Champa Rai and I visited for a long time with Rati Gurung, who is a widow with four children. Very sad situation as she has no english skills, no understanding of her appliances, hygiene, cleaning supplies, dangers of leaving food out to spoil, and on and on. Champa did some intense interpreting for me as we instructed on how to clean the bathroom, kitchen, floors, fridge...everything. Tried to explain the fridge/freezer concepts. They have no meat at all, don't really know how to shop. Had meat upon arrival, but it was in the freezer and they didn't know why it got hard and didn't know what to do with it when it was hard. I guess they threw it out. Sink was full of dirty dishes with lots of food mixed in, bucket of black water and a mop was stashed in a closet. They have two towels between them and two washrags. Tried to explain food poisoning in our hot climate. Gave her lots of soaps and cleansers, five washcloths, Helen B. is delivering towels on Tuesday. Rati has not been food shopping....she sends eldest son. She agreed to learn on Sunday after church with Champa and me. Like many others, they had trashed computer parts the boys had found in the "dust bin"/ dumpster. A lot of our friends regularly dumpster dive. So sad.

The Thomas apartments are the worst I've seen for our friends. Pray that Catholic Social Services will move this sweet family to a better location. This mom needs a mentor with lots of time. Any ideas?

Carla

Hi all,
Just a quick run down of Tika's household supplies.....so we all know where to spend our resources, if we choose:

Bath soap bars: 12-15 (girls didn't know these were for bathing)
body wash: 1 bottle
shampoo: 4-6 bottles
toothpaste: 10 tubes
toothbrushes: 10
dishsoap: 1 gallon
laundry soap: 3-4 gallons
toilet paper: 24 rolls
men's deodorant: 3
women's deodorant: 4
men's razors: 6
womens' razors: 6 (though the girls don't shave...yet)
rice: 100 pounds

Much of this was from the initial set-up that oversupplied them but they'll use it eventually.

UNKNOWN: housecleaning supplies (Carol Langley said a gallon container that I previously thought was laundry soap was actually cleaning liquid, so they should be okay)

Will routinely need feminine hygiene items, monthly bus pass for Tika, single day use passes for Kamala for doctor appointments, DES appointments, etc. Could use a better clothes drying rack.......all the families need these actually. Girls would like swim suits.

Still not convinced Kamala NEEDS a black pair of pants, as she has two, though one is casual. Gave her a donated pair of khaki tan pants yesterday. I am concerned with the push to find jobs in the hotel industry since we are entering the off-season and there will be lay-offs.

Gave the family a computer desk that was donated. Set up the computer in the master bedroom, but they need a desk lamp.

Begged them to turn on the AC, as it was 95 degrees nad 90% humidity in their apartment last night. I think they were afraid I was going to pass out, so they finally opened the doors and let me get the AC running. Kamala was convinced that hot air was coming out of the intake register, so I showed them how it actually works. If you all visit any families who have ceiling fans, make sure the fan is circulating air downwards; the little switch on the side of the housing changes the direction of the blades and thus the flow of the air. Well, we all probably know that, but they don't. They have a very nice circulating fan they rescued from the dumpster. Kamala used some ingenuity to make two fans into one nice one!

The bed in the front room might often be used by guests, like the young Rizal boy from Thomas who roams the streets every day he can. he sleeps there every Saturday night.

Tika was actually BEAMING last night because Dr. Purna had come to "sit" with them in his house! He was very proud to have had several guests, but especially the doctor.

Other families: gave most all the families who attended yesterday some combination of hygiene items, toilet paper, soap, etc. Am going to the Gurung family today with substantial amount. She is a widow with 5 kids, poor english skills, with Catholic Social Services, very sparce supplies. All of the items yesterday came from the Trinity Women's Bible Study collection; all the items I"m delivering today as well. When it's gone it's gone, but it is sure filling a tremendous need.

I have a donated computer..........was thinking Bhattarai family since Krisna is such a huge help with translation and Carol Brady seems to have an ongoing relationship. What do you all think and could someone set it up and check it out before it's delivered?

