ife for me changed the day we buried our father. My brothers and sisters mourning the life of a man I barely ever knew. The boys in their suits, my sisters and I in our red velvet dresses with black patent leather shoes, my mother in black. That is the only memory I have of my father- laying him to rest six feet under. That was the beginning to the end.

I chose not to remember most of the rest of my childhood. I try not to remember being afraid of all the yells and threats and walking on eggshells. I try not to remember all the crying in the dark, the hiding, the praying. I try not to remember the marks on my brothers’ and sisters’ faces. I try to hold back my rage. I try to leave all my skeletons in the closet.

School passed time for me. I didn’t have a lot of friends, and I never brought anyone home. I was too distracted to pay attention, but I managed to get by, notice I said "get by" not finish school.

A few years later, our hearts departed. Our happy went to angry, our smiles to frowns, our family to crumbles. My husband, her daddy, had left us. He said he wasn’t ready for a family. He loved me; but he wasn’t in love with me. Where do I belong? My family didn’t want me, neither did my husband.

Time goes by fast. I meet another man. He’s different. He’s scarred like me. I guess that’s what draws us together- our pain. He loves my blue-eyed girl and me. He loves me... Time flies by. We also had a daughter together- a little brown-eyed girl like her daddy with sandy brown hair. I finally see the rest of the light in the tunnel- my Danielle.

My past will always haunt me. My future will always scare me, but my past is who I was. My present is who I am now. My future is what I’m going to do and who I will be.

Today, I am the mother of two little girls and in love with the man with the scarred heart. I am also finishing my GED so I’ll have my diploma.

i my name is Sabrina. I'd like to tell you a little about myself. I grew up in Miami in a small family. My mom was a single parent who worked two jobs. I had to take care of the house, cooking, cleaning, and helping my brother with homework at the age of 10. I had so many responsibilities that it took away from my childhood. I was 10 years old but felt like I was rushed into being an adult.

At 17, I met a guy who was older and we were married. The main reason I got married was to escape my mother's house and her rules, not really knowing that marriage was even a bigger responsibility.

It was a very wonderful time in my life. However, after 1 1/2 years, I found out my husband was a drug dealer and along with that type of lifestyle came our problems. He became jealous which I couldn't understand because we traveled all the time by ourselves. Then came the other women, the abuse started, this man really broke my spirit. He has done so many things unimaginable to me. He gave me a sexually transmitted disease and the worst part was he left me to die because he wasn't man enough to tell me he had a STD. But God came to my rescue after returning from Haiti. I deteced one of the symptoms. I was at the last stages, then, having a nervous breakdown in Jamaica where a man and wife and their three children were killed. Seeing this just took me over the edge, and once again, God showed me how to become strong again. Some years passed. My husband and I decided to start a fmaily. I thought that would bring us close. I got pregnant and miscarried our twin girls. At that point I couldn't take it any more. So my marriage of seven years ended.

Five years passed and I met my second husband. I was looking for love and acceptance. I left Miami and moved to Virginia seeking a change of lifestyle. Thinbgs were going well and we wanted to start a family, but due to problems conceiving we sought treatment and a fertility clinic. Eight months of unsuccessful treatment brought bitterness and feelings of worthlessness along with thoughts that I wasn't deserving of a child. During this period of my life I began to realize how my decisions and my two failed marriages were directly rleated to the fact that I still had a lot of growing up to do.

After my second divorce, I moved to Richmond and started dealing drugs and clubbing all the time. I lived this chaotic life for three years. As a result of my actions, while in custody, I became violently ill. During the booking process, I received medical treatment and I found out that I was pregnant. I began to cry. I had so many mixed emotions: happy, sad, lonely and scared. Being where I was in my life at 39 and turning 40 in a month, the two together was a combination knockout.

I was very sick and worried about my baby's health. I started reading bookings about pregnancy and was happy to know I was going to give life. I remember people saying everyone has a season, and this was mine. I was where I needed to be because I wouldn't have had my daughter, Chloe.

I asked God for blessings so many times and guidance for true meaning of life and living on life's terms. I have crossed an ocean of high trides, and currents which produced unconditional love, faith, hope, and happiness. Thanks, God, for my child. I love you, Chloe, more than all the stars in the sky.

o you know the phrase "butterfly effect"? It originally refers to the idea that a butterfly’s wings might cause small changes in the atmosphere that may ultimately cause, delay, or even prevent the occurrence of a tornado in some place. Small variations of the initial condition of a dynamical system may produce large variations in the long term behavior of the system.

It is very interesting to think about it, and you may find out that "butterfly effect" has affected you or is affecting you. For instance, you might ocasionally meet someone at someplace on someday, and at last, the one you met may become one of those who affects you most or even changes your life. For another example, you might make a decision between studying law or medical science. However, each choice may make you a totally different career in the future. A choice between studying law or medicine could lead to totally a different career or even life style.

Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises. We always ignore some potential opportunities, which could be life-changing chances. Like everyone else, when my classmates and I graduated from college in 2003, we all had to find a job. We searched for employment information anywhere we could: newspapers, websites, by attending all kinds of public job fairs, and asking friends if their companies had suitable positions. The result, however, was frustrating, and I was considering giving up and going back to school for a masters degree.

In a shiny afternoon, my boyfriend and I were surfing in a popular online forum, which I hadn’t logged on for several months, reading some funny threads, mostly posted by college students and young people like me. Though it was not a recruiting website at all, a post titled "employment opportunities" suddenly popped into my eyes. I opened the post, and it was an ad looking for people for one of the most prestigious companies in town. I said:, "Hey, guess what? This company is looking for people, and it’s one of the best companies in the city. Maybe I should try." My boyfriend said indifferently "Don’t be silly. It must be some kind of a fraud, or something to cheat your application fee. For that kind of company, why would they want to look for people in an online forum instead of using a professional headhunter? They are rich, you know." Having no other options, I decided to give it a try and sent my resume to that company.

After two weeks, I was given an offer from that company, and since then, I have been working there for four years till until I came to the US. Those four years became one of the best times in my life. I was working with amazing colleagues in a happy and dynamic team, and the work was challenging and rewarding. Sometimes I do feel that I was quite lucky for getting that job, . and I always ponder what would have happened if I hadn’t turned on my computer that day, entered that forum which I had ignored for months, noticed that post, or sent our my resume. Well, I would never know, but I am sure my life would have been different.

