Afghan Refugees

Afghanistan Refugees

Find New Homes with Lutheran Social Services

By Katherine Ogden

On a cool crisp morning, right before Christmas, a few families from the Kimball East Stake gathered together in a Phoenix area apartment complex to lend a hand to some people that they had never met.

“We were so grateful for all our wonderful extended family who came and helped set up two apartments for four refugees who recently fled from Afghanistan,” says Sister

Photo courtesy of Nanette Brinton Updike Crew Goodman displaying his Welcome sign. Nanette Updike.

“One was for a man and his son, the second apartment was for two gentlemen. They all had helped our military servicemen get out of the country of

Afghanistan safely and now needed to be aided in leaving themselves, to ensure their own safety. Sixteen of us showed up to help show our gratitude for these men. It was an honor to return the favor back to them, to make sure they had a comfortable, safe place to go to.” “The apartments were actually partially furnished already. Initially, we thought we were going to help unload all the furniture, but half of the furniture was already unloaded off the truck. Two twin beds were in place, so we unwrapped all the new mattresses and put them on the beds. The bedding was provided as well as almost everything else that we needed,” shared Nanette. “Pillows were purchased at a nearby Target store, but pretty much everything else was already there, waiting to be unloaded. The apartments were

Dr. Paul R. Sandstrom

7448 E.Main St. | Mesa,AZ 85207 | 480.396.8684 | www.drsandstrom.com

Photo courtesy of Dana Shurtz Gary Shurtz assembling furniture for the apartment.

The Rudd Family after setting the apartment up. Photo courtesy of Tatum Rudd Rasmussen

We can help you improve your smile with the latest We can help you improve your smile with the latest in modern dentistry | crowns | veneers | implants in modern dentistry | crowns | veneers | implants American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry simple: twin beds, a small kitchen and a small bathroom with a closet nearby. There were boxes put together of food, soap and shampoo, everything they would need to live in that apartment. There were dried foods in the refrigerator and we were going to go buy some fresh food, but were told not to, as they were not coming as soon as we thought. I’m sure they were grateful for all they were given as we’d heard they had been living in refugee camps for a while. We were grateful to Lutheran Social Services for making all this possible. This was a way of showing them that there’s an entire community that supports them and wants them to feel welcome.”

“This was just one family’s experience,” says Dana Shurtz, a volunteer/ liaison with LSS-SW. “Since then we have set up approximately 10 more apartments. It’s so rewarding. Some families have made welcome signs and one family had their Afghan friend write them a letter in their own language.”

Since 1975, The Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest (LSS-SW) has served some of the world’s most persecuted people. Violence and armed conflict chase millions of people from their homes, their families, and their countries, forcing them to seek safety in other countries around the world. With volunteers and community Co-Sponsor Teams, LSS-SW builds self-reliant foundations for approximately 400 refugees each year. “Our work would not be possible without the support we receive from Co-Sponsor Teams, volunteers, donors, and advocates who answer the call to love thy neighbor.” says the LSS-SW team.

For more information on how to volunteer or to donate, contact Dana Shurtz at danalee.az@gmail.com or Charlotte Shurtz at cshurtz@lss-sw. org.