Tika needs a ride on March 31 to an appointment on 57th Ave and Thunderbird....to be there by 7:45. I can't do it.........any takers?

Uma needs two teeth "thrown out" but ran into an insurance snag. Purna also needs work but insurance approved. I told them about the tooth fairy; in Nepal, they cover the tooth in mud and throw it on top of the hut to insure the incoming teeth grow straight. I like the tooth fairy better! But it makes sense now to "throw out" a tooth!

Thank you all for every little or big bit you play in this great unfolding drama!! Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!! Please continue to pray for other Trinity folks to catch the vision, have patience, extend grace and come alongside individual families. We really need a "family to family" mentoring program!!

Thanks to Stan, Iris, Vilma and Duane for jumping in and helping with transportation with no fanfare, just flexibility!!!
Carla

Please forward this after reading, to as many Trinity folks as possible..

We need your help! Trinity has a thriving refugee outreach ministry, so much so that there are more people who want to attend church than there are cars to transport them to TBC and home again. If you have an extra 30 minutes before or after church, or both, then please consider helping us pick up refugee families and/or take them home after church. Even if you can only do one trip, it would be a huge help. These sweet people are willing and eager to come to church....the only barrier is transportation. We have three main complexes where we have friends who need rides:
1) 19th Ave and Camelback
2) 23rd Ave north of Indian School
3) 19th Ave and Glendale

We have several children who love attending as well, and need to make sure we honor them by getting them in car seats. We have some car seats/boosters, but we need more cars so there is room for all.

Please pray about how God might have you sacrifice some time to reach this mission field by driving one way or the other on Sundays. It will be so appreciated!! Please call me if you can help us bring the mission field to Trinity's front door...........
Carla Truman

We had an extra couch so it was delivered to the family at the Pines in b219...don't know their name, but since their living room was empty figured it was needed! Also gave them soap, toilet paper, toothpaste and toothbrushes. They said they didn't know how to use the food EBT card so I told them to ask other families. Thanks to Emery and Frankie Brown for finding that freebie!

Will deliver to the Bhattarai's at Glenrosa a small coffee table, thanks to craigslist....tomorrow. I will continue to fill out donation forms.

Today was a great success and a lot of fun for all of the women involved!! I think we'll do it again sometime! 20 Trinity women and 30 or so refugee women and children, with some men looking on from the outside, gathered for manicures, pedicures and food at the Pines.

I committed to going to the library on Montebello with anyone who is interested...on Friday March 20 at 10 am. I didn't offer rides, just offered to meet anyone there and get library cards and learn how to use the library. Several ladies said they would come.

FYI: the Bhattarai apartment B149 was unlocked when we arrived today. Apparently maintenance didn't lock it. Nothing was taken so God apparently posted an angel there!


Carla

Hello all,
Quick update on the apartment for Bhattarai family.....
1. Kitchen is something Martha Stewart (Stuart?) would be proud of ....
2. Bath necessities are all terrific and fully stocked. Just need directions attached to each hygiene item!
3. Have one double bed for parents, one double sleeper sofa for adult brothers, one bunk bed with twin on top and full on bottom for kids and/or adult sister, and one other twin for ??? The families are going to reorganize once they are all here so they'll figure out who sleeps where but for now, upon arrival, they all have a clean bed and pillow.
4. Have couch and two easy chairs, full dinette set for four, though pray that I can find the one missing chair wheel. Beautiful coffee table that will be the envy of the neighborhood, one side table, one lamp that is yet to be tested and needs a shade.
5. I furnished the closet with an assortment of clean clothes for both genders, variety of sizes. All free........out of the storage treasure.
6. Lawn chairs for their back "yard".....4.
7. Wondering if someone could rig a clothes line in the back...???
8. Got a 16 cup rice cooker but wondering if they come bigger?? Can a crock pot cook rice okay?
9. Other Nepali ladies are helping me today to clean floors and finish making beds.