In the current market, a lot of people have lost their jobs and are facing a the same situation as I was several years ago. If there is one advice that I could give them, it is that they should always be positive, and don’t let any tiny opportunities pass by.

had a change in my life after I got to know God. Now I know the comforts and purpose of God,k but before that the normal changes like the language and the food and I adapted to all the unexpected when I left my country, El Salvador. These things did not surprise me. I spoke a little English and knew a lot, but the difference in many words was my pronunciation. I was preparing for my real life in the United States. I don't complain about the life I have been given. I have been given threde children, my parents, siblings and friends. Now what comes is work, saving money, and the hope to return to my country But my life after three years in the U.S. has changed so much in how I see life and the future. I continue happi8ly in the U.S. and know different people: women and men, proud, kind, and with different aptitudes. My best triumph is to study here at the ALC. I feel happy to study the number one language in the world and also to share it with a group of qualified teachers that care enough to teach the students.

came in the United States on June 25, 2008.

I don't like war. I love the peace. I served i Army for 12 years. The training was very hard. I took training very hard for my country and Kim Jung Il.

But all the human rights were broken in my country. Many people are hungry and don't wear clothes. Many people died because they were3 hungry (3 million from 1995 to 2000.)

I think my country is no good. I decided to escape from my country. they caught me and put me in prison for six months. I escaped from police. I went to China by swimming and Viet Nam, Cambodia, and thenh the U.S.A.

I so missing my family.

Thank you.

> journey can be many things. Any distance of life that takes place can be called a trip or journey. There are things that happen in your life journey - good and bad. Would you agree with that, or not? Even those who are dead are on a journey to eternal life to meet with God. Therefore, all journeys have a beginning and an end.

My name is Helen LuJang, and my native is Wayet. My journey starts in Sudan, a country where rivers divide the land. There you will find the longest river in the world, the Nile. This country is full of history and historical places. I was born in a city called Juba, which is in Southern Sudan. Most of the people are Christians, yet, some are Muslim, as in Northern Sudan. My parents still live in Sudan. My father was a teacher for more than two decades. Now, he is working with a new government in Southern Sudan. As many of you know, my country has been at war. After we got independence from the British, there was much disagreement between Northerners and Southerners. The result of that was that my homeland was affected in many ways - education, development, health care, and even spiritual. That is why, today, some of us left for USA, Canada, and other countries around the world.

Because of all that has happened in Sudan, some people decided to leave the country in order to find a better place to live, for themselves or for the family. That is why my husband decided to travel to Uganda. At that time, we still were not married. I was in Khartoum. From Uganda, my husband applied for immigration through the United Nations to get to the USA. After two years, he asked my father for my hand in marriage. When the marriage procedures were finished, he asked be to start the process to come to Cairo, Egypt in July, 2002. I arrived in Cairo and stayed with my cousins and my brother.

Egypt is a place found in Northern Africa. Its native people are called Seida and have black skin. A long time ago, Egypt and Sudan were one country. History has changed everything, especially when colonials came into Egypt. They married the native Egyptians, and today, they are mixed. Egypt is a place of change, and many people use it as a refuge, where people can find protection. As I write about my journey to the USA, I think of Egypt as a turning point in my life. I learned how to take care of myself, how to think twice, how to live a straight life, and many other things.

It was different when I was in Sudan, where I knew a lot of people. Let me assure you my friend, Cairo is a place of discipline and order. If you act the same as you did in your homeland, things may not go well. When you are on the street, the Egyptians might insult you, toss water at you, push you, or anything. You hear bad words in the metro and bus, many bad things. But this is not happening with all the Egyptians.

Maybe you pass through similar situation in your trip. I think it is good to learn and experience new ideas, cultures, styles, and to make your own muscles strong for a better future. When I arrived in the USA, I had a problem with the English language. So, I found through my journey that communication is very important. You need to be able to interact with people and understand them. It is not so easy for those who have been in another country with a different language like me. There are some difficulties in learning the new language, but it is worth the effort. Now, I know three languages well, and I am learning the fourth.

aybe, they’re right about me
maybe I’m a danger to society
Maybe they should lock me up
and throw away the key
Maybe...
Maybe I was born this way
Maybe this anger is here to stay
Maybe it will never go away
Maybe it will someday
Maybe...
Maybe I’ll forget all this pain
Maybe it will drive me insane
Maybe it’s all in my brain
Maybe I will just maintain
Maybe...
Do they even see my beauty
Can they feel my anxiety
These tears I shed are silent
No one seems to understand
They all think that I’m content
When all my world is out of hand
Maybe I just love you
Maybe I just love me

ime, where has it gone? One minute I’m here, and the next I’m there, never knowing where the next minute will lead me.

I was born, my next generation was born, and so on and so on. I’ve gone through life never realizing how much time has gone by. Events in my life have led me to where I am today.

I have to admit, I’ve went through much of my life taking some things for granted. One of those things was, my mother leaving this world. I have really struggled with this loss. I had really never thought of my life without my mother being in it.

I am now, after two years, trying to come to terms with the void that this has left me with in my life. I lost all sense of life. I lost myself, . I even lost my job. I am trying with all I have, to overcome this major life change.

I do have two wonderful children, and two wonderful grandchildren whom I cherish. I hope I can take what I have and realize the time spent now is priceless.

You can never really imagine someone you have loved and cherished your whole life, not being there anymore. I know it took a long time to get where I am, and it will take time to find a new path.

The fact is, at some point in life, that time will come. One thing is for sure, though, is life changes, but life goes on.

ou're looking for hero, you can rely on the Son
Keep your eyes to the skies cuz he promised he'd come
Lift us up from our struggles all our troubles undone
No more tears, no more fears, no more days on the run
What a glorious eternity he's assured to me
The highest blessings he'll afford to me -- so long as I live morally
Absorb his Word in me and always keep it stored in me
He knows we've wreaked havoc, had bad habits, been addicts and slaves
To a life trapped by shackles and chains, but it doesn't matter today
We're all free in Jesus, He's gathered and put together the pieces
No longer a victim to satan's reaches, He's released us from his leashes
We're finally FREE.

n reality, I don’t have babies; I have five passions, each with a tail and lots of fur. My dogs are my babies. One can only truly understand how I feel once they have a dog. It isn’t for nothing that the dog is known to be man’s best friend.

My first two babies aren’t amongst us. My first dog was a "Perdiguerio Portugues". He came to my home when I was 14. The second one, I took from the streets. He was a "French Brittany". I can’t say, like a real mom, that I like one child more that the other, but this one really changed me, maybe because he went through a lot in the street. When he moved, in he was almost one-year-old, and he always trusted me. Animals can really love us.

