Alright. So, bear with me as this may be an extremely long post since I have been negligent in my writing lately. Work has continued to teach and mold me. Since my last post I have been able to interact with the refugees on a more regular basis. One thing I have done with them was going to a food distribution put on by the Food Bank. Almost all of the refugees are on Food Stamps, and the offices all across Texas are about two months behind on processing applications. This causes a delay in our clients getting food which makes things difficult for us and more importantly them. Most of them barely make enough money to pay their rent and utilities, and buying food without Food Stamps can be a real stretch, or impossible, for some of them. About a month or so ago, the Food Bank organized a food giveaway for the refugees. I was able to go with my boss and take my camera. It was the first time I had seen so many of our clients at once and all the different nationalities together. I enjoyed photographing them and talking to some of the ones I knew. Even though I didn’t contribute in getting them the food, it was still rewarding to see them receive it. You could see how thankful, and desperate, some were for the food.
I have been able to attend several of the Job Readiness classes that our program offers. These are some of my favorite times. These classes cover everything from personal hygiene to job and interview skills to saving money in the grocery store. The latter of these was taught in one of the local grocery stores close to the refugees apartments. We took the class one week and broke them up into smaller groups at the store. There were volunteers and interpreters with each group to take them around the store and teach them things such as comparing prices of different brands, price per pound vs. price per item, how to use the pharmacy, how to check your blood pressure, and what different items were for. Apparently some of them get paper towels mixed up with toilet paper, and as you can imagine causes problems in the bathroom.
Two weeks ago, one of the caseworkers had a family of ten coming in from Iraq. I was able to go with him to the airport to pick up the family and take them to their new apartment. Since I only work with refugees that have been here six months or longer I was excited about getting to see a newly arriving family. Their plane arrived early and they were waiting with all their luggage by the time we arrived. I stayed with them in the passenger pickup area while the caseworker went to get the van in the parking lot. One of the girls knew how to ask me what my name was and we were able to figure out, after some discussion with her sisters, how old she was. I think I was about as intrigued by them as they were me. They were very quiet the whole way to their apartment. Once we arrived, they spread through the three bedroom apartment and investigated every inch of it. Even though I couldn’t communicate with them, it was good to be able to watch their reactions to their new home and life.
As much as I love being with the clients, there is a constant battle in my heart between aching and rejoicing for them. There are some days where I have to hold back tears as I hear about struggling families and see the hardship on their faces. Then there are other days where we hear about one of them getting a job. Those are the days that keep all of us going and make this job worthwhile.
Even though I have been able to do some fun things outside the office with the clients, the majority of my time is spent inside working in a cubicle from 8-5. This is something that has been really hard for me to get used to. I’m still not used to it. I don’t think I have ever been inside for so long in the same place every day. So far I have already learned that whatever profession I choose will need to be something that will allow me to be in and out of the office. Probably more out than in. I do feel like I am learning some good job skills though and am learning how to work in a professional office atmosphere. This was something I was unfamiliar with since most of my jobs have involved children and swimming lessons or camp.
I still love my church here and am starting to form stronger relationships with the members. When my Dad, aunt, and grandmother came a few weeks ago, I saw again how friendly and welcoming the congregation is. As the months have passed I have grown to love the small, intimate environment. I feel so connected to the church and many of the members who are now like family. They have taken such great care of us. I can already tell that it will be extremely difficult to leave them at the end of the year.
If anyone has extra blankets that are in good shape lying around your house and wants a good home for them, you can send them to me!! The weather is starting to get cold here and the refugees really need blankets. E-mail me if you feel so inclined: graceguyton@gmail.com. I hope that everyone is well and had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am really looking forward to being home for Christmas and hope that I can get to spend time with many of you.
Much love, Grace










