In May of 1994, Trinity Episcopal Church with St. Mary's of the Assumption Catholic Church in Milford, Massachusetts agreed to co-sponsor a Muslim refugee family from Bosnia.  After our orientation and training we waited patiently to be notified about the identity of the family.  To our surprise, we received the names of two families!  Two brothers and their families did not want to be separated.  Nijaz, with his wife, Ismeta, and their two teenage daughters and Sejad with his wife, Zefina, and their two daughters spoke virtually no English. Each family arrived with one small bag which contained all their worldly possessions.  The first days were filled with doctors and dentists visits.  Within a month they had jobs and apartments.  The teenagers made the honor roll every semester once they started school.  Today each brother has his own home and all are acclimated to life in America.

Personally, I have found this whole experience to be the most rewarding thing I have ever done.  Not only was EMM responsible for rescuing two wonderful families, but we at Trinity made friendships with refugees that will last a lifetime.