When I was 10 years old I started at a new school to begin 5th grade. There I met my best friend, to this day, Andrew. He has become more like my brother than my friend over the last 17 years, and his family has become like my family. I have spent holidays and birthdays with them, and they have loved me like one of their own. The last time I was with them all, Andrew’s cousin got my attention to tell me that his mom was describing me to an extended family member as her other son.
When I was on the World Race last year, he sent me the following message on Thanksgiving:
The reason I write about my best friend’s family, really my family, is to tell about the impact they have had on my life. My life would not be the same without my best friend and his family, and I would have never met them had Andrew’s parents not made a sacrifice greater then I could ever possibly understand.
You see, Andrew’s parents were forced to flee their home in Iran in 1979. They made the decision to leave the only lives they’d ever known in fear for their safety under the new regime of Ayatollah Khomeini. They spent time in Europe before eventually settling in the United States. Their story is actually shared by many others in my hometown of Turlock, California, where I grew up in a largely Assyrian-American community.
Andrew’s family, and so many other families I knew growing up came to the U.S. as refugees. I can say, without a doubt, I would not be the same person without the positive influence refugees have had on my life.
Pictured above (from left to right) The Nosrati Family: Amanda, Fred, Flande, and Andrew. They are family to me, and I love them dearly.
When I think about it, I cannot possibly separate my heart compelling me to go to Greece to help today’s refugees from these incredible people God has placed in my life for the better. My hope is that I can love and care for the refugees I meet in Lesvos just a fraction of as well as the Nosratis have loved and cared for me over so many years now.
I leave for Lesvos, Greece January 4th, and still need a little help to get there. First and foremost, I need to be covered in prayer from now until the end of my time there, so please pray. Secondly, if you are able to donate at all to help me get there financially, I would be more grateful than I could express in words. You can do so at the following link:
https://www.gofundme.com/eqgmcdh3
Thank you for taking time to read. Much love, and God Bless,
Andrew
