Turkeys, Refugees, and Friends
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Harmeed & Fardaws
During the weekend of November 20 and 21, numerous members of Concordia Lutheran Church, Kirkwood, packaged and distributed 800 turkey dinners, each of which included a frozen turkey, stuffing, green beans, and potatoes — enough to feed a family of five: 4,000 people in all.
This was the seventh annual Turkey Blessing event, and it began with a brief worship service with more than 200 participants. Among them were two refugees who had recently arrived from Kabul, Afghanistan: Hameed Zazai and Fardaws Ahmad. Having survived the crush of people trying to make their way through the chaotic Kabul airport, they eventually arrived in St. Louis with few possessions and hardly anyone they could call a friend.
Told about the Turkey Blessing event by Homa Zafer, the CFNA Coordinator for work among Afghans, they decided to take a chance and come. They weren’t looking for turkeys, however, they were looking for friends. Fortunately, while helping to assemble the cartons containing all of the dinner ingredients, they found several.
Homa’s interview with Fardaws regarding his experience is both interesting and informative. “Fardaws said he will always remember the Taliban atrocities at the Kabul airport where flocks of people were running for their lives in hopes of finding a place on a plane bound for the United States. He was among the fortunate few and deeply regrets that his parents were left behind.
“However, he is excited and happy to be in St. Louis, where he hopes to share in the American dream. Personally, his dream is to someday serve in the Marines! For today, however, the CFNA refugee outreach program in partnership with Concordia, Kirkwood was so impressive that he would love to someday become a CFNA volunteer!”
Thanks, Concordia, for this ministry of service which provides encouragement and hope to many, including young refugees from Afghanistan like Fardaws and Hameed.
By Rev. Al Buckman and Homa Zafer
