Help Welcome a Persecuted Christian Family
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Dear Friends,
Are you looking to make your Christmas more meaningful? As we contemplate the Holy Family – with no roof over their heads – journeying with Mary 9 months pregnant, we can imagine their Christmas felt stressful and bleak.
We recently made friends with Aman and Arooj and their family. They have 2 small children and a tiny 4 month-old-baby. After being harassed and persecuted for their Christian faith, to the point of nearly being murdered, they fled Pakistan and came to the United States with visas and nothing but a few suitcases of clothes.
They are here legally, with 5 year visas as they await their official hearing for asylum, at which point they would qualify for public assistance but that could take at least a year and most likely longer.
The husband was a banker, but here he is starting over at entry level, barely making enough to cover the cost of rent (much less health insurance, groceries, and a needed car).
They have been living in temporary accommodations, but that ends on January 1st. They have looked and looked for an apartment but they can only (almost) afford a 1 bedroom and no apartment complex will allow a family of 5 to live in a one bedroom. They will also need a car so that the father can get to and from his two jobs.
This is our Holy Family this year and, unmistakably, we feel God is calling us to help them!
We hope to raise enough money to help them (this year) to meet their monthly rent in a two bedroom apartment, to help with their living expenses (groceries, clothing, doctors) and to obtain a used car that will help them get to and from work .
Know that I am not only doing this to help them - but to help me!
I was inspired by a quote from The Better Part, by Father John Bartunek-- “The heart of this adventure (the Christian life) consists in following Christ’s example of self-giving, of emptying ourselves, of putting ourselves at the service of Christ and our neighbors. When it becomes our way of life, this Christian charity, this giving away our tunics and sharing our food, leads us to discover the meaning and joy that Christ came to give, which only experience can describe.”
It’s that last part I seek --“the meaning and joy that Christ came to give.” If you are seeking that too, as we approach Christmas, we can think of no better opportunity than to help welcome this persecuted Christian family and help them get on their feet - with a roof over their head where they can live in peace!
Thank you and God bless your generous heart!
Jacqueline & Greg
Are you looking to make your Christmas more meaningful? As we contemplate the Holy Family – with no roof over their heads – journeying with Mary 9 months pregnant, we can imagine their Christmas felt stressful and bleak.
We recently made friends with Aman and Arooj and their family. They have 2 small children and a tiny 4 month-old-baby. After being harassed and persecuted for their Christian faith, to the point of nearly being murdered, they fled Pakistan and came to the United States with visas and nothing but a few suitcases of clothes.
They are here legally, with 5 year visas as they await their official hearing for asylum, at which point they would qualify for public assistance but that could take at least a year and most likely longer.
The husband was a banker, but here he is starting over at entry level, barely making enough to cover the cost of rent (much less health insurance, groceries, and a needed car).
They have been living in temporary accommodations, but that ends on January 1st. They have looked and looked for an apartment but they can only (almost) afford a 1 bedroom and no apartment complex will allow a family of 5 to live in a one bedroom. They will also need a car so that the father can get to and from his two jobs.
This is our Holy Family this year and, unmistakably, we feel God is calling us to help them!
We hope to raise enough money to help them (this year) to meet their monthly rent in a two bedroom apartment, to help with their living expenses (groceries, clothing, doctors) and to obtain a used car that will help them get to and from work .
Know that I am not only doing this to help them - but to help me!
I was inspired by a quote from The Better Part, by Father John Bartunek-- “The heart of this adventure (the Christian life) consists in following Christ’s example of self-giving, of emptying ourselves, of putting ourselves at the service of Christ and our neighbors. When it becomes our way of life, this Christian charity, this giving away our tunics and sharing our food, leads us to discover the meaning and joy that Christ came to give, which only experience can describe.”
It’s that last part I seek --“the meaning and joy that Christ came to give.” If you are seeking that too, as we approach Christmas, we can think of no better opportunity than to help welcome this persecuted Christian family and help them get on their feet - with a roof over their head where they can live in peace!
Thank you and God bless your generous heart!
Jacqueline & Greg
Organizer and beneficiary
Jacqueline Halbig Von Schleppenbach
Organizer
Alexandria, VA
Aman K Kotak
Beneficiary