10. Praise God for HIS remarkable provisions....I've never seen an apartment furnished on so few dollars!!!

Carla

Had a scary hour last night....Chandra Nepal called me and said that Champa had gone missing. She'd gone to Scottsdale on a job lead and no one had seen her since 10 am and her phone was not responding. I called Pastor Jeff Jackson to alert him since he knows them well, then went down to C-back. Champa arrived about two minutes before I did..at 9:30 pm. I heard her whole story but still don't know exactly what happened other than she got lost and/or the job lead (a private nanny job) took advantage of her and had her work all day. Not sure. But was so relieved she was safe. Her parents were crying, everyone was understandably distressed. I was about to call you to put our team on prayer alert but wanted to see in person what was going on....whew.

Dear Carla, My name is Stan Petree, I am a member of Single Minded at Trinity Bible Church. An email was sent out by Carol Langley and Iris Hedrick. I would be able to help transport some of the Bhutan/Nepal immigrants at any of the locations. Only problem, I have a very small car, room for one adult and two small people for the back seat. I know that most of these people are short and small, so maybe my car would be fine. Anyway, You line it up and let me know what you need me to do and what time on Sunday. I do not have child seats, and they would not fit in my back seat, so no small children in car seats for me. Thank you for your service to aid these people of God. Also, I am in charge of Special Ministries in Single Minded, we would be interested in getting involved in supporting these immigrants with food stuffs, and clothing, etc. We have been involved with First Southern Baptist Church with there Berundi immigrants for the past year. We would love to work something out, so that our donations could go to help our Bhutan/Nepal Refugees. Let me know, if you need reference to who I am, just call Carol L. or Iris H. Thank you, and God is in Control, Stan Petree 480-203-2237

Camelback:
I visited Kafley family at the Pines. They have plenty of furniture...fully loaded house and huge tv. Not sure what she meant, Helen, that she said they have no furniture. Maybe they have no furnishings, like towels, soaps, etc.??? I have soap to take to them tomorrow, as well as toilet paper. I took clothes for the kids and some used toys...all of which came out of the storage unit that Billie Scott ( Amanda Dalton's mother) gave us to use for refugees. The two kids were there with three cousins, and they got sooooo excited with the few toys....Thanks be to God I took numerous toys, not just two. whew....could'a been ugly! I also put in a few used handtowels/kitchen towels. She was very disappointed you were not with me, Helen, and had difficulty understanding that you work more than full time.

This was a good example of the importance of checking out a family's status before planning on gifting them with anything, not that we had planned but we were definitely concerned.

I also gave a small bag of used boys clothes to the Das grandparents for the 8 year old.
Woodbridge (19th and Glendale):
Visited with the Christian family at Woodbridge...I struggle to remember their names! Gave them the table I'd promised them last week and a lamp. Then visited the NEW Adhikari famiy at Woodbridge M252....all want to come to church ..family of 5. These are some relative of Kamala's. not related to Glenrosa Adhikari. Gave them a lamp and a few bars of soap I happened to have in the car and some bath and hand towels. They have a couch and dining table and beds. I have 2 tv's, for both Woodbridge families, IF the tv's work...I haven't had time to check them out. Tika said they have only a change of clothes each so I will deliver some used clothes to them tomorrow.

Most of this "stuff" has come out of the storage units, run through the Truman Laundry, and out the door!!! FREE!!!!

I have NOT given away the third DVD player since I figured we need to be very intentional with where these DVD players go. My personal opinion is for those families who share their resources and will share the DVD as a resource. Maybe something to talk about at our next meeting.

Tika went with me and is such an outreach pro not to mention how he handles so well putting off tea at every household!!! He talked to Mr. Adhikari about coming to church so we can pray for him....Mr. A. has many injuries from the torture he suffered in Bhutan. I thought that was so touching, Mike, that your practical yet deep lesson was already being shared to others and taken to heart!!

