Life After Instant Pots: An Afghan Update
For the weary sleep-deprived new mother, nothing is more appreciated than having a few weeks of hot meals delivered, family around to hold and rock the crying baby or walk the jealous dog. These gifts of love are priceless and can end all too soon. For myself, I hit peak exhaustion at about eight weeks postpartum when my family went home and the meal train went to another station. Can you imagine weeks and months of this same attention and love continuing? What a blessing that would be!
Take this analogy and apply to the Afghan refugees we supplied with multi-cookers some eighteen months ago in their time of crisis, confusion, and exhaustion from their perilous evacuation to America. The hands and feet of Christ’s servants not only cared for them in those first couple of months, but have fulfilled this so-called new mom dream by remaining by their sides, meeting their ever-changing needs, and moving these asylum seekers towards US citizenship.
So much is going on in the Afghan community and it’s exciting to share updates with you. If you missed the opportunity to see the video from last summer, including interviews with recipients of the multi-cookers, please take a few minutes to watch. CLICK HERE
Fast-forward one year, and Samir, Mariam, and Mukhtar, who received the pots, are steadily moving towards stability. Samir is now working as a delivery driver, allowing him to have a more regular schedule to be home with his wife and three children. Mariam had a healthy baby girl and is working for Refugee Support Services, who provide post-settlement services for refugees. She works part time in their “Love and Learn” program, which focuses on early literacy skills and school readiness for parents and children. Mukhtar is working for a construction company in Rock Hill and is able to use his civil engineering skills. Praise God for their progress, aided by area Christian organizations.
Janet celebrates with the Afghan community.
Janet Martin continues to be heavily invested in these refugees’ journeys, particularly the women’s. They have allowed and welcomed her into their close-knit community and she has been granted such personal access into their lives, letting her truly know and love them. What a beautiful picture of having a servant’s heart she models for us.
Janet is a true advocate and has been creative in seeking resources. She posted a request for household supplies on Nextdoor, and God more than answered her prayers. She received a response from an older Iranian lady who fled the country in the late 1970s when the Shah was overthrown. Her interest was to donate, but also to meet some women who spoke her native tongue. Fay and her daughter rode along with Janet in January to visit some Afghans in Concord, for whom these dear ladies brought gifts. The conversation between them was enthusiastic! Fay also went along with Janet to another home of an expectant mother who had other children. Fay was concerned about the English literacy of the kids. She arranged with the mother to visit on Saturdays to tutor the children. Janet prays that her involvement to help the children assimilate will somehow expose her to the Gospel. Even Nextdoor can be used for Godly purposes.
Another response on Nextdoor came from Sheryl Chandler from Crossroads Church. She has a ministry called “Truth and Mercy” that provides baby supplies to women in need. She has helped throw eighteen showers for Afghan women having their first babies in the U.S. Some of the shower gifts, such as bassinets, car seats, and swings, were donated by generous StoneBridge people.
As encouraging as this is, hurdles are ahead for these asylum seekers. The men struggle with finding employment and are often in jobs for which they are overqualified. Women are behind in acquiring language skills and transportation is difficult for them with their young children in tow. Some men are receiving donated cars and already know how to drive, which is a blessing. Finances are strained, as rent for them is high. SNAP benefits have been reduced by one third to pre-pandemic levels and they no longer cover household goods, such as toilet paper and laundry detergent.
You can help! The following needs are critical. Please pray how you can show creative generosity to these people in need. Contact Janet Martin if you want to assist in any way, no matter how small.
Donations of diapers, CATS bus passes, Walmart gift cards, paper goods, laundry supplies
Mentors to assist the men in navigating buying a car, avoiding scams, securing insurance
Business leaders coaching to help with employment needs, finding jobs or mentoring them in the process
Tutors to help the women learn to drive
Transportation needs
Finally, please pray for these families who have been transported to America, leaving all they know and love behind. Also, be sure to check out and subscribe to StoneBridge’s refugee ministry on our website.
The Afghan community in Charlotte has prospered and flourished—despite many setbacks—because of Christ’s followers forging ahead and not leaving these families behind or assuming they have what they need. Purposefully place yourself to help in their lives or in another area of need when you sense his nudge and prompting.
Kelly Dockery
