At the end of 2024, Arrive Ministries reached an incredible milestone. We welcomed our 12,000th refugee.
At the airport, our team gathered to greet a Somali man reunited with his father and younger brother after years apart. Moments later, his other son, daughter, and wife arrived, completing a family reunion once thought impossible. Minnesota is now their shared home.
Immediately after, a Congolese woman arrived and was reunited with her siblings at the airport.
Minutes later, another emotional family reunion, a Ukrainian man embraced his father for the first time in 17 years. He hugged his father, step-mother, and two sisters, overjoyed with deep gratitude.
Within just ten minutes, our team witnessed three families, torn apart by war, persecution, and displacement, find wholeness again.
There were a lot of emotions, tears, and hugging. It was really amazing to see that. We were emotional too about seeing the reunification for the family.”
-Akram, an Arrive staff member
A fourth arrival came later that night reuniting yet another family. For 35 years, we’ve helped families rebuild their lives in Minnesota, each arrival is a testament to the resilience and hope carried with our new neighbors.
It was a great reuniting of families. We’re just really grateful to have these individuals here and to welcome them to Minnesota.”
-Hannah, an Arrive staff member