Also, something Mike...you might want to alert the planning committee to.....everyone is excited to come to the "picnic" on the 15th. We need to be sensitve to the real purpose of that event and figure out how to fit in our new friends appropriately. To continue to win over Trinity family members to join in our ministry, we need to think ahead about how to prevent (I don't know the right word...) the chaos and noise that often accompanies our friends, when/if the Trinity family has the presentation time for the Benadoms. I don't mean to offend anyone with my suggestion, but just to be direct and think ahead so please forgive me if I am mis-stating something.

Glen Rosa: I talked to Donna Buckles at LSS, and she agreed the remaining Bhattrai family should go to the Pines,with the hope that Gopal's household could move up there eventually. Gopal is considering that his parents should live at Camelback so they are happier having friends and more support. I told Donna about Mr. B's anxiety condition, lack of sleep, ER visit, etc. Gopal will be encouraged by some support from his other siblings. Mon needs to start job search. ...not sure where she stands on that.

Carol Brady has a folding wheelchair that she is giving to Mr. Adhikar!!!! Wooo hoooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He was very relieved because he feels so bad about how hard it is (isn't really) to deal with the other chairs. Yea God!!

Last but not least, the ladies' Wednesday morning Bible study has taken interest on helping us and our friends. They are collecting soaps, etc. AND they are arranging to do simple manicures on Wed. March 11 at the Pines, for primarily our Nepali community friends. They hope to give away a manicure kit to lots of women.....but will need lots of stuff so if you know anyone who could help let me know....

Congratulations again, Mike and Julie and now counting the days to the wedding!! Hang in there!!

FYI: I took Shadikshya to the nursery and stayed with her.......she was fine, after she cried all the way over there and gave me every dirty look she could summon (seriously!). I know how to say "I'm sorry" in Nepalese, so that helped a bit but not much. I've talked to Chandra about doing this but she won't let her cry and leave her. So I had told her that I'd be willing to stay with Shadikshya to get used to the nursery. It's GOOD for her so she can be around other children and be exposed to some toys, and get used to being OK while mom is gone. She was enthralled with the other kids...she needs to be there so if I kidnap her again you'll know why! Chandra may be working every Sunday, like she was yesterday.

Seema, Roma, and Kehm all seemed very happy in Miss Carol's class. Now Miss Carol is going to have to recruit more helpers! What a great problem to have!!!!!

Carla

Sunday mornings a quite an operation now. We are shuttling over 20 people in personal cars and vans on Sunday mornings.

This week we started a dedicated Sunday School class to combine the study of the Gospel of Mark and English. There was a dramtaic response when we explained that we were doing this class because sometimes we talk too fast. Everyone agreed enthusiastically.

This week wee studied Mark 1:1-11. We introduced the concepts of prophet, forgiveness, baptism, heart preparation, and the Trinity. English lesson included the "th" sound in "the" and the "z" sound of "s" in words like Jesus.



To make this class more effective, we will need help.

1) Treats coordinator.
2) Secretary to track attendance, document skill levels, manage resources.
3) Mentors at each table to help with assignments and give individual attention.
4) Designated translator
5) Curriclum aid to prepare work sheets

Next week's lesson is Mark 1:9-20. The themes will be Satan, temptation, the gospel of the kingdom, repentance, faith, and becoming a fisher of men.

Mike spoke incorrectly in a email I read today. I counted 37 Nepal friends in the room speaking to Pastor Harka. Elvern has already left with five members of the Battarai family. That makes a minimum of 42 Nepal Friends in attendance.

Carol Brady is so excited about helping Mon. She spent most of yesterday on the phone exploring all available resources she could connect with. This afternoon she took Mon all by herself out to explore some thirft stores. When Elvern saw Mon yesterday morning while patiently (??) waiting for Mom, Dad and Gopel he said that he noticed a definite change in Mon's spirit. I am taking Mom, Mon and Dawn to Metro Center Thursday after work. We will meet Carol there. I may told you this earlier but they only have been to Frys and Chinese Market (?), I will bring them home about 6:00 and return to the meeting at church.

