It sounds like that should have been the end of the difficulties.  From the perspective of the two families this has been a major relief.  There are no quarrels, no ongoing relationship problems.  Fantastic!

But there is a problem with “the System,” in this case, one small part of public assistance…

Since refugees families arrive with no income we immediately apply for a food card.  This card, like older food stamps, provides the family with a credit for some of their groceries each month.  This helps keep their expenses under control while we search for employment.

(For those who read this and say, “see refugee resettlement does raise my taxes,” slow down.  Yes, we use this benefit.  Please keep in mind that within a few months, most of our refugees are off of assistance and are paying taxes like the rest of us.  They are net contributors into the system, not a burden upon the system.  Part of the reason we can achieve such great results is that some assistance is available when they first arrive.)

Anyway, back to the story… With this two-family resettlement we learned an interesting thing about food assistance.  When the question was raised, “do they eat together?” we answered yes.  After all, they shared the same house.  Well, an affirmative answer meant they would get a single food card.  Ooh, big mistake.  (In retrospect we understand they didn’t even like each other so there’s no way they were eating together.  They weren’t even sharing food.)

So a single food card for two families created some of the tension they experienced while sharing the same house.  “So and so spent too much money on that.”  “I want my own card.”  “How come he gets to carry the card and I don’t?”  Blah, blah, blah…

Nearly two months ago the families separated.  It sounds like it should be a simple task to get two food cards.  But, it is not.

Initially when the first family moved out, we took them grocery shopping to use up “their share” of the food card, stocking their shelves.  It was the middle of the October and they would not get a new card until the beginning of November. 

Then November arrived, still only a single food card, rechared for two families.  Now we had to share it.  We packed up the family living near us, drove them to the family living 25 miles away, and took them all grocery shopping.

But since it is a new month, the single vs. two card scenario could be worked out, by those state employees who work out such issues.

Fast forward to early December.  The original food card is replenished with about half the original amount.  This represents the assistance for the family that moved to Milwaukee.  At least they could just continue using the old card.  That allows one family to eat.  We just had to get the card into the hands of the right family.

The bigger problem arose with the family that stayed in Waukesha.  Apparently, though the process was slow, the notice of the new card was mailed, and then followed up shortly by the mailing of the card.  But by the end of the first week of December it had not arrived.  And there was no one to question, because all associated state employees were, apparently, out of the office.

Then early this week, voice contact was once again established!  We learned that the card had, indeed, been mailed.  BUT, since forwarding a food card to a new address is somehow illegal, the postal service returned it to sender.  (What, no one ever moves?)

The card was therefore cancelled, and no one was notified.  Nice, huh? 

So we start the process once again.  It’s now the end of the second week in December and our family does not have their food assistance yet.  Their cash is low.  Our team’s funds are gone.  We’re relying on individual donations at the moment.

We’ve learned a lot with this particular resettlement case.  After a number of very successful resettlements, this double case has been more than double effort.  At first it seemed logical to handle two related families, as if we could “kill two birds with one stone.”  We deviated from our proven model and it’s costing us extra time, extra money, and risking burnout of team members.

It’s the burnout that is the worst part of all.  It means little bumps in the road, which are a normal course of resettlement, seem much bigger.  Stress goes up and there is reluctance to continue.  A burned out team does not jump back in to take on another case.  It means our future effectiveness may also be negatively impacted.

Some weeks ago we learned that a number of Burmese refugees in our area, including a couple children in a family that we had sponsored would be baptized at a local church.  A week ago we received confirmation that the baptism would indeed take place.

The Karen people of Burma have, more-or-less, a Baptist background so they believe in full immersion at an age of awareness and desire (different from my own Lutheran background which has infant baptisms).

St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Pewaukee has sponsored a number of refugee families over the years.  We have sponsored a number of refugee families over the years.  Our separate efforts in the Burmese community managed to come together in a way that could be described as the Holy Spirit moving among the people.

Today we met at St. Bart’s.  They had arranged for a swimming pool to be set up outside the church so that the immersions could be performed with each person, one at a time.  A preacher speaking Karen was present, as was an interpreter, and St. Bart’s priest-in-charge – Father Tom.

The congregation of St. Bart’s parishioners was there for a “normal” Sunday worship.  They were augmented by a good contingent from Ascension Lutheran Church, clustered together in the pews.  Burmese families moved around with excitement.  And the Burmese choir had voices ready to provide the all-important sounds that this really was not a “normal” Sunday.

After the greetings, and explanations how today’s service would proceed, the service was underway.  When it came to the days message, those who speak the Karen language moved to a different room.  Those who understand English stayed put.  We each had a sermon in our own language before reconvening.

Then the baptism was underway.  The Burmese baptismal candidates, their families, sponsors, and curious onlookers headed outside.  The live action was broadcast inside as well so that everyone could witness.

Now imagine 50 degrees, light wind, cloudy skies, and a pool with two feet of water.  It was cold.  The two pastors got into the water, with the Burmese choir singing. 

The first young man stepped into the water as well.  When the choir stopped, the pastors said a few words, then dipped the young man backward into the water.  He arose a few seconds later drenched and shivering.  By the time he stepped out of the water the choir was singing again.  He was greeted with a warm blanket.

The ritual repeated another four times as two more boys and two more girls received their baptism with the words of the pastors, the song of the choir, the chilly water, and the gift from above.  Everyone present was moved.  This was not a typical Sunday service or a typical baptism.  No, this was special, and we could feel it!

With the immersion ceremony complete, we headed back inside.  For five young people and two pastors the first step was a change to warmer, dryer clothing.  The baptism was then concluded with the lighting of candles and anointing with holy oil.

The service proceeded to Holy Communion for all present.  Words were spoken in English and the Karen language as we received the bread and wine. After communion was complete, the worship concluded and was followed by a reception.

Through the years sponsoring refugees we’ve been invited to their weddings.  We’ve welcomed their newborn children.  We’ve seen them reunited with family members.  We’ve celebrated graduations.  We’ve witnessed the grand step of becoming a naturalized citizen of the United States.  We have rejoiced in good times and shared some pain in hard times.

Today was the first time we celebrated Holy Baptism with our refugees.  I’m happy I could be a part of this special moment too!

Together, let’s help 10 million refugees find home.