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- Sep 17, 2009
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You're a special man, brother. In my prayers every day, and will continue to be. God bless!
Thank you! It means a lot man.
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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.You're a special man, brother. In my prayers every day, and will continue to be. God bless!
It's all a slow burn now. It's paperwork and waiting. They're still somewhat in hiding, but everyone is alive, sheltered and fed, and that's the most we can ask for. I've been working on some exfil options and it's been nice to be in the States where I can actually meet with people and hash things out rather than a series of awkward phone calls.
More and more people are asking for help, and it's a matter of separating who NEEDS to leave (because their lives are in danger) versus those who WANT to leave (because no one wants to live under the Taliban). Sadly, with so few resources, we have to prioritize those who need to leave first, which means a possibly very long wait for those who simply want to leave.
One of the families we took on (not related) has gone silent. I'm holding out hope they're ok and in hiding, or maybe living it up in Western Europe somewhere, but it's disconcerting.
The atrocities continue...murder, maiming, disfigurement, etc. Honestly, it's exhausting, and sometimes...I feel exhausted too.
Thank you everyone, for all the support! It's meant the world....literally for all these people.
It's all a slow burn now. It's paperwork and waiting. They're still somewhat in hiding, but everyone is alive, sheltered and fed, and that's the most we can ask for. I've been working on some exfil options and it's been nice to be in the States where I can actually meet with people and hash things out rather than a series of awkward phone calls.
More and more people are asking for help, and it's a matter of separating who NEEDS to leave (because their lives are in danger) versus those who WANT to leave (because no one wants to live under the Taliban). Sadly, with so few resources, we have to prioritize those who need to leave first, which means a possibly very long wait for those who simply want to leave.
One of the families we took on (not related) has gone silent. I'm holding out hope they're ok and in hiding, or maybe living it up in Western Europe somewhere, but it's disconcerting.
The atrocities continue...murder, maiming, disfigurement, etc. Honestly, it's exhausting, and sometimes...I feel exhausted too.
Thank you everyone, for all the support! It's meant the world....literally for all these people.
AWESOME! You owe us a thanksgiving or Christmas pic of the whole family.
So glad you found the missing family member. You and your wife are doing such great work.
PS - I just sent you another donation.
Alas, the timeline is so slow now and the government so backlogged, I'm adjusting my hopes to have the family by Eid (May 2022). Off season Eid pics are the goal now!!
Thank you so much!!!
I wanted to wait until it was certain before I posted this update, but we have a singular sponsor willing to sign on for the entire family!!! Securing sponsors has been one of the big headaches of this entire process. My wife and I both work in the government and sponsoring foreign nationals could compromise our careers, so we went looking for a smorgasbord of sponsors to try and get the family in. Like a miracle, a singular sponsor has stepped up! This sponsor is a very private individual, so I will not be posting any details, but we will definitely be toasting to that sponsor over the holiday!!
it's baby steps now, but that's what it will take. A lot of work for seemingly small amounts of progress. This is huge and we are extremely grateful to all of those who have supported us.
On a sour note, the killings continue. Those who have not yet left Afghanistan are finding it much harder to do so, and they are paying with their lives. The Taliban continue to beat women and children who do not follow their laws. I am still part of the effort to document the atrocities. It's overwhelming.
Once I get my wife's family out, I'll be working on more. Sadly, I can no longer consider combining efforts. We've had too many instances where a singular member of a large group is captured and coerced by the Taliban to give up the rest of the group, resulting in dozens of murders. For my family's safety, and for future families' safety, it will have to be onesies for me from here on out. It will drag out the process considerably, but if more people can make it out, all the better.
@Nikolai - So happy that your family was able to find a sponsor. That is fantastic news. I'm thankful that we have so may awesome board members who were willing to step up and help. Be it monetarily or with contacts or both.
So what happens for your family members now? Do they need homes and jobs, and is that the sponsor's role (beyond the legal stuff)?
No doubt. I had board members here reach out, even spoke with one on the phone. I am extremely thankful for the folks here.
They're still in the third country. Fortunately, it's fairly affordable to house and feed them while we wait and the donations made here are making that so much easier! It's not an easy life since the males are more or less forced to stay inside because they are harassed by local police. But it's better than being dead in Afghanistan.
Once they're here, we've got a support system for them. We've got family in CA and us here in the DC area and we can house and feed them while they get their documents so they can work, live, etc like regular folk here in the USA. Our house will be a bit full for a number of months
OK. I live in NW DC so happy to lend a hand with something if I'm around.
I’m in the NoVa ‘burbs, and ditto on happy to help.OK. I live in NW DC so happy to lend a hand with something if I'm around.
Thanks for posting that. I’m going to have to visit one of their restaurants. Hoping I’ll be able to take a friend what spent much time in Afghanistan.