Holy Cross 
A Blessing
"Remember to show hospitality. There are some who, by so doing, have entertained angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13
Over the past six months, we have been blessed, welcoming Buza and her four wonderful children into our parish family. From the time they landed at ILM, feeling exhausted and apprehensive, until the morning we waited at the Greyhound Bus Terminal, sending them on the long journey to Buza's sister in Utah, they were enveloped in love.
So many parishioners made this possible, from the initial training session with IRM, to furnishing their apartment, providing meals and clothing, taking them to Social Service, medical appointments, bringing them to church, school events, shopping, day trips, supplementing the ESL programs by after school tutoring, enrolling the children in Soccer and the Dreams programs, to making sure that in all but one of the bus transfers, someone would be there to make sure that all went smoothly. During their three day journey, we all worried about them, until the jubilant call from George, the fourteen year old, saying that they had safely arrived in Utah, and been met by Buza's sister.
The prayer of St. Francis tells us that it is in giving that we receive. Buza and her family deeply blessed us with their spirit of joy. It was wonderful to see the children's happiness, the way they shared with and cared for each other, and appreciated everything. What courage it took for Buza, who had been in a refugee camp since she was six years old, to come to a new land, not knowing the language or customs, with so much responsibility. She is a courageous and good lady. We thank God for her, Joy, George, Morisi and Zawadi, and pray that God will continue to abundantly bless this very special family.