Some GOOD news about Maplewood

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/11/25/morrow-church-welcomes-syrian-refugees/

Well, I guess the least I can do is invite them over to the B&B for pancakes. Would anyone like to join them...

Sure. What time do you want us there?

I'm flexible when it comes to hospitality and pancakes. Just name the date and time, and I'll be ready. Just ask Hank Zona, Tom Rhinegold, and others.

Thank you to the Maplewood community and the Morrow Church.

Actually, they were slated to come to my house for Thanksgiving dinner, but their plans changed.   I am involved in a small way with raising money to help them.  The husband already has a job after spending 2 years in camps and detention centers being vetted.  He saw his family for the first time in 2 years after being tortured by the state police and fleeing for his life.     Morrow will be helping them get a start at a new life in America for the next 6 months, after which they will be self sufficient and we will move on to helping another family.    We may be planning a fun fundraiser that the community can get involved in.   Stay tuned.

By the way, the family needed a place to stay for 5 days until they could take possession of a rental apartment.  When the call went out for help, on the day before Thanksgiving,  my understanding is that the phone rang off the hook with people offering the hospitality of their own homes.  

Think of this.   Several of the scientists responsible for developing the atom bomb that helped America win World War II were Jewish Refugees.   If America had not let them in, if they had stayed in Europe and Nazi Germany had developed the atom bomb first, it is entirely possible that London, New York, and Washington might have been blown off the map and we might all be saluting with a Heil Hitler.

I admit that sometimes stepping forward like this can be daunting, and scary but when I do so this is why, from Matthew:

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,you did it to me. 

ajc said:

Well, I guess the least I can do is invite them over to the B&B for pancakes. Would anyone like to join them...

Thanks, ajc. That's a very nice offer.

Thanks for sharing mem. I guess I need to check MOL more often. I missed your first post until today. I love to welcome new people to Maplewood, and there's nothing like a cup of hot coffee, pancakes, and some interesting conversation to build Goodwill and Better Friendships. Please let me and Libby know if a group of you would like to bring them here for breakfast some morning... 973-699-8276

Depending on when, I'd love to at least stop by and offer a welcome hello.  And mem, Sarah, et.al.: if Morrow is looking for clothes or donations still, please let me know.

Will either of the parents go to school or further training?

Thanks, mem and sarahzm, for posting about this. Makes me feel good about our community to know folks are stepping up.

ajc said:

Thanks for sharing mem. I guess I need to check MOL more often. I missed your first post until today. I love to welcome new people to Maplewood, and there's nothing like a cup of hot coffee, pancakes, and some interesting conversation to build Goodwill and Better Friendships. Please let me and Libby know if a group of you would like to bring them here for breakfast some morning... 973-699-8276

This offer is great and those in touch with the family or Morrow Church should follow up. And the media ought to be notified. What a great story to counter some of the negativity and hate, especially since Art is a Republican.

I am serious and do not think it would be exploitative.

And it is Christmas (actually Hannukah).

LOST said:


And it is Christmas (actually Hannukah).

So maybe some potato pancakes too (Latkes!)

Happy Hannukah to all!  May we all be inspired to light one candle (helping refugees and others as we can) to keep the darkness away!   That's how we fight ISIS at home!  

LOST said:

ajc said:

Thanks for sharing mem. I guess I need to check MOL more often. I missed your first post until today. I love to welcome new people to Maplewood, and there's nothing like a cup of hot coffee, pancakes, and some interesting conversation to build Goodwill and Better Friendships. Please let me and Libby know if a group of you would like to bring them here for breakfast some morning... 973-699-8276

This offer is great and those in touch with the family or Morrow Church should follow up. And the media ought to be notified. What a great story to counter some of the negativity and hate, especially since Art is a Republican.

I am serious and do not think it would be exploitative.

And it is Christmas (actually Hannukah).

"What a great story to counter some of the negativity and hate, especially since Art is a Republican."

Thanks Lost, it’s what I was thinking too. I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m bummed. I can’t listen to the radio, watch the news, or read a newspaper without it being about another massacre, ISIS, the Middle East, or some Black, Blue, or Muslim Life Matters issue. It takes away so much of my Trump coverage time… ;-)

Seriously, I believe too many Americans today are dealing with a lot of uncertainty, fear, and hate. What we need to see in the media is more stories about confidence, courage, and love. If the powers involved are interested, I’d love to host a pancake breakfast next Sunday the 13th.

At first I thought of asking if we could do something at Morrow, but the more I think about it, inviting people to our homes is so much more personal and welcoming. I can easily handle 50 or more for pancakes at the B&B. A few years ago I had more than that for a Chamber of Commerce breakfast. I’m ready and willing if someone wants to give me a call, or if Jamie is willing to make it a MOL F2F @ the B&B…

You rock.

Heck, I'd make it if I didn't have Performance Reviews the next morning, my time! 

" We may be planning a fun fundraiser that the community can get involved in. Stay tuned."

Sarahzm, just a suggestion, but given the pancakes and venue are free, we could also advise people that donations are being accepted, (to help supplement Morrow's expenses) as they continue to help these families get their footing. 

By your post, you seem to have a handle on things, so please get back to me. If my offer doesn't fit the groups plans, then at least let everyone know if there's some other way we can all help... Thanks for all you're doing... Art 973-699-8276

To wrap up my part in this thread, the get-together is off.

I spoke with the folks at Morrow Memorial and they were very gracious. They have received many offers of help, and will take advantage of my offer sometime in the future. Their guests are just getting settled in, plus the wife still doesn't a speak a word of English. Seasons Greetings everyone...

ajc said:

To wrap up my part in this thread, the get-together is off.

I spoke with the folks at Morrow Memorial and they were very gracious. They have received many offers of help, and will take advantage of my offer sometime in the future. Their guests are just getting settled in, plus the wife still doesn't a speak a word of English. Seasons Greetings everyone...

Thanks for following up, and for the kind offer!