immanuelbrookfield.org

How this Ministry Operates

Immanuel members work in collaboration with Lutheran Social Services to sponsor refugee families from around the world. Thus far, the Refugee Co-Sponsorship Committee has looked after refugees from Iran, Somalia, and Burma (Myanmar). This involves assistance with housing, jobs, and transportation as families settle in the United States.

Christmas Care Packages

Please consider once again contributing to Christmas Care Packages by donating toiletries to new refugee arrivals in need. Items may be placed in the labeled box in the hallway adjoining the Fellowship Hall through December 20th. Through Immanuel's own sponsored Burmese family, the Nays, we have come to know many of the area Burmese refugee newcomers, many for whom no sponsors could be found. Facing the "culture shock" of their first Wisconsin winter and struggling to make the transition to a new life in America, these families face so many more difficulties than those blessed with church support. The Seider ChristCare group is hoping others will join them to brighten their Christmas with holiday welcome packages that include the following items:    

Paper Products: 

• Toilet Paper
• Paper Towels

Toiletries:

• Shampoo
• Bar or Soft Soap
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrush
• Mouthwash
• Moisturizer/Hand Cream
• Deodorant
• Lip Moisturizer

Cleaning Supplies:

• Sponges
• Dust Pan/Hand Broom
• Liquid Dish Soap
• Laundry Soap
• Cleanser (Comet/Soft Scrub)
• Bathroom Cleanser/Disinfectant

Medicine:

• Tylenol
• Children’s Tylenol
• Children’s Vitamins
• Children’s Cough Syrup
• Neosporin
• Band-Aids

Miscellaneous:

• Fingernail Scissors
• Nail Clippers
• Gently used Suitcases/Duffel bags

Caring at Christmas: Susi Klagmann reflects on last year’s Care Package Process

“After spending several weeks collecting, sorting, translate-labeling, and assembling an assortment of generous donations matched as best we could to the family bios provided by LSS, a delivery date was set for December 20, 2008.  And God blessed our endeavors!  Snowstorms pelted Wisconsin both before and after, but the roads remained drivable for our planned delivery day.  Accompanied by ever-eager-to-help See Nay, we filled every inch of two vehicles, and with drive route in hand, we were on our way.

Our first two deliveries were to families with expectant mothers.  One young mom had just two days earlier given birth to her first child, a boy, and was still in the hospital; the other was due any day with a baby girl.  Both families were especially grateful for the infant winter clothing we were able to include from Immanuel’s Two Tunics closet.

When we arrived at the next home, we were met by a family in the midst of a Bible study.  An American woman leading the study greeted us with a warm “thank you” in Karen Burmese and told us she was from the ‘Kingdom Hall’ church.  Perhaps Divine intervention put us in that place at that time, for we were soon after able to talk to See Nay about the “disparities” between Christianity and Jehovah’s Witness, where Scripture alone is deemed inadequate to understand the things of God.  See Nay was then able to describe our encounter to a respected Christian Karen pastor living up the street with the capability to create awareness in an often vulnerable limited-English speaking Christian Burmese community.

Another stop was at a tiny, sparsely-furnished apartment, where a picture of Jesus hung on a smudged wall, and where Rock Moo, a single father was caring for his two small children.  Both little ones, a shy boy and girl, were dressed in “boys” footed pajamas, and both flashed nails that had in fun been painted bright red by their father.  Rock Moo graciously asked us to be seated on an old, markedly oft-recycled sofa missing its cushions.  See Nay made it possible to “visit” with Rock Moo who asked if we might take pictures of his family in the snow.  The doting dad covered his children’s little faces with thanaca—a yellowish paste made from ground bark and used over 2,000 years by mostly Burmese women and children for decoration and sun-protection.  Over their pj’s, he then dressed them in newly donated boots, hats, and mittens, and we all proceeded outdoors for a photo op in the foot of freshly fallen novel white snow.

Perhaps our “cutest” moment was at an apartment building that housed Burmese newcomers both upstairs and downstairs.  While familiarizing package contents to the parents, we passed out edible bracelet treats to the children.  (With bits of candy strung on an elastic band and munched at will from the wrist, these proved to be big hits with the children :)  A little later when See Nay asked one adorable little girl if she knew what to do with her treat, she nodded with a twinkle in her eye, and pointed to her head.  The entire room, Burmese and American alike, erupted in laughter.  With the candy bracelet, the little girl had taken a portion of her hair and tied it into a ponytail.

At day’s end, despite vehicles now empty, we were not returning empty-handed.  In our keeping were  two tabby weave open collar Burmese shirts, a traditional hand-embroidered Karen scarf, a heart full of “God bless you’s,” and a gratefulness that we belong to a giving and caring mission-minded congregation who helps us use our lives to make a small difference in the lives of others.”

Looking for More Ways to Help?

LSS is currently looking for ministers to care for arriving Burmese refugee families. Contact Susan Klagmann, or Lutheran Social Services at (414) 325-3063.