My Perdiguerio, was really intelligent. I think it’s the most intelligent breed. It was a hunting dog, real sharp and agile. He was really obedient and dedicated to his owner. The French Brittany is a hunting dog, too. Even though I’m not a hunter, both my dogs were.

The first time I lost one was close to my wedding. When I came from my vacations, he was sick at home with my dad. We tried to save him with a transfusion from another dog, but it didn’t work. I kept him at the veterinary- waiting for some miracle. If I could go back, I would never have left him there. I hated that he died alone. Dogs never leave their owners alone.

My third dog is a Caniche. I got him from my parents-in-law. I never liked small dogs because they make lots of noise, but now he is like the mascot of the family. I call him dwarf-flea as a mock name.

I married and left my parents’ home, but I missed my dogs. I would never pay for a dog, because you can find one in a kennel, just waiting for someone. Maybe I think like that because of my French Brittany, the street dog.

So I found a family with two dogs that were having puppies. The first time that I met them, the man showed me one and told me that he would be like the dog I was looking for. That puppy was three days old, when I met him. I thought it wasn’t a dog. It was so small, it looked like a rat. How could I like a rat?

The time went by, my little rat grew up, and when the day to pick him up came, I was taking a beautiful puppy home with me. I took him to my parents’ for them to see their new "grandson". They liked him so much that they wanted a puppy, too. Of course, I went back to the family and brought another one home,- the biggest and most l laziest. In reality, no one says they are brothers, because they aren’t pedigree dogs, and one looks like the mother while the other looks like the father.

I’m living in America now, because my husband came to US to get an MBA. I had to leave my babies alone in Portugal. They aren’t alone because they are with my parents, but I miss my dogs, my friends that are always near me and never ask why I’m being more rude one day than the other. Some days, I feel like a bad mommy, but sometimes I stop and think I wouldn’t like the idea of bringing him with me and have to leave him in the airport in quarantine.

The first stage of CS is Honeymoon. It means the initial period of time (a few weeks) when you travel or stay in new environments. You feel happy during that time due to something interesting that you have not experienced before. For example, I was very happy and surprised when I came here to the United States due to many trees, large gardens that include all kinds of flowers, fresh air, and so on. In addition, most Americans I met were very nice and friendly. They always say "Hello" first with smiles. The area (Greensboro, NC) I lived in was quiet and perfect for a study, unlike Seoul where I used to live, the capital of South Korea. I really enjoyed my initial life in the Honeymoon.

Negotiation is the second phase of CS. It occurs when you have anxiety and uncertainty from differences between the old and new cultures. It was difficult living in a foreign country. For instance, my life moved from Honeymoon to Negotiation. After a few months, it was difficult living in a foreign country because of a language barrier. I wanted to drive to go shopping, but I could not because I did not have a driver’s license. I had to learn English to get my license. I decided to go to a language school and went to the adult center.

The program director asked me several simple questions. "What colors do you like?" or "What kind of books do you want to read?", but I could not answer because I did not understand what she said. I was so embarrassed and disappointed in myself. She put me in the class for a beginner. I tried to study hard, and I could read some easy books. Finally after six months, I got my driver’s license. However, I am now completely comfortable speaking English with American people. I think that the time I had very hard time for English was my second stage of CS, Negotiation.

The third phase of CS is Adjustment. It develops when you grow accustomed to the new culture and develop routines. You know what to expect in most situations and no longer feel all that new. I can remember that I was feeling more comfortable living here- as my English class level was going up. I was able to drive to go shopping and do things I wanted by myself that I could not do before. In addition to English, I learned American culture, and I am able to prepare most of the situation that I will face. I feel like my life is getting stable, as if I live in my home country. I think my current life in Charlottesville is in the third stage of CS, Adjustment.

The final step of CS is Reverse Culture Shock. It happens when you go back to your home country after finishing life in foreign country. You undergo the same stages of CS, (Honeymoon, Negotiation, and Adjustment) because you adapted to the foreign life. In the future, I would experience another culture shock from my home country, but I feel confident dealing with the shock because I know how to handle it. I believe learning culture shock would help you settle down in new environments. I hope this story helps someone who is struggling with new life.

will never forget the first time when all of my family was separated.

I had just moved to the United States as a refugee from Afghanistan. I was very sad. I didn’t know what to do· I wasn’t ready to do to work. I was depressed because I had lost everything. However, different organizations helped me to get back on my feet.

My first teacher was named Leslie. She helped me a lot. I will always be grateful to her. I am also grateful to the I·R·C (International Rescue Committee) for helping me and my daughter. They also helped me to bring my husband to the U.S. I am thankful to Habitat for Humanity for helping me get my house here. Thanks to everyone who has helped me.

Now, I don’t have problems. I am looking more towards the future, unlike eight years ago. Then I only looked into the past. That has changed now.

hen I think of a special place, I think of Aruba. I visited there once with my girlfriend for two weeks. The water was very clear and the sand was white like snow. It was very pretty.

My girlfriend and I had a great time. We laid on the beach in peace and played in the water. I met a lot of people and ate a lot of different foods. Some foods I liked and some I didn't. The water and sand were beautiful. It was so clear in spots, you could see to the bottom. Laying in the sand reminded me of laying in the snow.

Although I've been a lot of different places like Puerto Rico, Acapulco, and San Juan; after being to them I would have to say Aruba is still my favorite. I enjoyed the nice views and ways people welcomed us.

have faced so many challenges and chances in my life. My mother died when I was 16 years old. I had no place to go or stay. I was living on the streets. I was a teenager when things got rough for me. I was living from pillow to past. I had no food to eat and one of my own clothes to wear on my back. It was hell trying to find shelter for me to stay.

I ran into some trouble while I was ripping and running the Wild streets. I had to plead and beg and talk my way out of it. These fellows had beat me up and took what little stuff I did own. They also took put salt into my ears. They also took all of my clothes off and left me naked on the abandoned apartment building floor. I faced all of this stuff alone. I got up, got myself together and left out. They did leave me the clothes they that they stripped off me of in the apartment with me to wear. I went to different organizations- like OAR and V.A. care to help me with shelter food and stuff like that. I didn’t have my children with me at the time either. They were in foster care. They were removed from me for neglect. I was very young when I had my first child. I was 12 years of age. At that time, my first son was born.

