Don't be shy...

If you have some free time and you know where your adopted family lives... don't be shy to drop in to pay them a visit, that's acceptable in their culture and it builds rapport. Be prepared to eat though as you may be offered a snack or some hot tea : )

Easter Sunday I dropped by some of the Barnwood homes and asked the ladies over at 5p to eat and cook together.

I ended up making three car trips as their entire family's came! I had a houseful! It was fun and the language barrier was minor! The ladies were eager to jump right in and help and even insisted on it! We ate rice noodles and pork, mushrooms sauteed with garlic and onion, fried tofu, broccoli,green onions and baby corn. I had a variety of sauces and spices I use regularly but I was surprised that they inquired which sauces they were to use. I felt sure they would use condiments such as pad thai sauce, peanut sauce, general tsao sauce, rooster sauce, soy, etc. (I don't keep fish sauce bc I don't like it). Anyway, this all seemed new to them? The women enjoyed thumbing through some of my photo albums and the kids played video games, puzzles, guitar, sang and talked. The men watched hockey with Scott. Next time, I want to introduce them to the Wii. I had hoped to do an Easter egg hunt but the weather was to soggy and stormy. Anyway, it was a lovely Easter!

Oo Meh and Bu Meh were very interested in a small shelf I had on my wall. Oo's son told me they would like to get one. SO... the next day we found one at TJ Maxx. It was quite an ordeal showing them how to use screws to mount the shelf. Apparently they are using it to display a crucifix and rosary on. I have noticed these similar shrine looking shelves in other homes. Often a picture of Mary will be on the shelf along with some other special objects of veneration. 

Just thought I'd share : )
Picture is Oo Meh and Baw Meh at the sink. I thought it was a cute pic- so typical of us women, washin' and talkin'... no matter what our culture.

Food for Thought

Today I was teaching the Burmese kids that will be making their first communion on May 1st. We were learning about the 10 commandments. I found myself explaining the word COVET. Many times its easier to demonstrate than explain. So I enacted giving one child a pretend prize and then responded with joy and excitement at her winning the prize. Next, I showed the idea of coveting by responding with jealousy and negativity and sulking. I asked the children if they have ever experienced these negative feelings of jealousy or wanting so badly what another person had it consumed them and became their god, rather than God.

Ta raised his hand and answered "Yes". I presses Ta about what happened to make him feel this way. He responded. "In Thailand I had no food. Other families had food".
WOW! I was silenced... I expected a typical kid answer like, "I wanted my friends new video game or the same kind of bike he had, or I wished I had name brand clothes like she was wearing".

After I picked up my jaw from the floor, I quickly asked the kids if Jesus had been there with Ta, what would he have wanted the people with the food to do... they replied, "Share".

I wanted to SHARE this spiritual food with you all because it really gave me some perspective and the exchange humbled and nourished me.
Our Burmese community graces me with gifts such as these each time we meet.  Today Father Jerry was talking and I overheard him say, "We need them maybe even more than they need us- they are a blessing for us". His words certainly ring true for me.

Visiting With Families Who Do Not Speak English

Don’t be shy about teaching the Burmese how we do things in America. They are quick learners and will appreciate your help. But, don't just tell them what to do, involve them through demonstration and practice. So many things are different for them, and a kind word of explanation or demonstration is all that is needed to help them succeed. You might notice them doing something that seems unusual to you, but is normal for them. The things that they do, they have always done in Asia. Some things they will be able to continue doing (eating a lot of rice!), other things might not work so well here in America (like using a mortar and pestle to make a "hot" sauce early in the morning or gluing pictures on the wall), and they will need to learn a new way of living.

Here are some ideas for things you (and your kids) can do even if you can't communicate together in a common language. The Burmese need to be listening to English and creating new experiences. Though the Burmese may seem a bit quiet, they can have a great sense of humor. To keep things moving so that you are not sitting there all staring at each other, here are some suggestions:

• Invite your family/ individual to sit with you during Mass and at church sponsored functions such as ECHO
• Introduce your family/ individual to your friends at church
• Meet with your family/individual outside of mass at least 1x per month (can be a house call or go for coffee or a meal after Mass)
• Read children’s stories to the kids
• Play soccer with the kids or men
• Play badminton, throw a Frisbee
• Teach them how to shoot a basketball
• Teach them how to play baseball
• "Concentration" is a great memory game for learning English
• Teach Card games, and easy board games like Candyland
• Do an easy puzzle (i.e. a puzzle of the United States so they can learn the State names)
• Take little children to a park with playground equipment
• Play "Simon Says” with simple English words
• Go to the zoo together
• Take a family to McDonalds to try their first hamburger or hot fudge Sundae and play in the play area
• Encourage your kids to come up with ideas of where to go and what to do.
• Take them fishing—they love to fish, but have likely never used an American fishing pole
• Go see fireworks on the 4th of July
• Go swimming (make sure your family knows that Swimming requires proper attire--no swimming in your underwear, even for kids)
• Play miniature golf
• Teach the adults how to drive (an empty parking lot is a great place to practice)
• Go Bowling
• Assist with Doctor and Dentist Visits
• Teach English in a family home (especially w/women who are home with kids)
• Host your family/ individual at your home for supper, games, fellowship etc.
• Offer to assist your family/ individual with challenging daily tasks (such as shopping trip, accompanying them to health or social service appointments or offering them transportation).
• Engage your family/ individual in American traditions (Birthday celebrations, holidays, sporting events etc.).

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Who We Serve

The Burmese Ministry at Holy Spirit serves about 34 Burmese refugee families here in Bowling Green.

A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war, or violence. A refugee has a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. Most likely, they cannot return home or is afraid to do so. War and ethnic, tribal and religious violence are leading causes of refugees fleeing their countries.

More than half a million refugees from Burma are in neighboring countries of Burma and around 150,000 people are living is designated camps in Thailand.  As of 2007 the USA has resettled more than 5,000 refugees. Many who have come to the USA have lived in refugee camps for 15-20 years and were used to living in jungle huts with no plumbing or electricity.

The families at Holy Spirit have been in Bowling Green represent 2 main ethnic groups from Burma, the Karenni and the Chin.  These families speak Karenni and Chin and depending on their education background they may be able to read Burmese and speak a little English.