Mike -7: show the way

I visited Mike again nearly 2 months ago. I had hoped that I could bring someone with me from the church to introduce to Samy whom I had met on my last visit. As usual Mike was glad to see me and invited me in for a cup of coffee. We each gave an update about all that we have been doing since our last visit –the usual.

Mike has nearly finished his first year of school in order to get the basic school diploma for Austria. He has one more year to go. He had just passed the final exam in English. With the diploma, he’ll be able to enroll someday in a trade school, and his dream is to start a business.

Sure enough as we spoke, several other refugees dropped by including Samy. Mike turned on the TV and fixed coffee for everyone. They asked the usual questions: What do you do? How long have you been here? What do you think about Obama? I was doubly sorry that I didn’t have someone with me who was from the church.

When I was alone with Samy, with the help of Mike as a translator, I told him that I had hoped to bring someone with me from the church.  Samy sort of looked down at the floor as if he was a little embarassed that I would give him this kind of attention. I told him though that actually he would be more than welcome if he went alone to the church. I told him where the church was and when they met. I assured him that they would be glad he was there.  Although it would all be in German, I said, it would perhaps be an encouragement to hear the music and prayers, and it would be the chance to worship with other Christians. Mike seemed more eager about the idea than Samy. I explained again where the building was and he noted the name.  He didn’t write anything down.

That was it. My time was up and I explained that I had to go. I don’t expect that Samy will actually make it to the church unless someone first comes to help him get there.