I had to get up and get my life back. I went to Andrew’s apartment and told him that I needed help. He sat there, and he heard me out. Then he got up and paced up and down the floor. He came back to me and said he could let me stay until I got on my feet. I thank him also. Then we sat down and he told me what he expected of me, and what he wanted me to do to earn my stay there. I still didn’t trust him but after a of month staying with him,we sat down and talked about things that happened to me.

He was telling me what to do. He was also telling me how to go about doing it. We were able to sit down and discuss our little troubles we have had in the past. We were able to sort out our differences. We were able to go to N.A., A.A., and talk about some of the stuff we went through and what went down between us. We also met with our counselors. We got through this ordeal, and we solved a lot also, I was very proud of myself for getting so much accomplished.

In all, everything worked out for us. The help we received in all, we both worked together on our issues. We also talked about the things that bother us the most. We went to different places to seek the help we needed and got. We saw doctors, also. It was a onetime thing. We had no money at all to see all these doctors they psych doctors or nothing. We turned out to be the best of friends. We did things together. We shared a lot of feelings we had bottled up inside of us. We went to N.A and A.A.. together and got our life back on track. Then, four days later, Andrew died and I went to see his sister. There were six girls. His older sister took it the hardest because of the shit they went through (fussing and all the stuff the mother left them property and stuff). I went to the funeral and I stayed a little while. Then I returned to my apartment and sat on my couch, and I fell asleep on my couch.

obody expected us to get married so soon. My family was planning my sister’s wedding, not mine. My lovely grandmother had passed away a few days before we announced our engagement. She suffered from a long and devastating disease called Alzheimers. All of us were very effected, in particular, my father, who was supporting her everyday and witnessing her decline.

You never know when your life is going to change. Sometimes good news comes in the worst moments and makes you experience conflicting emotions. I was praying for my grandmother when I learned my boyfriend had been accepted by UVA to study a Masters degree. His own dream finally had come true and mine, also! Five days after that, he surprised me with the most romantic experience I have ever had, he proposed to me. This was the first step to our new life.

My sister was the most disappointed member of my family. We do not look alike, and our personalities are like chalk and cheese. But it is true what researchers say about twins, there is always some competitive relationship between them. So, another time, unfortunately and by accident, I overshadowed her. Though I had nothing to do with it, we were now planning my wedding, not hers.

In four months, we had married, and fifteen days afterwards, we were heading for the US. It was my first time here, so everything was new for me... a new language, new culture, and a new town. So, all my five senses were ready to explore the environment. There was fast food drive-throughs everywhere, long distances, big cars, big malls, big cities, big bodies...The U.S. is a very diverse society and the country of many opportunities. Culturally, Spain and the U.S. are quite different, but for me, the biggest shock was the different uses of the language. Everyone asked me, "How are you?", "Do you find everything okay?" At first I tried to answer the best way I knew because of my reduced vocabulary. After a few weeks, I realized that nobody gave an answer to that question! It was just a way to be polite. Yes, that is it. Most people are very respectful. Everywhere you hear "You’re welcome. You’re welcome..." I thought these people are so sweet... But how, do they always know I am foreigner? These are the kinds of things that make this experience unique. Everyday, I learn something new, not only about the language, but also about the American culture and the international one!

My husband’s classmates are from thirty-five different nationalities, many of them came to the U. S. with their partners. Here, I have the opportunity to meet wonderful girls from all around the world. It was so fun when we got together for the first time. We were looking for English as a Second Language Classes. We were one Italian girl, one Portuguese, one Korean and me, the Spaniard, driving through the town asking for directions, trying to park in the University Grounds and discovering how to use the parking meter. The most difficult thing was trying to understand each other. In these situations, you experience how useful your gestures are and how many feelings you can transmit with your face. It was enough to make us the best friends in Charlottesville.

I have become the Head of the new International Committee of Partners, and my colleagues and I will receive, in August, the new foreign students and their spouses. I am sure Charlottesville will welcome them warmly, too, with its doors open to everyone.

It took us ten hours to get to the U.S. by plane and it will take eight to go back. Oddly, it is less time, but it doesn’t mean we are going to forget it easily. We are all sure that the memories of these last two years will always be in our minds.

merica- the dream of all.

America- the other world.

Everyone thought he would go to heaven... world prosperity. Welfare... Rich... It’s the dream of all people.

In my country, all the people have a dream to travel to America... Then all Arabic people also.

All my friends told me. "Wow... Good. You are going to change your life because you will go to live in the U.S.A.">

All of them thought that because I’m a refugee I had a lot of information about this country, but that information was different Some of it was negative, and some of it was positive.

I was ready for all possibilities when my family and I arrived in this beautiful city...after 18 hours of travel from Jordan to this beautiful city...Charlottesville. We were very happy. When we arrived, the organization of I.R.C gave us help.

But after one month, the difficult journey began. Life in this city is very difficult because the rents are very expensive. There are few jobs, and wages are low.

I prefer this city, because it is very beautiful and becauseof the beautiful nature. When I wake up in the morning, the birds are singing out side my windows, andI continue my listening to the birds, wow!!! Their color is very beautiful, too. I never saw any thing more beautiful in my life, only in movies.

The life in this city is very easy but all the families in this city barely have relationships between the people because of work. That’s why I suggest from the government to do more stuff, like fun fairs and zoo. That's why I decided to stay in this city.

How have I improved my life? I’m learning English at the Adult Learning Center, Literacy volunteers center, Live Art, the Senior Center and Dialogue Café. In the Adult Learning Center newspaper class every Wednesday, we are learning how we can write stories. All those places help me to improve my language.

A final thought: I wrote some stories, some poems, and I share them with my friends at the Adult Learning Center now. I’m very happy for that.

I want to learn more English language because I want to write in news paper, plays, stories, and translate all my Arabic plays to English. That’s my dream in America, because now I’m an American.

am 38 years old. I was born in Afghanistan. and I am the only girl in my family with six other brothers. I got married at the age of sixteen when I was in tenth grade, but I was lucky that my husband allowed me to finish high school, unlike most other men in Afghanistan. After finishing high school. I had a chance to become a teacher.

I had my first son, Aman. and we moved to Kabul. the capital of Afghanistan. from the city where I was born called Kundoz. We lived in Afghanistan until the Talibans came. My husband decided to move to Pakistan so our kids could get an education there, because the Talibans had closed the schools. So, we moved to Pakistan with my son Aman, daughter Samira and my youngest son Rashad.

