We were able to meet with an immigration attorney this past Friday with Innocent. This attorney lives in our neighborhood and is in our home ward. We are told that she is the best immigration attorney in the state so we feel lucky and blessed that she is willing to help Innocent.
She had agreed to take his asylum case to the next step at no charge. Innocent and I have a meeting with her on Friday February 5th to help her further understand his situation and how we can enhance his case with further evidence of cruelty from his captures. When Innocent was imprisoned in Congo a tracking devise was implanted in his left arm so he could be tracked. The attorney wants to have an x-ray taken to be able to show the judge of the danger he was in and is in if he returns.
Inner-City Missionaries have numerous resources available to them. One is a network of doctors who are willing to offer services at no charge or at a very reduced rate. I have reached out to the "gate keeper" as he is called of the doctors and am waiting to hear back if an x-ray can be arranged.
Innocent has now decided to stay in the US and work at bringing his family here when he can. The main key to that is to have Political Asylum granted. The attorney said that it will take a very long time (years) but Innocent is willing to wait and work towards that.
Barbara and I are continually humbled by Innocent's faith and patience. It is truly a pleasure and blessing to work and associate with him.
Monday, January 25, 2016
Friday, January 15, 2016
Trials in Life
We know that trials make us better and are a part of this mortal existence.
Two of our families are experiencing trials that are testing their faith.
Alicia just told us that Ivan contracted head lice from the day care he goes to. They had to shave his heads in order to treat it. What makes it more challenging is that Ivan sleeps with Alicia and she came down with them. She obviously does not want to cut her hair off so she is trying to treat the lice. What a process! She also has had to wash all their bedding and clothes, etc. Alicia seems to just go from one challenge to another. If you will remember she was evicted from your previous apartment due to bed bugs and now head lice. So far no bed bugs in her new place.
Innocent has told us to pray for his family in Africa. He has been trying to send them money each month to keep is children in school. If they are not in school then the threat of the military and other social influences face them. Because Innocent has not been work steadily he has not been able to send money and therefore his children are not able to go to school. Public schools in Africa carry a fee. He is concerned that his children will become subject to social influences of drugs, gangs, etc. because they are not focused on schooling and the controlled environment that brings.
Please prayer for both Alicia and Innocent! They need our support. Both have fragile testimonies and need the spirit to comfort them.
Two of our families are experiencing trials that are testing their faith.
Alicia just told us that Ivan contracted head lice from the day care he goes to. They had to shave his heads in order to treat it. What makes it more challenging is that Ivan sleeps with Alicia and she came down with them. She obviously does not want to cut her hair off so she is trying to treat the lice. What a process! She also has had to wash all their bedding and clothes, etc. Alicia seems to just go from one challenge to another. If you will remember she was evicted from your previous apartment due to bed bugs and now head lice. So far no bed bugs in her new place.
Innocent has told us to pray for his family in Africa. He has been trying to send them money each month to keep is children in school. If they are not in school then the threat of the military and other social influences face them. Because Innocent has not been work steadily he has not been able to send money and therefore his children are not able to go to school. Public schools in Africa carry a fee. He is concerned that his children will become subject to social influences of drugs, gangs, etc. because they are not focused on schooling and the controlled environment that brings.
Please prayer for both Alicia and Innocent! They need our support. Both have fragile testimonies and need the spirit to comfort them.
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Special Experience
As frustrating as a Church Service Missionary can be in the Inner-City Mission there are wonderful experiences that keep us coming back.
Innocent, our African Refugee, has been a member of the church for only a few months and has received a Limited-use Temple Recommend. We took him to the Salt Lake Temple last night for our weekly FHE activity to perform baptisms for family names on Barbara's side of the family. I was able to baptize him and Barbara as well as perform the confirmations. I was also baptized for 3 family members on the Romney side. Imagine that, we still have some family members who have not received their saving ordinances. What a special experience that was to be in the temple with Innocent.
We are finding that many things we take for granted as life-time members of the church are new and overwhelming at times for new converts. For example, when Innocent received his Limited-use Recommend and went with the ward previously, in preparation to go last night, I asked to make sure he brings his recommend. He said he could not find it and seemed to act as if he needed a new one for each time he goes. So we scrambled on Tuesday night to get him and the Bishop together to received a new one. He did not fully understand that it is good for a year and can be reused. We feel he simply threw it away. He now understands he needs to keep it and should have it on his possession at all times. What we have learned and know due to a life-time of membership and teaching from parents, teachers, and leaders Innocent is just beginning to try to understand from an adults perspective. So many questions and we feel honored and blessed to have the opportunity to help answer them.
Innocent, our African Refugee, has been a member of the church for only a few months and has received a Limited-use Temple Recommend. We took him to the Salt Lake Temple last night for our weekly FHE activity to perform baptisms for family names on Barbara's side of the family. I was able to baptize him and Barbara as well as perform the confirmations. I was also baptized for 3 family members on the Romney side. Imagine that, we still have some family members who have not received their saving ordinances. What a special experience that was to be in the temple with Innocent.
We are finding that many things we take for granted as life-time members of the church are new and overwhelming at times for new converts. For example, when Innocent received his Limited-use Recommend and went with the ward previously, in preparation to go last night, I asked to make sure he brings his recommend. He said he could not find it and seemed to act as if he needed a new one for each time he goes. So we scrambled on Tuesday night to get him and the Bishop together to received a new one. He did not fully understand that it is good for a year and can be reused. We feel he simply threw it away. He now understands he needs to keep it and should have it on his possession at all times. What we have learned and know due to a life-time of membership and teaching from parents, teachers, and leaders Innocent is just beginning to try to understand from an adults perspective. So many questions and we feel honored and blessed to have the opportunity to help answer them.
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