Some of you may have noticed that I spent about an hour with Mon during the Super Bowl sharing information about the following:
ESL classes at Rio Salado near Carol's house
Arizona Women's Education and Employment AWEE resources - again located near Carol's house
Adult Education GED - benefit of learning English and speaking English in academic environment
AZ Paraprofessional Teacher certification requirements - she previously taught 6th grade
Great Arizona Teach In scheduled for April 16th- I am taking Gopel. Mon, Sophella and her husband

In addition the Sophella and husband and the nurses needed information about transcripted college credit. The women who want to be nurses live at Camelback and 19th Ave

Mike please place transportation on the agenda. We need to develop a plan for Sunday transportation. Elvern and I made the southern pickup and return home at least six times on Sunday and I know Carla made at least two trips. In addition there is a carload of friends from 19th and Camelback who will be needing rides on Sunday. There will be 12 B and A family members needed rides at 23rd ave and Glenrosa.

Elvern just bought the laundromat at 51st Ave and Thunderbird. He is currently working 16 hour days so he will not be available to transport during the week for 4-6 weeks.

This ministry could become full time job. Praise God for all these opportunities to witness the love of Jesus!
Helen

A lot of last week's energy went into the Super Bowl Party. I expected about 20 Nepalis to attend. We ended up with about 40! Carla, Helen, Elvern, and I provided bus service to make this happen. Ganga helped to round up a crowd from her neighborhood.

Pastor Harka from Jesus Ministries International - Nepal was a tremendous blessing. This is his website: http://jminepal.org/index.html He was a great host and provided a gospel presentation DVD in Nepali. When people were bored with the game, he invited them to hear updates from Nepal and counseled them in how to adjust to life in the U.S.

I went home very tired but also very satisfied (except for the final score).

Thank you all for such a great meeting yesterday, though we missed a few people. Today I went down to the Bhattaria's and delivered to them the things we rescued out of storage on Saturday....clothes, bedding........all washed and clean. There were some really nice things in the bags that they really needed! Plus I had been given lots of young men's clothing so passed that on for Krishna and Gopal. I also delivered some hygiene and housecleaning supplies and some new pillows I got for pennies on a clearance rack. I asked them to store them for their coming family members if they didn't need them immediately. I visited with Gopal and Mon for about 20 minutes. Their mother was present but didn't talk. Living next door to them is an Iraqi family, and coincidentally, a visitor of theirs was a man I met through my Iraqi friends on Indian School and 28th Street. We visited briefly. Gopal later told me that his impression of the Iraqi's is that they were/are rich and only came here to be safe, and that they have many complaints. He contrasted them against the Nepalis who have suffered for 18-20 years with nothing, little opportunities, little education. I took a risk of challenging him a little bit, while agreeing with him somewhat since my Iraqi friend Thaer has also said some of the Iraqi's are "spoiled", but said that all of us have a story, and many people suffer in many different ways. I told him how Thaer lost everything he ever owned and that his friends were assassinated in Iraq. I told him a bit about Billy and how he has suffered all of his life with physical disabilities and how his mother abandoned and neglected him. But I also said that all of us can be grateful to God for everything He has provided and really emphasized how it may be very hard to be grateful at times, we must all look to God for providing for us and helping us through the suffering. I don't know what the Lord had in mind for the conversation really, but it flowed naturally and was a good sharing time. On a different topic, Gopal said his mother has some serious health issues, apparently had had an intestinal obstruction at some point in the past, and has severe consequences of that. Since intestinal health is my second major (due to Billy's story) I offered to go with him to her doctor appointment to help them understand more of what can be done to help her. He said they are having a difficult time adjusting but he feels like his brother and sisters are doing okay. Mon looked sad and didn't take part though I think she understood some. Gopal started his job at the airport tonight at 9:30 pm. It will take him about an hour to get to/from work. Tika told me that Gopal and family would like to move more centrally because it is hard for them to go to the store or to work, since they are not on a bus line directly. They have asked LSS to place them together with their family members who are coming in 2 months. The two high schoolers go to Central High.

