Serving Afghan Refugees

Presently there are thousands of Afghan refugees being screened for clearance on US military bases in the USA and beyond. Within the next few weeks, or even days, many will be released for resettlement in this country.  Of that number, approximately 1,400 are expected to arrive in St. Louis and indeed, some already have. 

Homa Zafer

By way of preparation for these arrivals, CFNA has recruited a well-qualified person to serve as our Afghan Ministry Facilitator. Her name is Homa Zafer and her primary task is to reach out to these refugee families through the services provided by CFNA. 

ahmad and his family

Homa was born and raised in Afghanistan as part of a Muslim family. While she was still quite young the family fled to Pakistan. This was at the time of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and her father had been a highly placed government official whose position and life, were now very much at risk. While in Pakistan she became a believer and committed herself to Christ. 

Resettled to St. Louis in 1999, the entire family immediately connected with the small but growing Afghan refugee community in St. Louis. Homa remains a fluent speaker of Dari and Pashto. She also holds two degrees from Washington University and is a confirmed member of Concordia Lutheran Church, Kirkwood.

In her Facilitator position for only a few days, she managed to connect with a refugee family of five who had very recently arrived in St. Louis from Kabul. Ahmad, the head of the family, had served in the US Embassy as a database manager.  He, together with his family, departed Kabul with little more than the clothes on their backs.  They need almost everything. The gift cards provided by CFNA helped, but until they qualify for some level of government assistance, the uncertainty regarding their day-to-day needs will continue. 

CFNA has launched an appeal for in-kind donations including a list of tasks that are needed. Use the buttons below to find out everything you need to know so that you can help!

If you are inclined to provide a financial contribution and are a member of a Lutheran congregation in the St. Louis area, you are urged to make your contribution to CFNA through your congregation. Your congregation may wish to match your gift before sending it on the CFNA. Routed in this way, it may also qualify for yet another match by Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis. Please contact your congregation leadership for more information and the buttons below to get started. 

If you live beyond the St. Louis area, you may send your donation electronically or by check to: CFNA, 4019 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63118. Should you have questions regarding donations, please contact the CFNA Business Manager at kpozaric@cfna-stl.org.  Thank you. 

By Rev. Al Buckman
Board Chair, CFNA