Help Abbas and His Family Begin Their American Dream

14 Years in the Making: From Baghdad to America

Imagine going everyday fearing for your life, uncertain of your future, left praying for your family's safety through continued unrest…

That was Abbas' life every single day since the last time I saw him in Iraq 14 years ago. And today, I want to invite you to be a part of changing the future of his family forever…

The Love of America

I first met Abbas while working for the USO in Basra, Iraq. Abbas lived locally in Iraq, and came onto base each day to work in the USO building.

I could tell immediately there was something special about him. He was the same age as me, 24 at the time, but he was in charge of the entire Iraqi facilities crew, most of the men much older than him.

And he took the responsibility seriously, taking pride in the cleanliness and order of the building.

He also knew enough English to have conversations, and during breaks, we'd talk about the uncertainty of life, our futures, the war, all of it…

I'll never forget the day Abbas told me, "Eric, one day I will live in America."

He spoke those words with such conviction that not only did I believe he would accomplish his goal, I promised I would help however possible.

"One day, we'll sit down for a meal together at my table in the US." I promised.

Risking Everything for a Dream

Abbas didn't sit passively and hope for an opportunity. As part of his taking the job on a US military base, he knew he was putting himself at serious risk… If certain people in Iraq knew he was working for the United States, the reaction could be dire…

But part of his willingness to take such a risk was the potential to get a US Visa through a special program where the US helps those who have helped them in war-zones.

Since first learning about the US as a boy, he had always been impressed with everything he read about the US, the friendliness of the people, the cleanliness and order of the country...

If working for the US meant a chance to escape the dangers of war-torn Iraq and give his future family the opportunities of a new life in the US, it was a risk he was willing to take.

14 Years of Perseverance

By the time I left Basra, Abbas was just beginning the process of applying for a Visa, and things were truly looking up!

But as time went on, it seemed he would continually get his hopes dashed. Even though things were getting worse and the US had pulled out completely from the area, Abbas' visa process kept being stuck in limbo.

What I saw was how much of this process was politicized.

A visa would be nearly issued, then there would be a change in the winds politically one way or another, or a change of personnel in a department, and everything would be scrapped.

At one point, I was in contact with a governor's office over the course of months. They had taken up Abbas' case personally, and right at the last second, there was a very public policy shift, and even though it didn't relate to Abbas at all, it was better politically to simply abandon him.

But like I said, Abbas is special… He has more grit, determination and consistency than anyone I've ever known.

As the years turned into a decade, Abbas never lost sight of his dream, or of that promise our country made so long ago…

And while others would have simply given up at year 2 or 5 or 10… 14 years later, after so many ups and downs, built-up hopes and broken promises…

The visas were approved for Abbas and his family!

A Moment's Notice to Leave Everything Behind

But there was a problem…

"You need to go now, today, tomorrow if possible. If you don't, you won't have another chance at this." This was the message Abbas received from one of the amazing volunteers helping him.

Like so many times before, immigration, even legal immigration after a long, dutiful process like Abbas', was always on rocky ground. If he didn't get to the US soon, it may change, and that would be that.

The dream would be over, and there would be no other path in the future…

With a five-month old baby, three other beautiful children, and a wonderful wife, Abbas didn't know how he could leave without at least some notice. But there was no choice.

His own community blessed him with the money needed for five tickets from Iraq to the US, and within an hour, they were in his hand.

He didn't have time to say his goodbyes, his family didn't have time to pack, they needed to leave immediately.

So, like something out of a movie, they threw a few pieces of clothing for each family member in a couple bags and left the only home they had ever known.

Arriving in America: Challenges and Hope

The trip wasn't an easy one. Remember their two bags? One was lost. So they arrived in a new country with a single bag between them.

Along the way, their two youngest caught a very serious illness and when they arrived in Minneapolis, they ended up in the emergency room for hours, fearing for their children's lives.

However, even with these setbacks, Abbas was not disheartened. He trusted that his children's health would improve. He was brought this far with his family for a reason, and he knew their story would not end there.

So even during an absolute whirl-wind of a week, from finding out you will get your visa, to having to leave immediately with your whole family, to trying to help very sick children in a new country…

Abbas' spirit still shined through. The same one I saw some 14 years ago…

An amazing volunteer organization had lined up Abbas' transport from the airport and a week's temporary housing in Minneapolis. Walking up to his door the morning he arrived, it was a bit surreal…

To know he had worked so hard and so diligently on this dream, and here today it was real. When he answered the door, there he was, that same special person I'd met in Iraq. The years had changed us both, but his heart was the same.

A Promise Kept

A few days later, Abbas and his family came over to my house, and after 14 years, a promise was kept. We finally sat at my table and shared a meal together. That night, I watched with pride as our children ran and played, a day we both dreamed of.

But as much as I celebrate Abbas' accomplishment, I know this next chapter will not be an easy one.

Their Needs Right Now

He is starting over from nothing with a family of six to care for. Abbas is no stranger to hard things, and like the man of grit he is, he is already doing everything he can to secure work.

But this takes time. In the meantime, he needs to:

The support he has received so far has been such a blessing, and I believe our community can come together to help fill in the gaps and get his family on a firm foundation.

Abbas translated an interesting question from his wife to me, "Why do people help if they do not know us personally?"

I felt a certain pride when I explained that, now that you are in America, you are a part of our community…

And Americans WANT to help people in our community through tough times. Even if they don't know someone personally, they know what it's like to struggle…

And they find joy in being able to make a difference in a real person's life instead of just giving to a faceless organization.

You Can Make a REAL Difference Today

That's the opportunity you have today, to take a little bit of money and turn it into something more than a cup of coffee or an amazon purchase….

You can change a real family's life right now. It's like saying, "you are welcome here" in a tangible way.

Our Goal: $3,000 to help Abbas and his family with:

Longt-term housing

Basic furniture and household necessities

School supplies and children's needs

Emergency fund for medical costs

And literally every other expense of raising a family! Honestly, I would love to see us come together and raise more, but I truly believe even this modest amount would be life-changing in a way most of us cannot imagine.

Donate whatever you feel led to, and if you can, offer a word of encouragement or advice for Abbas and his family in your comments.

Any amount you can give will make a difference in helping Abbas' family build their new beginning.

If you cannot donate, please share this campaign with others who might be able to help!

Thank you for being part of welcoming this family to their new life in the USA!

-Eric

"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free..."