In Pakistan my husband opened up his own business. He owned a shoe store, and everything was going very well for us. Until one day, that changes everything for my kids and me. My husband died of cancer, and that was the worst day of my life.

I was left with my three kids, and the only thing I wanted the most at that time was to bring them here to U.S.A and have them get a good education, because that was my husband’s dream. I finally reached my goal and came here as a refugee on September 19, 2002. My life completely changed once I moved here.

My kids went to school and started speaking the language which made me really proud. My older son started from sixth grade, Samira started from third-grade, and Rashad started from kindergarten. I got a job at a senior place. Now, my kids are grown. My son Aman is 17, Samira 15, and Rashad 11. I also got a new job at UVA which I really like.

I am very happy that I live here, and all I want now is to see my kids finish high school successfully and go to college. I am very proud of my daughter Samira, and my son, Rashad, because they got a scholarship to a great private school, Saint Annes Belfield. I wish all my kids a good and healthy life and to be here to see them walk on stage and get their degree.

had a talk with God this morning
and He told me to rest my mind,
for as long as He is within me
everything is going to be alright.
I'm saying Thank you, Jesus,
I Thank you God
for saving me -- you opened my eyes
Oh yes, you did and you gave me
the victory.
When I was down and out and lonely
you lifted me up and you took my
pain -- that's whe I knew that I would be faithful to you lord -- because
your son is in my life.
Thank you Jesus,
Thank you Lord,
I Thank you God
for saving me -- you opened my eyes Oh
yes, you did Lord -- and you gave me
the victory.

his writing is about my life -- from the country where I was born to the country where I am resettled now. As you may all know, refugees from around the world have been resettled to several countries, and the Unites States is one. I have been resettled from Thailand to the U.S. I want all of you readers to think of the situation and see the picture of my story. Then you’ll know what it is like being a refugee. Hunger, poverty, and enemies are the main story for refugees.

Both my parents were born in Burma, known as Myanmar today. They had a little piece of land they were farming for their food to survive. Because of the political situation, they moved from place to place and were not able to stay in one place. They were afraid and had to hide and run to escape from the Burmese soldiers all the time period they were in Myanmar. As they moved through the jungle, they arrived in Thailand accidentally, and then entered the Sho Klo refugee camp. While they were staying there, my mom was pregnant and delivered me, and later on, my brother was born, too.

During that time soldiers started coming into the camps with guns and weapons, to force people to go back to Mynamar, so we often had to run and hide. Sometimes, they threw bombs into the camp. So, the fighting was still going on, even where we were, and finally we were moved to another camp called Mae La.

We went through difficult situations day by day, month by month, and then year by year until we escaped from refugee life and approached a new life here in the U.S. I am very happy in the U.S. with my family now. I have a job and a car and reside in the U.S. legally. I thought I would never ever have these things, but I do now, and I’m glad. I feel like I get enough air to breathe, and I feel stronger here than in refugee camp. I know that God saved me, and I hope will save everyone in the whole world from poverty and dangerous situations. My family and I are blessed to be in the US, and have to the opportunity to get what we want for today as well as the future.

ark and loneliness fills my cell
With pain and fear to great to yell
I wait for the mailman to deliver to me
As I wipe away tears that no one will see.
I pray so sincere with hands raised above
"Please, God, soon send a letter of love.
I long to gaze upon pages so dear
With riches to bring my loved ones near.
Words of diamonds on pages of gold
A message from heaven as their story is told.

We love you, miss you, pray you'll be free
A treasure-filled envelope just for me.
Please bring me memories of joy I once knew;
Family, friends and things I would do.
The darkness of pain of my cell will prevail
As my name again, was not called for mail.

I want to be a small ant. Everyday I work hard for my life.
I want to be a cow. I eat simple meals and give people all my body.
I want to be a bee. I am busy everyday to make honey for people.
I want to be a grain of sand. When you feel tired, you may come
           to the beach and lie on my body. I want to be green grass. Sit down near me and enjoy sweet life.
I want to be a bright moon. In the dark night, I will point your way.
My dear friends, what is your choice?
Life is short. Choose your way.
Study hard. Work hard. Enjoy your wonderful life.
Are you an ant? or a cow? or a busy bee?.......... or a bright moon?
Life is sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy.
Cheer up. Do your best.

am from Croatia. I have been in the USA for six months. I come from Germany to America.l In Germany I lived for 17 years.

The greatest change in my life was the change from Croatia to Germany in 1991. I had to leave Croatia because of the war. At that time I worked in Dubrovnik. My uncle lived in Germany, so I went to him. I traveled by ship and by train.

he challenges and changes in my lifetime were both rough and wholesome. My challenges were hidden from society but very open to me. I played the role of an innocent victim of my wild thoughts and physical actions. Life for me was no in betweens, but to know that life has the gift of change is overwhelming and breathtaking. I no longer became a victim. I grew into being a victor of my mental, emotional, and physical challenges.

In my household, we lived the traditions of the society like everybody else: the housewarming rituals, the getting up and getting ready for school,and the rushing to eat breakfast. When I was little, I imagined life from a whole different perspective from the opinionated politics that surrounded me. This was a supernatural gift that came to realization in my teen and adult years, but I never shared my inner thoughts or emotions about the traditional subjects of life. I considered myself to be a closed door. There wasn’t any key that could open that door; it stayed shut at all times. Of course, we went to church and were taught about God, the father, and Jesus Christ, the son. But I only believed in God when good things took place. I had all that I needed in my household, so I never thought, as I got older, that my emotions and thoughts would lead me to mental and physical addictions that took over who I wanted to be. But I made it through my battlefield of corruptive thoughts and actions as time passed, and I began to go back to the God I knew in my household.

In high school, I found out that I was diabetic, and I would use my sickness as a crutch to leave school early, just so I could fulfill my mental and physical desires. My flesh reaped corruption, and my mind was full of manipulation. I lived in my own world. To me, nothing was important but what I thought and acting on my thoughts. My stomach and my flesh became my God. I idolized these two things in my life. I no longer knew, or even wanted to know, the God or Jesus that was taught to me. These mental thoughts were necessary for me physically. If I didn’t meet them, then I would not be myself. These challenges became an itch that needed to be scratched; or even like a bug that bit you and you needed something to heal the irritation. That little girl and her "new perspectives" on life and her supernatural gifts, so she thought, was no longer a joy to her spirit. I now realize that I was the prodigal son but soon returned back to my childhood beliefs in God and Jesus Christ.