Later today I stopped by the A. family to have Tika sign the camp forms (he signed one side, not the other) again and to get the medical info required since Uma will need to take her medication with her. I also gave them the list of what to take/not take to the youth retreat. Apparently this is NOT a rustic camp setting, so I think they'll be fine with the layers of clothes they have, in addition to Carol's gloves and stuff. I found some sweatshirts for Durga, Krishna and Dhan. Tika and I agreed he needs to get that cash deposited ASAP so we will do that tomorrow. I hope this is okay with the team, but I did put on Tika the expectation that he would send $10 with each girl. Zack, the youth pastor, told me that they will stop for dinner on the way there and back and each kid needs money for that meal. They have the money and it's important that they have some ownership/investment in the trip. Tika agreed without hesitation. They also agreed to take the girls shopping for snacks for the trip. Tika asked me again if it's dangerous for them to go to camp in the mountains. I asked the girls if they've ever in their lives been separated from their mom for even one night.....they never have! So this is a big deal for all of them that they spend a weekend away!

Hi all,
I heard the chicken dinner lunch yesterday was great, and everyone had a good time. What awesome gracious hospitality, Helen and Elvern, that you could accomodate such a large group on such short notice. I think Mr. Bhattaria thought he was going to stay with me in the van instead of getting dropped off....when he couldn't get his door open he resorted to climbing over the seat to the middle row so he could exit the sliding door!

I checked with Tika re: his employee handbook, and he had read it over. I covered a few key items like dress code, time cards, lunch breaks, etc. He seemed to understand. His plan is to leave the apartment at 4 pm and catch the bus eastbound on Dunlap, get off on 23rd and walk south. I told him that the handbook discourages loitering around the job site so encouraged him to wait across the street until 4:50 pm. He continues to be concerned with paying taxes. It just occurred to me that he may think he has to pay taxes himself, not realizing it comes right out.


Carol, both Tika and Kamala are very eager to start working with you....well, for Kamala to start working with you. They both want her to have the 1:1 time....Tika said "I am very happy for Kamala to learn with Carol".

Ganga said she has more families arriving this week and they can use the few pieces of furniture that are awaiting us in the storage facility. Does anyone have access to a truck and some strong backs? There are some Nepali men who are willing to help but we still need a truck.

We have a meeting this Sunday, 1/25/09 at 12:15 in room 203.

Tika took home the flyers re: Super Bowl party on Feb. 1 but I think we'll need to do some contacting with the other families as well.

Take care all!

Carla

I want to share some experiences I've had with the Iraqi families on the east side of town. Theirs is a very different experience and adjustment than what we see with our wonderful Acharya family. There are 7 or 8 families, all but two are Muslim, and there is one household of two single ladies I have yet to meet. The main family I am in contact with uses the last name Rahman, though his given name is Hussein. The wife's last name is different also. They have a 12 year old son who just started 7th grade. Since every district in Arizona does things differently, I wasn't surprised but I am disappointed to learn that their son doesn't have much ESL time during the school day. Last weekend I helped him with his homework, two pages, all in english, totally meaningless to him about a topic that really doesn't matter at this point. I'm afraid the father might have put on his registration forms that their primary language at home is english, which would really mess up getting ESL help. I've been told that happens frequently because families want their households to become english-speaking but don't realize then they cut themselves out of ESL services. Something I'll look into later. This family and the others are very hospitable and gracious toward me and Billy, and always offering food and/or drink. I just read in WORLD magazine about how critical it is to slow down and "take tea" as this is a significant relationship building time, and especially if there is ever to be any evangelism which could take years for the Muslim families. The families do not network like a few of our Nepali families do. The Acharya house is grand central station most days, but these families really keep to themselves more. I've been reminded that there is a big difference between coming out of a war zone and coming out of a refugee camp like Nepal.

