families was the Ibrahimis, a family of 8, including 6 children.  The Ibrahimi family was especially vulnerable because the dad was in the Afghan military and volunteered to serve with American forces as they fought against the Taliban. The family did not speak English when they arrived in the U.S., so their support needs have been great.

Four area churches have come together to serve as a co-sponsor team for the family.  The churches include:

  • Westminster Presbyterian Church, Santa Fe
  • First Presbyterian Church, Santa Fe
  • White Rock Presbyterian Church
  • White Rock United Methodist Church

The congregations of these churches together raised funds to help resettle the family, and church volunteers are helping the Ibrahimis integrate into our community.  The volunteers have given many hours of their time to:

  • Move the family into a rental apartment and furnish it completely
  • Tutor the parents and children in English and all school subjects
  • Serve as liaisons to school administrators and teachers to address unmet needs
  • Find and purchase a vehicle for the family and help the father get a driver’s license
  • Help find a good job in a safe environment for the father of the family
  • Coordinate medical and dental appointments for the family
  • Provide transportation to numerous cultural enrichment events and appointments in Santa Fe and Albuquerque
  • Mentor the family on financial issues
  • Assist with immigration requirements
  • Become friends with the family

These are just some of the many support actions our church volunteers have performed over the last 9 months.  No single congregation could have supplied enough funds or volunteers to help a family of this size with such need.  Instead, God has provided a unique opportunity for our church partnership to help the Ibrahimis settle into a new country, one in which the five Ibrahimi girls can attend school for the first time and choose any profession they wish as they grow into adults.  Praise God for that and for the many hands across four churches who have welcomed this family.

-Jennifer Lasley, Chair of Mission Dei, Westminster Presbterian Church

If you would like to volunteer to help, contact Judy Crawford, Mission and Social Justice Committee, First Presbyterian Church.

 

 

 

Gale Wright