It hasn’t taken long to become involved in all sorts of interesting conversations – some educational, some inspiring, some challenging, and some very helpful for getting started with life and ministry in the Fort Morgan, Colorado, area. Here are a few highlights from the past week and a half.
Our small IAFR office is open four days a week for three hours in the afternoon, a strategic time between shifts at the local meatpacking plant. I’ve spent some time in the office, getting used to the flow of people coming in and figuring out how best to help as requests are made and conversations develop. Thus far, I have helped check immigrations statuses through government websites, looked at tax return issues, and chatted with a young Somali guy who is currently taking community college classes. He's a friendly guy, so I also asked him to help me start learning some basic Somali greetings.
Housing is arguably the biggest challenge in this area for those who don’t have a long, stable history here, and the topic leads to lots of conversations. I’ve become involved in helping organize a tenant training event designed for foreign-born residents, which will take place next month. I’ve joined a community group that regularly meets to discuss housing stability issues and work towards better systems and opportunities. There have also been many discussions where housing just spontaneously comes up. At a local event celebrating meat production, I sat at a table where I heard concerns from local housing owners who insisted that residents should learn to speak English and take better care of the rentals where they are living, concerns I completely understand but which seemed to be expressed without sensitivity to personal, work, and/or cultural challenges. It is tricky to think through the different perspectives and try to decide what is the best response.
One recent blessing and big answer to prayer has been finding a church we feel may become a great home church for our family. At the church, we have already had many encouraging conversations. Some people there have ties to Wycliffe Bible Translators, which is especially fun for Misha. Some are interested in having more connection with the diverse people of our town, but don’t often see their “neighbors” in the places where they normally go, at least not to the extent that there are easy interactions. Many seem very curious about why I’m here and want to be supportive.
Earlier this week I had a meeting in a local café. It was an appointment to talk with someone about housing, connecting with dairies in the area, and communicating with the church we are attending. Through the course of the two hours I was there, several people I knew came and went, and I met a few others - such pleasnt distractions while meeting in a small town café. It was fun to realize I’ve only been in the community for three weeks and already have random interactions with people I know and can greet by name!
I’m looking forward to many more conversations.
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