Interestingly, there are two "Christian" households, and I still have not figured out what sect of Christianity one is. The other is a household of a mom and her 10 year old rascally son (he proudly told me all of his spanish words.....all cuss words....on our very first meeting!). She is a devout Christian she said and said she prays to Jesus every day, all day. She attends a Catholic church nearby. She is completely ostracized by the Iraqis there, ALL of them, even my friends the Rahmans. None of them will speak to her or have anything to do with her, including the other Christian family. I am trying to figure out the complex Arab/Muslim/tribal relationships, and now wondering if it goes back to the old "Scarlet Letter"! Since she is here with her son, and her husband/his father is alive and well, maybe they have made her an outcast because she separated from her husband? She is very distraught over the dynamics but she seems like a strong woman and she has other friends from her church and a "mentor" from LSS to help. She speaks english very well. Unfortunately, she is also very sick with some kind of liver disease. She nearly lost her son to wonderful Az CPS before CPS was convinced she wasn't a derelict mother but actually just had arrived in America and was truly ill. So her first few months here have been extremely distressing for her. She can't work due to health issues and doesn't know who will pay her rent month to month.

Some of the other families are receiving financial support from relatives who are already established within the US, most in Michigan. Some of these people had houses, cars, computers, lots of luxuries.....so for some it has been difficult to move here and have nothing. They do remind themselves of the fact that they are safer here. My friends have described in much more detail than I wanted to hear about the assassinations, bombings, fighting that they witnessed or saw after the fact. This Christian lady lost her first husband and all her brothers in the Iran/Iraq war, and Mr. Rahman served a long time in the same war. He and his wife both have Bachelors degrees in Economics and Accounting but are losing sleep every night over whether or not they'll be allowed to stay in the US without good jobs. These families don't have any church sponsors; I think the case managers are probably doing their best, but this family of three arrived to an empty apartment with just two beds. Now through TBC families (and the craigslist FREE postings!) they have at least enough beds, a few pieces of furniture and something to sit on! They received the food card in December, but received only enough for two weeks. It was supposed to be recharged on 1/5, still hasn't so this family had run out of food. Last week George Mann gave me a Fry's card for them to get through the week. By the weekend all they had to eat was bread and oranges. Yesterday I took them some canned food and meat and cash for milk and veggies, after trying to take them shopping on Saturday but the father wouldn't go. His pride got in the way of his stomach. Even as of today their food card is not recharged. My mother's church has provided a food box that I"ll be delivering tomorrow. They have been promised food boxes since last week but no one has delivered. Both parents have lost weight since arriving. She rarely leaves the apartment, and immediately puts on her head covering if a man visits. They have so many appointments, just like our family has had, but they don't have a team around them to help them get around, and often he doesn't have bus tickets, and no one else to take them. You can imagine the stress. He has a great background in warehousing, supply lines, computer inventory, etc. so we were able to assemble a good resume and I told him about Costco, Sams Club and some other similar businesses. I've told him the "squeaky wheel gets the grease" at LSS, so I hope he calls the job developer every single day. On my visits to LSS there are so many immigrants just millling around. I assume they are waiting on something, maybe a training, a ride or something. I am very curious what their job placement rate is. I am hoping it's astounding. If anyone has any church contacts on the east side, perhaps we could recruit a team for LSS for this Iraqi community? If you know of anyone, let me know. They are at 28th Street and Indian School.

Tika and I worked on a "template" application, one that he will keep to refer to for other applications. He has an orange expandable file folder with this in it, if you take him to any jobs. He filled out a real app. for janitorial work with the company that contracts at Metrocenter. He dropped it off at the mall office today. The company does a once/week pickup of their mail, so it may be a while before he hears from them. I asked him to work on the same application for Kamala tonight. I rehearsed with him what to say when he is called for an interview, and explained that he can't be picky about times, shifts, etc. He understood. Telephone skills would be another skill set to add to the long list, just so at least he can receive an employer's phone call and be able to make an appointment. He is planning on going to DES tomorrow morning for bus passes. He called his LSS job developer and left a message, and said he will call him every day. Ganga has written scripts for him to use on phone calls, which is very wise. Kamala and I cleaned out their fridge a bit and I showed her how to use the cleaning spray on the bottom shelf which was pretty dirty. I spied in on the bathroom; it seemed okay. She showed resourcefulness in using an empty shower soap bottle for her dishsoap so the large jug doesn't have to be on the counter. Tika said they finally got the phone card to work and Kamala was able to talk to family for an hour.....she cried and cried, he said. But they were both happy to finally get through!

