Our last arrival before the suspension of the US Refugee Admissions Program
After fleeing the Democratic Republic of Congo following the killing of her husband, Jeanne spent eight years raising her four children and two adopted orphans in a refugee camp in Uganda, waiting for a safe place to call home.
On January 14, Jeanne and her children arrived at Minneapolis–Saint Paul Airport, where she breathed a long-awaited sigh of relief. Although she was grateful, worry shadowed her smile. Her eldest son, David, had not been allowed to travel with them due to a processing delay.
Arrive Ministries was aware of the situation and had been advocating urgently for David’s case. At the airport, their case manager reassured Jeanne that her son was scheduled to arrive within days.
And he did. Just two days later, David landed in Minnesota and was reunited with his family.
“My mother was very excited. She couldn’t believe I was finally here,” David said.
We were so worried. We were hearing rumors that the program might be shut down. It was such a relief to be together again.”
Four days after this joyful reunion, the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program was suspended. David became the last refugee resettled by Arrive Ministries before the program was indefinitely halted.
I was very lucky,” David said.
In the months since, the family has made steady progress. Their case manager helped them find an apartment, navigate the bus system, access medical care, apply for food support, and enroll the children in school. Their employment counselor is guiding them through the steps to financial independence: helping them secure jobs, open a bank account, and pay rent.
David now works as a custodian at Target Field. He’s enrolled in GED classes and dreams of a better future for himself and his siblings through education.
Still, he can’t stop thinking about the more than 12,000 refugees whose dreams were dashed when their travel plans and final processing were abruptly canceled.
I just hope others will get this opportunity. Life in most refugee camps is very difficult.
“There are no jobs, limited food, and little hope,” said David. “But fleeing the war in Congo was our only option to survive. We can never go back.”
Join us in praying for the millions of refugees who, like David and his family, have no home to return to. Pray too for those who have recently arrived to our communities, who Arrive Ministries joyfully continues to serve.
In partnership with the church, we will keep on extending a message of welcome and belonging. From the first days to the long days, we are in this for the long haul.
