In February, Pastor Karl Fay and members from Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Palatine, Illinois, welcomed Pastor Alfred Emmanuel and his family as they relocated from Pakistan. After 20 years apart and an arduous process, Pastor Alfred, his wife Asia, and their four children were joyously reunited with his brother, Gulfam Emmanuel, sister-in-law Anila, and their son Austin.

Since their arrival in February, Pastor Alfred and his family are doing well and are happy to be here. Gulfam, Anila, and Austin enjoy every day being with them. “We thank and praise God for the donations they are receiving through the generosity of LCC donors, our church family, and our friends that have helped our brother and his family relocate and transition,” shared Anila.

Pastor Alfred and his family are thankful and amazed at how Christians here help others. This is something that they have never seen before. In Pakistan, he never took a salary. Any small offerings from his members, he gave back to people in his congregation who were in need. What he got from the church, he gave back to the church. He continues to see his prayers being answered, even during times there has been a setback.

"We are blessed by the generosity and love we have received since arriving,” shared Pastor Alfred. He continues to ask God to watch over and bless him and his family. “Our faith continues to get stronger, and we look forward to our kids having a bright future here; living without fear of religious persecution and having freedom of religion to do God’s Will.”
Pastor Alfred’s faith is strengthened by the hope he gets through Jesus as promised in Joshua 1:6-7, “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.”

Financial Assistance Still Needed
Transition to their new life here is going well but some progress has slowed down due to the current COVID-19 situation. Alfred and Asia, along with their two oldest children, look forward to start working as soon as things improve so that they can to take care of their family needs. The two oldest children, Zabloon and Zoya, are waiting to start the GED program at Harper College during the summer session in July. Zain, who is 16, started his studies at Fremd High School and his doing really well. The youngest, Zonara, soon to be 11, started at Hunting Ridge Elementary School and absolutely loves her new school. Both Zain and Zonara are continuing their school work through the e-learning programs with their respective schools.

Pastor Alfred participated in the virtual worship service at Prince of Peace the weekend of March 28-29 with his family by sharing the Lord’s Prayer in his native language.
 
This past weekend the entire family and another female Pakistan member from Prince of Peace celebrated their first Palm Sunday in the U.S.

Your financial assistance is still needed to help Pastor Alfred with rent, utility and grocery expenses until they can secure employment. Connections have been made for employment but they cannot start during the current COVID-19 crisis.
 
Please prayerfully consider donating generously so that LCC can support Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in helping Pastor Alfred during these challenging times.