When I became a mother, life to me became just a little clearer, even though I still battled with my mental, emotional, and physical challenges. I came to the realization that I never truly loved me fully, which was pathetic because my children never got to know the real me, you know, my little of girl hopes and dreams. My children became the center of my focus. I went into survivor mode. I always used to feel like I didn’t deserve these gifts because of my messy lifestyle. Love, then, became very clear to me and not the worldly love but the spiritual love. This love conquered all of my mess.

Life challenges made me whole again, not to say that I still don’t struggle, but along my journey in life, nobody ever told me once that the road would be easy. I never gave up hope or faith. I began to push harder and harder to get my life right. I cast all my cares upon the Lord of my youth. I now live for Christ Jesus and am a servant of the Most High God.

My name is Hermoine. I was born in a small town in the south of Benin on July 11, 1986, West Africa. I grew up between Togo and Benin. I got my baccalaureate in 2006 at Cotonou when I was 19 years old and this diploma is equivalent to American high school degree. In October 2006 I started a private university in Benin that is called Ecole de Commerce et de Management. There I studied communication and journalism for one year and a half. I didn't ghraduate because of my trip project. I left before graduation day. So my life changed and my ambition grew up day after day and I have a dream to be a flight attendant and travel around the world and be able to speak many languages like English, Spanish, Arabic, German that I learned at school in my country, Chinese and why not more than those?

Right now I speak French, a little bit English and more than 5 languages of my country like Mina, Ouatchi, Adja, Sahoue, Fon, Gun, and so on. Then one day someone told me, "You are smart with your dream, I can help you." He helped me to come to the United States of America and he said there are many opportunities for you to realize your dream, but you have to be courageous. So I decided to come to the U.S. Before my trip, I was very happy to know the States or cities and realize my dream. But at the same time I was very sad to leave all my family. Anyway, that was my choice. Like that I leave Benin in April 30, 2008, and my trip was very long and tiring: almost one day between two airplanes. Long but interesting for me. I discovered many new things and I met different people. That was great.

I came in May 1st, 2008. For the first time I felt strange because nobody could speak the same language with me, only English is spoken. It was like I was born again. I couldn't understand anything that was happening around me. I just said, "Oh! What a life!!!" I had to start my new life and be able to do many things myself like: shopping, riding city buses without getting lost, read my mail and understand, go to hospital and communicate with doctor without difficulty and be able to say my needs. When I thought about these problems I wondered if I could stay or go back? But I think this life is not easy for anyone eve if you are in your homeland. So I decided to stay and face the music. I mean accept all problems I will meet on my way. Day after day I learned how to ride the Charlottesville city bus. I learned about dollars, quarters, pennies...

To relax or improve my English I thought about taking English as a Second Language. There I learned many things about U.S. I can't tell you when I started that class. It was hard for me. Sometimes I didn't say anything until the end. I couldn't hear or speak because of the accent and the pronunciation. Two weeks after, I started speaking. I thankful for this class, especially my dear teachers Leslie Furlong and Jim Gordon, who helped me so much and gave me courage. And one important lesson I learned from them. Do not be ashamed to speak English or any language you want to learn, and do not be afraid to make mistakes. From that day I tried to say something before the class end and now my English is better than the beginning. I feel good today because of you. May God bless each of you.

s a child growing up with eight siblings, there were times we had no running water or electricity. But through it all, my dear mother struggled alone, and we were brought together and taught love. My life change came the year before my graduation. I was sent to an alternative school where I began to use boys to fill the void my father’s absence created.

I became trapped in an unhealthy relationship that led me to drugs and prostitution. My life was out of control; things became worse. I was raped and left to die. This tragedy further changed my life, but I pressed on; never allowing it to bind me. Yet, again, my trials and tribulations deepened when death knocked on my door three times from an overdose of cocaine. My life has a purpose to be fulfilled even through all my turbulent times of trouble. With the awesome hands of my Daddy above, I acknowledge I’m blessed. I can see the many times God’s hands reached out for me.

Today, I take advantage of my turbulent past. I have learned to humbly forgive the man who robbed me of motherhood and made my life a living hell for so long. I’ve unlocked the buried past to allow healing with God’s help. Today, I run to my maker and the author of my being and faith. I’m a strong force within the trinity. I see the deceit of the cunning serpent who had me in despair and dismay within my soul by the lie of his cunningness. Even today, I’m persecuted and criticized for no fault of my own due to the past I had to go through to get closer to my daddy above, so he could love me and fill the emptiness of my heartache. The memories of my past are being healed through rediscovering myself, and I’m not ashamed. See, I refuse to be held down any longer by the toll that took control of my mind, body, and soul. I went around the mountain almost twenty years longer than God intended it. I’m shown unmerited favor daily by my daddy because I’m in good health and clothed in my right state of mind. I take up my cross daily and die to self and allow God’s will to be done.

I’m forty-one years of age and eager to receive my GED without refusal to give up on self. I’m a persevering Nubian Queen dressed in the robe of righteousness and total forgiveness of my attackers and myself. I’m claiming what’s rightfully mine, through the promises of a loving, kind, tender daddy, whose love is unconditional. See, here’s the triumph of my changes:

L - Love self when no one else will
I - Inspired never to give up or give in
F - Fight with all my might
E - Encourage self to persevere daily

C - Cheerful and full of good spirits
H - Hinged to the hope of my healing
A - Abilities to be and do what I aspire to do.
N - Nonchalant with confidence and good manners
G - Grave but still alive and well
E - Eager to move past my life change of experiences
S - Strive to succeed

The graveness of my past can’t hold me because I’m blessed by the best. I daily count my blessings from my past of turbulent times and perilous times of trouble that made me the strong willed woman I am today. My afflictions were for me to suffer along with Christ Jesus, my Lord and Savior, whom I call God. I’ll succeed with the love and strength of my vindication, and I now learn how to beat the oppressors- the beast of my rape and the beast of cocaine. I’m no longer oppressed in my spirit.

have two sons and two daughters. I live in Mexico. My husband died six months ago in Mexico. My children are my good people.

I have not been to Mexico in five years. I only speak on the telephone.

ife changes: I'm from Iraq. I'm coming to America. This very much changes my life. I'm very sad for one sister in Iraq, one sister in Syria, and my love in Syria. I like people in Iraq and America. Everybody very nice.

