This is an update from Matthew 25 Ambassador Linda Butler on the Afghan refugee families who have settled in Birmingham and are being supported by SHPC members through Inspiritus.
Gul Bakht, Nasir, Omid, and Arman Akbary are so appreciative of the opportunity to build a life in Birmingham. Omid (second grade) and Arman (kindergarten) continue to thrive at Hall Kent Elementary in Homewood. Arman gets sad when there is a holiday or weather event and he doesn’t get to go to school. Their big news is that the family is looking forward to welcoming a baby boy in July.
A Culture Fest was held at Trinity Methodist West in September where Gul Bakht and other friends from our English class served delicious food from their home country. What a treat for attendees to sample cuisine from all over the world.
Melinda Hardin, Joey Miller, and I continue to be committed to the ESL program every Monday evening at Trinity Methodist West . It is a joy to see these students work diligently to learn the language and progress towards fluency. Gul Bakht’s English continues to improve even though she faces the extra challenge of not having had the opportunity to become literate in her first language. She was encouraged a couple of months ago when she was asked to translate for a new refugee family.
All of our friends enjoyed gathering for a Christmas party with our own South Highland musicians, Melinda and Gary Hardin,
Thank you for your continued generous support of the Akbarys and all the kindness you have shown them.
In Christ,
Linda Butler