Dear Friends and Donors,
Most of you know the countries we serve in along with our projects for the children but occasionally there is a need that comes along we are very led by God to serve also. In January, my daughter Carly and her husband Benton, along with some good friends found this special need and brought it to friends and family. We would like to pass this need for prayers and financial support to AVC’s friends and donors also.
Here is the second letter with updates from Carly:
Several weeks ago, I wrote to you about a family of Afghan refugees that I wanted to help – two sisters who came to the states in late August with three children on a US evacuation flight. That email was the start of an incredible outpouring of generosity and a transformational journey of friendship amidst a humanitarian crisis.
We achieved our initial goal of paying for their diapers and wipes for the next year. Thank you! We also had enough extra funds to help with groceries and support translation fees.
However, as is often the case, life isn’t as cut and dry as we expect it to be. The truth is that our government support, local health and other resources are far from adequate. NGOs are underfunded and overrun with the crisis in Afghanistan. These sisters are living in a foreign land with minimal language skills, no money, 6 kids in the house (including three premature infants) and are struggling with the trauma of their evacuation. Their needs are significant. Despite their circumstances, they are full of joy and love. They have tugged on the hearts of more than a few and several of us have quickly formed a rag tag crew of volunteers to provide ongoing support and friendship.
We’ve accomplished a lot in the last few months: Asylum cases have been filed. The three older children have started school and are enjoying meeting friends and learning English. The moms have enrolled in English classes as well. Everyone has seen the doctor and they’re catching up on vaccines, etc. Home maintenance issues have been taken off their plates thanks to a handy volunteer. Their material needs have mostly been met. We’ve connected with a non- profit group on the ground in Kabul who helped us move their husbands and 15-month-old daughter to a safe house. We’ve filed Humanitarian Parole cases for their husbands and started reaching out to government leaders to advocate for their approval. We’ve become family. Our children have become friends and we’ve shared countless hours and many meals getting to know each other.
The sisters arrived in Seattle in November but left their hearts in Afghanistan with their husbands, a daughter, and other family members. We have had some success in supporting family in Kabul but there is a long road to go there. These men are in real danger. Living in a safe house is a first step but we know that the best and possibly only chance for their survival is to get them out of Afghanistan as quickly as possible. We are renewing our focus on their extradition from the country which is a challenging prospect, financially and politically.
To help these families find their footing means we are raising money to support evacuation efforts for the men from Afghanistan (approximately $8,000), provide English tutors for the children (about $500/month), mental health support (about $1,000/month), legal fees (!) and lots of interpretation (about $1,000/month, Google Translate only gets you so far!). We are also raising money to offset housing costs after July 2022 when their current lease expires.
Elsie and Ainsley (Carly’s daughters) with Babies
Osman, Beheshta and Omar
Thanks for your support and prayers! Please keep them coming as we impact this world with the love and light of Christ.
Hope, Love, Grace & Joy be yours through Christ,
Cameron