In my life in America very good in future. I wish everybody good life and smile. I'm work now. I'm happy in working. Now my mom and brother. Good family. I like my life.

y name is Christy. I’m a mother of three. I am in prison for the fourth time, and I must say, this will be my last. Why I say this, is because I have been in trouble ever since I was fourteen-years old. I have been in detention homes, jails, and prisons. I had my first child when I was fifteen years-old. I had my second child at seventeen, and then I had a baby girl who I had prayed for. Well, when I was pregnant with her at the age of twenty-nine, I was addicted to crack cocaine. Yeah, it’s sad to say, but the whole time I was pregnant, I used. So, when my daughter, Alexus, was born, she was born with crack and weed in her system. She had side effects for a couple of days, but she was born a healthy baby girl. She was my miracle, but with me being an addict to crack, I did not stop.

Instead, I got married to a drug dealer, and everything went down hill.

My husband started having an affair, which left me to going and out, doing my thing. I lost my daughter to Social Services and foster care. I had to check myself into rehab, but I did not stay because I wanted to get high and I was wondering what my husband was doing. Well, needless to say, I had turned my back on my family. I was staying at a motel, making runs for people who were trying to buy crack. Two months later, I moved back with my husband and daughter and thought all was good. Until January 2006, when the Drug Enforcement ran up in my house and busted my husband, they came and got me on indictments for selling drugs. So, here I sit for six years of my life behind drugs, away from my family, my kids, and my life. But being here in prison this time, I’m getting my GED. I’m taking some trades up, and I’m learning to be a recovering addict who can make it without drugs. Not only that, I look a lot better, I feel a lot better, and I’m thinking straight. My family and kids like the clean me! And guess what, I do too!

’ve learned how to listen,
developed New Vision,
Divine intervention,
the Spirit Strengthens me.

My trials and tribulations
taught lessons all on patience.
This Golden Fire Blazing,
the Spirit Strengthens me.

This journey I go through,
New Life, new things to do,
I push to find the truth.
The Spirit Strengthens me.

And when this all is done,
the Spirit, Father, Son,
All come forth as one.

GOD, MY STRENGTH AND MY REDEEMER

he people changed, the food changed, the culture changed, the language changed, and in an instant, my life changed, dramatically forever. On May 31st, 2007, my daughter and I left a flourishing, magnificent city, Beijing, the capital of China, to come to America. We left behind our family and friends to begin a new life in a beautiful but unknown and strange land called Virginia.

Now, 18 months later, I think about how much my life has changes since that time, and I can’t help but make comparisons between my two lives. As I think about my experiences in these very different countries, I realize I have lived two totally different lifestyles, and they deeply described two kinds of happiness for me.

In Beijing, I was able to spend most of my time at work everyday doing a job I loved very much. My work gave me money to hire people to clean and take care of my house and to do many of the things I now must do for myself. Although I enjoyed cooking, going out for dinner became a frequent part of my daily life, because it was inexpensive and fun to do. I didn’t need to drive a car because I could hire a private driver whenever I needed one. In Beijing, I felt very independent. I lived in a culture that was comfortable and familiar to me. I worked my own hours, made my own money, and felt in control of my life. I was free to manage my time as I wished.

When I came to America, my life changed very much. Although I gave up many of my "old" independences, other changes have made my life fulfilling in a new profound way. Here in America, I am still independent, but it is a different feeling of independence.

Living in America, I feel that now my body is much healthier than before. I think this is because I have more time to exercise and take care of myself. The place I love now is very different than before. In Beijing, I lived in a crowded high rise apartment community with many people sharing a beautiful but small outdoor area. Now, I live in my own house in the beautiful countryside of Virginia. The sky in Virginia is a type of blue that is "full of happiness". It isn’t clouded with the air pollution of big cities. We have a beautiful yard of our own that I enjoy everyday with my husband and daughter. I am learning to drive a car, which gives me a different feeling of independence. I am free to spend much of my time studying English without any external interruptions. This makes me very happy, because I like to learn. I also have enough time to walk with my daughter everyday in a very relaxed mood. Together, we watch the sun set over the mountains, which are often surrounded by fiery clouds in the evening sky.

What I realize now is that the kind of happiness I had always been hoping for came true when I came to America. I found my ideal husband, and because of him, my daughter and I have a whole and warm family, which is most important to me. I always hoped that my daughter could grow up in a family that was full of happiness and complete. My husband made my dream come true. My life in Beijing was joyful, busy, and satisfied me with many kinds of entertainments, but it was also incomplete. Even though I lost my favorite job when I came to America, I found another more complete kind of happiness.

Change is sometimes a very difficult thing. Although all my surroundings totally changed, and my life is very different than before, I have to say that I like this change very much, because of the new element it brought into my life; it is love, completed love.

Yes, I do like this change!

remember when I came to live in United States in this town, fivwe months ago. I was born in Bhutan, but lived before in Nepal in refugee camp for 17 years.

It was very difficult to live there because there was a small area with small houses almost like tents where all the refugees lived together. Our houses were made up of bamboo and straw. When there was a heavy rain, sometimes the rain came inside. We didn't have electricity and running water, so we used oil lamps and we carried water to drink, cook and wash.

I think it was probably because of the difficult life we refugees had then that life in United States is big change. Charlottesville is a small city, but in comparison with refugee camp, it's a big city. Everything is very different.

My first month living in Charlottesville I thought I could not do anything. Then I got a job in University in Fontaine Research Center. One little obstacle is with language because in Nepal I used to speak Nepali, except in school I had to read, write and talk in English. Here in any place you go to work, school, or to buy something you need to speak in English. Most of the schools in Nepal are in their language, but in our small city of Bhuanese refugees, we had school in English because the international organizations like UN, UNCHER, CARITAS looked over us and took care of us. I had studied English from very young, but the problem is I studied British English, which is different from American English. Now, I am getting used to American English.

Another situation in United States is how to drive a car. There I never used a car, but here it is very necessary to drive. In Bhutan as well as Nepal it is not necessary because all the people use the bus.

Most of the people of both countries have their own agriculture land but here only some of the people have agriculture land. In our country there was no separation of farming land and town area, but here there is separation of farming land from town. When I was in Bhutan, my family, too, had land for farming.

There are changes in my life that I had and now I like this city rather than my city, but on the other side, I miss my city, relatives, and my friends.

n my life, things happened, different things in different ways. In some cases, I allowed others to influence my self-esteem, high or low. I felt a lot of emotions, both bad and good. I couldn’t understand why I did that, but there was always something inside me telling me that it wasn’t right.