From: ganga neupane


Dear Kathy,
I have asked Tika to go to the school and inform Purnaʼs and Umaʼs teacher,
girls have their appointment for 1.15.09 at 2pm.
Or
May be we can also call their teacher (Im sure girls have the phone no for
school)

Job developer for Tika and Kamala is Abraham Reech, he can be contacted at
602-248-4400 ext 205
Today we went to job office to pick up monthly bus passes for Tika and Kamla ,
but no better luck they have to go again tomorrow or the following day, by that
time bus passes will be ready. Each month until they are with the job program
they will get monthly bus passes (Tika and Kamala). We then went to MVD but
office is closed Sunday and Monday
Good thing is they were able to ride valley metro bus.


Sincerely
Ganga

The Acharya Family is now on ACCCHS (Mercy Care Health Insurance). I will be working with Tika and Ganga to find a PCP and new dentist close to the apartment.

Ganga writes that the cash assistance they receive will go on their EBT card (Food Card) not into their account with LSS. The financial workout is as follows:
Rent $772.00
LSS pays 513.00
Tika pays 259.00 from EBT card (cash)
The apartment complex may not accept cash so he may need to get a money order or open up a bank account in order to write a check.

This is probably something we should discuss at the meeting on Thursday.

Thanks, Kathy

Carla wrote:

Primary Care Physician has already been assigned and is on 43rd Ave, south of Northern. AHCCCS assigned them to Dr. Kevin Cleary. Tika and Kamala both have appointments on 1/22/09 at 2:40 pm. The girls don't have to have "new patient appointments" but can wait until there is a specific need. Tika has some personal health issues he is anxious to get help with so this is good there is no more of a delay.

Kamala and Uma are now on long term treatment through Maricopa Health Center. They each received two prescriptions. We discussed the meds, the side effects to be aware of and when the best time to take would be (per dr. order's). Will provide one of our extra pill splitters tomorrow as Uma's supposed to take half of a small pill. It was tough to split. They received the pills two days ago but had not started taking any because they weren't sure of the directions.

Tara received another shot today. Next one due Feb. 13. Tika is taking shot record to the school tomorrow to keep them updated, as they requested. Tara starts an after school program tomorrow so she'll be busy most days until 4 pm then she rides home with the other kids who are also in the program.

Tomorrow I am taking Tika to turn in apps for possible jobs. Already picked up applications.
Keep in mind that the Indian School/51st Ave. DMV is closed on Mondays, as Tika found out today.

Carla

Team:
There are several items of news:
1. Not sure if all of you are aware that Frankie Brown broke her wrist over the weekend. It is in a cast. I spoke with Emery on Sun. and she was resting comfortably.
2. Carol will be picking up Tika and Uma and Purna for their eye Dr. appt. on Thursday at 2:00 pm.
3. Tika gave me the phone number for the Bhattrai family on Sunday and asked that I contact them. When I called Bhophal, the elder son, this morning he said that his mother and father are feeling somewhat isolated and wondered if we could bring them to church. I said of course and asked if the rest of the family would like to come and he said yes. There is a need for transportation for 6 on Sunday. If we need to split this between 2 cars I'm willing to do that. They live on 23rd Ave. and Glenrosa. I told him I would call him back on Friday to let him know what arrangements have been made. Please let me know if you want to volunteer for this.
4. I will take Tika to MVD when I go and we can take care of business together. It will most likely be one day next week. I will follow up on the exact day later.
Thanks, Kathy

Ann Wrote:

This morning I took Tika and Kamala to Penney's to exchange the pants and shirt she got for Christmas. It went well, she was able to get the same thing in a smaller, and petite size. It looked like the pant legs were still a little long but the next size was too small. I asked if she would be able to hem them and she said "yes" but I'm not sure she understood. I don't know if they had ever been in a department store before. Tika said that it was a "Big" store!
Ann