Fresh Start in a New Place

Sandra and Joey came into our lives when we were living and serving in Venezuela. Sandra lived with our family and became our ‘third daughter.’ We (and a number of you!) helped put her through university. Joey played in the church praise band and had a passion for missions. After we left Venezuela in 2008, they got together...got married...and had their son, Derek.

While they worked very hard, there was no getting ahead in life for them. Last year, inflation in Venezuela ran over 400%. That's not a typo. While they tried to make a life and build a home, every step forward was met with two steps backward. Finally, in 2022 they determined that the only way they could get ahead would be to leave and start fresh somewhere else.

After we started talking with them last year, the US Customs & Immigration Services offered a "parole" program for people in Venezuela. If Sandra and Joey could find a sponsoring family--someone to provide their travel to the US, provide housing, food, and everything they needed while they awaited work visas--they could come to the US. We agreed to sponsor their family, and Sandra, Joey and Derek (age 7) finally arrived on Thursday, April 6th, 2023. Since then, they have been living with us (including our adult children in the area) and our family has been providing for their needs.

After arriving, Sandra and Joey both got their academic transcripts validated—Sandra has a Bachelors's in Psychology and Joey is a master chef! Sandra jumped into English classes and is speaking more and more every day. Joey (already fluent in English) has helped with our youth at church and is already playing in the praise band. Derek has attended every VBS in the area this summer, and he can’t wait to start 2nd grade this fall. They and we have done all we can to ease them into life in America.

After a four-month wait, their work visas/paperwork finally came through this week--you can't even imagine how happy they were to receive the news!! Now, they can get jobs...and they are ready to step out on their own. Now, we need your help to get them through this next step of their journey.

With $8000, we can help them find a car (if you have one to donate, let us know!), provide the security deposits for their apartment, help them get work-specific clothes they may need, help them set up their apartment, and give them a fresh start for their family. (If we can do this in two weeks, Derek won’t have to change schools!)

Will you please help us to help Sandra, Joey, and Derek to have a fresh start in this new place?