Arriving
By Kris Gifford
Date Posted 8/01/2021
This July, Kids4 had the opportunity to partner with Arrive Ministries in Richfield to learn more about local refugees and how to serve them. Children learned about the long, scary journey that most refugees take to find a new home. Laura Bolduc, Arrive’s Volunteer Coordinator, told us that Minnesota is expecting to welcome hundreds of new refugees this coming year. Arrive will play a crucial role in helping to establish newcomers in homes, connect them with community, and provide them with food and supplies. Using the story Far From Home, Ms. Laura connected us all with children who undergo big journeys to safer places and the importance of the love they find along the way.
Participants also received a copy of the book A Different Pond by local author Bao Phi. This creatively illustrated book follows a day with a father and son, fishing for their dinner in Minneapolis. The young boy imagines his father as a child, fishing in a far away pond in his home country Vietnam. Tenderly, this story reveals the struggles and hopes of refugees through multiple generations.
At our Becker Park gathering, our kids had an opportunity to demonstrate some of this love to Minnesota refugees! Families brought gently used children’s books that will be given to migrant families--these books will help children new to English, be surrounded in language, art, and stories. Participants also created welcome to Minnesota keychains to give away to arriving families. We enjoyed popcorn, the park, and partnering together to impact our ever-expanding community. Thanks to all who were able to contribute! Together, we continue to love our world.