REFUGEE FAMILY

Wesley Memorial is Making a Difference by...

Two final notes: There are so many people who do their work behind the scenes. One such person is Emilie Rogers whose picture you see with one of the children above.

The reason I mention her is that a number of you have passed along good reviews of this newsletter and we appreciate it. Behind the scenes, Emilie Rogers is doing all of the coordination to contact contributors, establish a calendar of upcoming articles and finally, track down a lot of the collateral information needed to bring these to you. This is a team effort and from time to time we will feature others who make similar contributions that you should know about.

Secondly, this raises a point that a number of us have thought about from time to time. There are a lot of folks who do jobs at or through the church to “Make It Happen”. These include people who count money on Monday mornings to assist the financial operations, people who stuff bulletins, people who attend the alter for the 11:00 service, who answer the phone when Ann and/or Pam cannot be there – basically, those folks who “make it happen”. We would like to start featuring those people in upcoming editions just to remind us that church is a “team” event also. Please send me any suggestions of people or ideas for articles and we will begin to fit them in. It would be wonderful if you could suggest an article and then write it. Just send them to Joe Lorber or to the Volunteer Center and they will pass them along.

Many of you know the story of Augustine Masumbuko, his wife Francine, and their 8 precious children.

This family became a part of the High Point community about 1 ½ years ago when they were brought here by World Relief. Francine and Augustine, natives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, were compelled to flee their home land about 12 years ago when they witnessed the murder of Francine’s father and brothers by soldiers.

...supporting a refugee family here in High Point

Shortly after their arrival, Francine became pregnant with twin girls. Karen and Cindy were born March 11, the very first U.S. citizens for this proud, newly American family of 10. Five days after giving birth, Francine became seriously ill and was hospitalized at High Point Regional, eventually being air lifted to Duke Medical Center where she hovered near death on full life support. Due to the efforts of many prayer warriors at Wesley Memorial and around the world Francine made a full and MIRACULOUS recovery. Bwana Asifewae! Praise God!

They escaped to Burundi and later made their way to a refugee camp in Tanzania where their 6 children, Koze 11, Nifasha 9, Maombi 7, Raphael 5, Sycelia 3, and Frankie 21 months were all born. They lived in the camp for 11 years under deplorable conditions while they waited for refugee status to enter the United States.

The Masumbuko family came to the attention of Wesley Memorial through the efforts of Karen Hudson, pastor of Montlieu United Methodist Church, where they are members. Wesley Memorial, along with Montlieu UMC, has done much to help this family. The following is an exact copy of a letter Augustine wrote and wishes to share with you.

Augustine – Francine
2507 Dallas Avenue
High Point NC 27265—3417

OPEN LETTER TO THE CHURCH COMMUNITY & LEADERS

I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am full of joy writing this letter to all of you both the big and small church community.

It’s a note of appreciation from every member of my family. You have given us so much and all of us are lost for words on how we can thank you.

When my wife was very sick, both the big and small church members stepped forth and helped me in a way words can’t describe. Some of you took my newly born babies to their homes while others watched over the rest of my children. There’s no way I could have managed to do that by myself.

I am lost for words on how I can thank you for all your efforts to help my family both materially and financially – buying clothes and diapers for my children, giving us food supplies, taking my wife to hospital and footing the hospital bill. Whenever my children need to go to hospital (doctor appointments), I know I can count on you to make it happen.

Thank you also for helping my children with English lesson and Bible study. And also helping with getting a person to look over my children when my wife was hospitalized.

One thing that I ask of you is: don’t stop helping the poor, the sick, orphans and the widows –you have a reward awaiting in heaven.

Thank you very much.

Yours Faithfully,

Augustine Masumbuko

Wesley Memorial has indeed made a difference in the lives of everyone of these family members…and they have made a difference in the lives of many members of our church (the big church).

If you wish to become involved with the Masumbuko family or if you would like information on how you might help a refugee family, please contact Emilie Rogers @ 889-7306, Tasha Lee with World Relief @887-9007, or the Volunteer Connection. Blessings await you!