Refugee Family to Waynesboro
Update on the Mmeswa/Madawa Family December 22, 2022
The Madawa/Mmeswa family continues to be busy learning to create a home and a life in America. The children are thriving in school, Jules and Phiston are working steadily at Virginia Panel, Jules is working to pass the test for obtaining a learner’s permit to drive, Masoka (and Happy) attend English classes at home online and are making good progress. Learning about bill paying and comparison shopping and American traditions and practices keep them (and the Welcome Team) on their toes! They learned about Thanksgiving and are now deep into learning about our various Christmas traditions. While they come from a Christian background they have not had the experiences of Christmas trees and lots of lights and all that goes with our particular ways to celebrate the birth of Jesus – as well as all the secular ways that Christmas is celebrated in America. The Welcome Team decided to introduce some of these traditions carefully so that we don’t overwhelm the family, so we did not ask the congregations to provide Christmas gifts. We did make sure that they have a Christmas tree that fits into their small living room; and the children learned to decorate ornaments for the tree. The Team members also provided some additional ornaments for the tree as well as a child-friendly wooden nativity scene. The children have participated in the children’s Christmas pageant at our partner church, Westminster Presbyterian. See some pictures of the angels and a shepherd and Caesar at the end of this message. |
The main gift we are providing them is to take some of the funds you all have generously donated and pay one month’s rent for them – giving them a little flexibility for this time when bills can be higher and perhaps enabling them to find some gifts for each other.
Many, many thanks to each of you who have kept the family and the Welcome Team in prayer, as well as your generous donations of gift cards, school snacks, clothing, and your time and welcome with this wonderful family as they attend our worship services and negotiate life in Waynesboro. We are blessed to be a blessing – and blessed by their presence among us! |
Update on the Mmeswa/Madawa Family
So much excitement for the M family these days! School began on the 9th and Masoka had all four of the school-aged children dressed and ready to go when our Welcome Team arrived at 6:45 am to help them learn the way to the bus. Three of them are now in school at William Perry and Mapendo is in Headstart at Wayne Hills.
We’re happy to report that everyone came home smiling at the end of the first day and they continue to do well! Their bus drivers brag on how good they are on the bus.
The littlest member of the family also hit a huge milestone this week. Happy had previously taken a step here and there but this week she began walking everywhere…all over the place…like she’d been doing it her whole life.
The team is also trying to get the 2 younger boys and Phiston into soccer leagues and we’ve found spaces for them. Transportation is our biggest need at this point. If you can help with driving them to practices and matches, please contact Ed Crawford. We need to have a transportation schedule in place before we register them so that we can ensure we have the resources needed for their participation.
Let’s acknowledge that the M Family is Our Family now. They have been with us for more than 3 months and Church World Service plays less of a role after the 3-month mark. We’re growing together and learning a lot from each other. We’re learning about life in a refugee camp and about the culture of the Congolese people. Our family is learning about a new lifestyle that includes working for and managing money, a new language, strange new foods and challenges with finding familiar foods, school in America, and the list goes on and on. They have opened their home to us and have graciously accepted us being constantly in and out of their home and involved in the most personal aspects of their lives. We rejoice that God has allowed us to be a part of their lives. Please keep Our Family in your prayers.
So much excitement for the M family these days! School began on the 9th and Masoka had all four of the school-aged children dressed and ready to go when our Welcome Team arrived at 6:45 am to help them learn the way to the bus. Three of them are now in school at William Perry and Mapendo is in Headstart at Wayne Hills.
We’re happy to report that everyone came home smiling at the end of the first day and they continue to do well! Their bus drivers brag on how good they are on the bus.
The littlest member of the family also hit a huge milestone this week. Happy had previously taken a step here and there but this week she began walking everywhere…all over the place…like she’d been doing it her whole life.
The team is also trying to get the 2 younger boys and Phiston into soccer leagues and we’ve found spaces for them. Transportation is our biggest need at this point. If you can help with driving them to practices and matches, please contact Ed Crawford. We need to have a transportation schedule in place before we register them so that we can ensure we have the resources needed for their participation.
Let’s acknowledge that the M Family is Our Family now. They have been with us for more than 3 months and Church World Service plays less of a role after the 3-month mark. We’re growing together and learning a lot from each other. We’re learning about life in a refugee camp and about the culture of the Congolese people. Our family is learning about a new lifestyle that includes working for and managing money, a new language, strange new foods and challenges with finding familiar foods, school in America, and the list goes on and on. They have opened their home to us and have graciously accepted us being constantly in and out of their home and involved in the most personal aspects of their lives. We rejoice that God has allowed us to be a part of their lives. Please keep Our Family in your prayers.
Monday, May 1st, Westminster Presbyterian and Grace Lutheran moved in a family of eight, who had travelled 48 hours straight to fly from their refugee camp in Tanzania, through Qatar, all the way to Washington D.C., then to Harrisonburg on April 27th.
A crew from both congregations did a lot of work to provide a welcoming home for the family. Thanks to all who donated items, and helped to arrange and clean the house, getting it ready for their arrival. Check out the photos below.
A crew from both congregations did a lot of work to provide a welcoming home for the family. Thanks to all who donated items, and helped to arrange and clean the house, getting it ready for their arrival. Check out the photos below.