Sanctuary Coalition of Southern New Hampshire

Hope is in the air.  Despite the snowstorm we’ve just had, winter is waning. Have you seen the birds stopping for a little while along their way north of here or south of here? Have you heard the first spring sounds of the birds beginning to stake out their local territories to raise their next generation? They are singing out their hope for warmer weather, for food, for mates, and a safe place to raise their offspring.

            We too have hope.  For a long time, Ben has been hoping that his wife and children would be approved for asylum here with him.  As I wrote in February’s newsletter, they have been approved and now have the interview process prior to receiving their visas. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and we hope that light will shine brightly, and bring them here soon.

            Meanwhile, Ben is studying diligently. When he began the Master’s Program at UNH Carsey School of Public Policy, he wasn’t sure that he could keep up with his younger classmates whose primary language is English. Nevertheless, he had faith and hope that he could succeed.  And succeed he has! He has earned all A’s, and he has grown in confidence.  I am in awe of his ability and determination.  English is not his first language, nor his second or third language.  Those are French and Lingala.  He also speaks Swahili and at least two local Congolese dialects. Ben’s hope has brought him a long way.

            Chris is still visiting in Kentucky caring for his brother’s five children while their parents are dealing with serious medical conditions. We know that surgery needs to be scheduled and we hope it will be soon.  Chris has had to put his own plans on hold.  We hope that he will be able to return here soon.  We miss him.

            So, here’s hoping that March will be kind to us.  Soon it will be spring!

“I’ll bring you hope, when hope is hard to find,

and I’ll bring a song of love, a rose in the wintertime.”