Finding Refuge

Refugee: meaning a person who flees for refuge, or safety especially to a foreign country as in time of politcal upheaval or war. I had to look this word up in the dictionary to actually put together what these women were talking about. I know the word but you cannot understand it until you have actually been in the position of a refugee or talked to someone who is. And even after talking to someone you still cannot understand the compacity of it.

I was just recently given, once again, another class. I really wasn't looking forward to it becuase I already have alot of other classes that I am still trying to get used to and plan for. I didn't have the right attitude going into the classroom, but as soon as I came around the corner and looked into my glass windows and door I saw two beautiful women wrapped in black and brown beaded embroidered head dress. The smile on their faces greeted me and instantly my attitude became humble towards these two women. Being able to talk to these women made a huge turn around for me.

As I sat there listening to them talk I was just so curious about where they have been, what they have seen, and where they came from. I was told that they were Iraqi refugees and I was so curious to find out their story. We each introduced ourselves but I was the only stranger. Monera and Monel are sisters-in-law that had come over to Thailand about two years ago and are now living here until they can speak English well and then find another country to live. It was like 20 questions as I just kept wondering and curious about their background.

They both came with about 25 members of their family here to Thailand to find refuge from the harsh conditions in Iraq. There nationality is Palestinian but they have lived in Iraq their whole lives. Monera's parents had moved to Iraq in 1948. From there they had both grown up in Iraq and were right in the midst of the war. They said that it was unsafe everywhere they went. They feared for their husbands and children as they go off to school and work. Monera told me almost tearing up that often she would hear bombs going off everywhere and she would just worry all the time about her family members. It seemed as though they were even afraid to go outside for what might happen. They were right in the middle of this chaos and now living in Thailand they fear for the rest of their family back in Iraq.

Monera has an older son who attends a University in Iraq but unfortunately cannot come to Thailand because he will not be able to work. Monera and Monel both are afraid for their families back in Iraq but neither have plans to ever return, at least not for now. They are just looking for a place of peace and somewhere that they can learn English. Unfortunately both Monera and Monel and their husbands are not allowed to work here in Thailand becuase they don't have certificates to be able to work, and something about their immigration. It was all a little hard to understand through their intricate accent but I think that is what they were telling me. I asked them how they are able to support themselves? Basically they have saved up enough money to be able to last them for a while here and also they are given small allotments from the government to be able to survive.

I asked Monel if she would ever come and visit America? or if that was a country that they would eventually settle in? She just replied "I just want to learn English." I think that because of the war and all of the political riots and things they are both aprehensive of ever stepping foot into America.

I have never have had this experience of talking with a refugee. These women have been through alot and you could tell every time I asked a question about Iraq or about their families. Just the sadness and fear that comes to their eyes and expressions on their face. You just know that they have been through and seen alot of things I could not even imagine. I have only heard and seen pictures of the madness that has been going on in the Middle East but I had not idea that it was still going on. Hearing their story touched me and even as Monera was telling me about the bombs I began to tear up as I was just getting a glimpse of the reality.

After the class I felt honored to have met these women and to have them in my class. Hopefully more of their family members will be coming also. I don't know what God has in store for me to teach these women but I hope I will be able to show them compassion and the peace of knowing that they are safe.