The Big Event – Move-in Day
Day 19
I really enjoy move-in day. Actually this is one of my favorite parts of the entire refugee resettlement process. Picking up at the airport is my other favorite time. To me these are the big transitional moments.
So, move-in day…
We arrived at the temporary housing (their relative’s apartment) at about 9:20 this morning. We already faced heavy driving rain and wind to get there. I had our car, my wife had the minivan. Another member of our team brought a car. We had to transport 8 people, some mattresses, plus drivers and luggage, so we needed three vehicles.
The family was ready and waiting for us. Between blasts of rain drops we hustled loads into the cars and van. It appeared that everyone was anxious to move on and get to their own home.
By 10:00, or shortly thereafter, we had everyone to the house. Work began about 9:00 so already much was in order by the time we arrived with the family. For the most part we directed what went where, but whenever there was doubt we tried to get the opinion of the new occupants.
A living room was set up. Dishes washed and in cupboards. Beds placed in bedrooms. Some pictures hung on walls. Sheets, towels, utensils, tools, cleaning products, tables, lamps, television, and more all placed in appropriate places.
We had volunteers from church helping to organize and helping to pick up and deliver furniture. Because of the weather our team had to pick up more than we had originally planned on. Some of the previous owners were going to drop things off but they did not have an enclosed trailer. So two guys on our team spent much of the day running around gathering things. Too many couches. Those will go to other families. There were enough mattresses for everyone, though not all had frames yet.
Around noon, another Burmese family, our previous refugee family, brought over lunch. There was a rice dish, a noodle dish, and my favorite – something called mow-ray-tow (at least that’s how I remember it pronounced) – that was flame throwing hot. It was a red sauce that I put over white rice. I kept going back for more. Perhaps the pain was addicting. My nose didn’t stop running for the entire meal.
Then back to work, moving more things into place. We got the television hooked up to a digital converter box. It pulls in a couple local channels.
The family was taught how to use a cellphone to dial 9-1-1 in case of an emergency. They were showed how to use the electric stove. We taught them about the fire extinguisher and had them test the smoke detector.
I turned down the water heater which was previously set on vaporize! Hopefully the temperature drop prevents the burning of hands or other flesh, both young and old.
By the end of the day, almost everything was in place. Most importantly the family is happy, at least in this moment. The darkest days are yet to come, but not for a month or two. For now we celebrate this momentous milestone!
