Our purpose is to show God's love to our Afghan family who is displaced from their home country due to war and persecution. While the circumstances for our journeys are different, many in our church know the challenges that come with learning a new language, adapting to a new culture, and navigating life in a new place. We are in a unique place to steward the experiences and resources God has given us to minister to those who are now facing those challenges. As scripture tells us: "The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God" (Leviticus 19:34)

CBCGB is partnering with Ascentria to form a Neighborhood Support Team (NST) composed of 20-30 members to support 1 Afghan evacuee family in their transition to life in America. As of now, we have 36 members of both CM and CB signed up for various sub-committees. We will be financially supporting this family for their first year here, as well as supporting them in areas such as navigating the healthcare system, enrolling their children in school, learning English, finding employment, etc. so that they can eventually become self-sustaining.

You can read more about the responsibilities of an NST here.

We will partner with the family for at least the first year to help them transition and get settled in their new home and life in America. It is likely that it will take several years before they are fully independent. We plan to live life alongside them and assist them as they become self-sustaining.

"Evacuees" (or humanitarian parolees) are legally different from "refugees". Evacuee families do not have Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) and need to apply for asylum. In the meantime, they have no access to government aid.

For more information: https://www.migrationpolicy.org/news/afghan-evacuees-different-statuses-different-benefits

The Wolas Yar family has 6 members - father, mother, 3 daughters (ages 8, 6, 5), and 1 son (age 2). The father's younger brother was also assigned to our NST. We are supporting them as a family of 7.

Short Answer: We will have access to a translator.

Long Answer: This family does not speak English. Their home language is Pashto. There are other Afghan families at the Hope House who have graciously agreed to help us with translating for the first few weeks while the family is resting there. Eventually, when the family moves to more permanent housing in the Boston area, we hope to communicate with them via an official translator and translation apps (ex. Google Translate, Language Bank). We suggest you learn a few words and phrases that may be helpful to bridge the language gap with our new Afghan friends. For example, "Salaam" is the most common greeting! We intend to support them in their English language acquisition, as well as learn more about their language.

It will be a challenging journey, as many of us know. The adjustment won't be overnight and we hope to walk alongside them to provide whatever help they need. The Neighborhood Support Team (NST) is made up of a variety of sub-committees that will help with this process. Ex. Education, Healthcare, Employment, etc. We encourage you to volunteer to join a team that best matches your background, interests, and skills!

Definitely! You can work together as a group to organize fund raisers to raise money or to donate together. Many of the volunteer options can also be met through the collective efforts of a small group or fellowship group. For example an entire small group can volunteer to give rides! Or to volunteer to help set up their home! Or to volunteer to potentially provide other assistance if there's specialized expertise in your fellowship. See the volunteer section for more details!

ANM conversation/activity for parents and kids:

Materials: world map and Bible (links provided if you want to do this at the computer)

Prepare: attributes about your child(ren), your immigrant/2nd/3rd culture story

Discuss: Do you know that God sees you and that Jesus loves you? He knows ______ (fill in the blank: ea. physical attributes, birthday, talents, likes, dislikes.) (Optional read: a few verses or more from Psalm 139 NIRV. It is an easier translation.)

God sees and knows the kids and their parents/caretakers coming to Massachusetts who have come from Afghanistan. Jesus loves them too.

Share your own immigrant or second/third culture story. (World map to point out where your family came from and where Afghanistan is). How do you think they might feel coming to the United States? With just a couple duffel bags?

God has given our church an opportunity to love His children who might not know Him yet. What are ways you think we as a family or mom/dad/brother/sister or you can help? (Possible answers: pray together, $ from chores or piggy bank? You may want to think or a chore or two beforehand to start the idea juices flowing.)

Go and do it! If applicable, make the donation online together, fill out the form: take a picture and/or write a message we may send to the family, and pray together again. Give God the praise for what He has done and what He is going to do.

Activity Coordinator: Tina Liu