April 1 Update

Whelp, the family of four have now been here about three weeks, and things are going along quite well, I must say! Today we sign a lease for their new apartment and Tuesday is move in day. I’m not sure the family really has a picture of what’s about to happen, but they are going to love the new apartment and all the great neighbors they will soon have. We have found that — who knew? — there is a Congolese community here in Madison, and they are quickly hooking up to get advice and support from new peers. We are certainly here to help, but if you’re a 20 something person, hanging with 70 something ladies is not always the deal. But we are great baby sitters! The fam has lots of hurdles ahead, not the least is learning to speak English, which is unfortunately a seriously flawed language. So many words are spell oddly, sound exactly like other words, and have 245 meanings depending on context. They seem to be making a good effort, and with great classes at the Literacy Network, they will undoubtably soon be ordering big macs with elan. We’re here to help and launch them into independence and hopefully happiness in a safer more secure place to live.