This was my past. I was living confused, and I never tried to work through those feelings or correct my mistakes. I remembered all the things I could have done when I was in my prime that I never did. I felt that I had missed many opportunities until a light came into my life. Before the light, however came the darkness.

Everything started one afternoon. While I was sleeping, I heard a voice that told me, "Wake up!" It was a police officer, telling me that I was under arrest for trespassing. When I opened my eyes I saw two people in front of me. "It really is the police," I said to myself as they put me in handcuffs.

After they told me my charges, I was frightened because I didn’t know exactly what would happen. Minutes after I was put into the receiving cells, I noticed the dirty sink. I felt my life slipping away, never to come back the same again. I started questioning, "Why would this happen to me. It was so unexpected", but it was all my fault.

I received God after reading the Bible one night in jail. I started to see that what was happening to me was not really bad at all. Everything I though could happen to me that could make me scared disappeared. This experience was not as bad as I thought it would be. Now, I see things differently and everything became good for me. I have the opportunity to take an English class, an art class, and to better myself. I am also taking Bible courses. Things I never did before in my life! Now, I exercise, read books, and I create pieces of artwork, sculptures, and pictures. I am no longer embarrassed of myself. Now I know that there is nothing I cannot accomplish.

To be in jail is something that can happen to anyone. I am telling you to keep the faith, and things will work out. I can see many different qualities I have, and the most important thing that I have is learned is that God is the answer. Open your heart and accept him, and he will make a change in your life.

Sometimes only when everything is dark in our lives can we see light. Only then can we see the light for what it is, the possibility for great change in our lives.

y story began when I came to America. I came to America on January 30th, 2008 and when I came the people walking to IRC told me if I was twenty years old, it would be difficult to go to high school. I was feeling bad. In my country I was a student. Now I'm happy because I take English class and if I speak good English, maybe I will study to go to college.

n 1982, Richmond, VA, she came into this world. When she was young, around age five, she remembers her mom doing drugs; getting so high that she would smoke off anythinglike a crack pipe or a soda can. Her mom would get high right in front of her. She has always felt unloved, unwanted, and that no one even cared. When she was eleven-years-old, she got raped trying to buy a Snickers, only twenty-seven cents short costing her, her virginity. Still feeling hurt, and unloved, she learned she was going to have a baby at age thirteen. She had a beautiful baby girl to feel so much love that no one could ever take away from her. But she was still in school, Grade Six, and there wasn’t anybody to play with her daughter. Thinking like a child, she had another child. She had another baby at fourteen-years-old, so she could have someone to play with. By this time, her oldest sister was getting high off of heroine. Her sister was getting so high that she sold their TV and air conditioner for crack cocaine and heroine. There wasn’t any food, clean clothes, any lights, or hot water. So, she had to sell her body to make sure that her children had clothes, food, water, milk, and Pampers. After about two months, she turns to one of her sister’s best friends, and she was told that foster care would be the best to help her and her children. Now, she’s in foster care living with someone she doesn’t even know, people telling her how to act, and how to take care of her children. Now, three months go by, and she’s been from foster home to foster home, group home after group home. She started to skip school to be with boys, smoke weed, and drink, and take pills. Guess why? Because no one wants a teenager that’s fifteen-years-old, but they did want her two beautiful daughters. She ends up running away after feeling so lonely. She got caught, and the group home she was living in put her in Juvenile Jail. She runs away again, but this time she’s gone for two years. She found a boyfriend to run away with. After two years of hiding, she’s now eighteen-years-old and she can be seen and begin to look for her two beautiful daughters. She went from being a child playing with toys, to a mother who would do any and everything for her children, to a whole new person. Now, she’s selling drugs day and night, and she’s able to help her mom become clean. She’s out there selling drugs, taking pills, smoking weed, and robbing people for money because she was lost in a life that she never would have thought would be hers. At this point, there was no one that could help her besides her guardian angel, that’s God. But that still didn’t stop her from selling. She kept on and on until six years went by, and now she’s locked up, sitting in prison, doing five years for two gun charges, cocaine and weed charges. If her angel wasn’t watching, her whole life could be given to prison for all the mistakes she made. But I must add, the girl who lives inside me is still there, and she cries out everyday and night. She has dreams about the past life. She wants to come out, but I keep fighting her. What would you do if the girl were locked inside you?

Life changes is great challenges of our life. Life changes means something happened which was miserables in someone’s life.

My unique challenges are written below. When I was in a refugee camp a fire incident occured on March 1st,2008. It was Saturday at 6:30 p.m. At the time, my family just finished dinner and we were playing Ludoman. People shouted "fire, fire," and we (people of camp) ran towards the fire. There was a big fire. No one could control it. I returned to my home, picked up my children, and moved muy family all out. After finished all huts(camp) by fire, we stayed near by forest under the small tents three months long. We made small bamboo and plastic huts which were helped by UNHCR. I gave lots of thanks to this organization.. I chose the 3rd country resettlement process, which was organized by IOM. I faced many interviews, and we have been arrived here two and a half months ago.

I’m facing many difficulties now, even than I’m trying a lot to habituate in United States. I gave lot of thanks from my internal heart to IRC, which is helping us here with our day to day life.

am a forty-three year old woman and incarcerated for the first time in my life. I started using drugs and alcohol at the age of eleven. And I have used them on and off my whole life, experimenting with every drug out there, trying to find that one that made me feel loved while blocking my pain. Well, I found that drug- Crack Cocaine. It destroyed my life in less than four year and almost ended it!

I am a mother of three boys; ages three, twelve, and twenty-three. I’ve been married and divorced twice. I'm working on my third marriage.

It wasn’t long after I got pregnant for the third time that I started smoking crack cocaine. I prayed to stop smoking crack. I was in denial while I was pregnant. I could not stop, but I did slow down. I had a healthy baby boy. Although he was healthy, I still didn’t see that as a blessing. I continued to get high. Then one day, I started stealing to get high. I got caught because I was no good at it. Even after I got charged with grand larceny, I still didn’t see that as a sign to stop using, but I was a little more careful about it. I got two years probation, two years DOC suspended. I continued smoking and dodging my probation officer because I knew if I gave a dirty urine that would be it. Sometimes, I didn’t report at all because I couldn’t stay clean long enough to give a clean urine. So, I just stopped calling my P.O., I didn’t go, moved away from my known address, and started smoking more. I got really depressed and suicidal. I checked myself into rehab, stayed thirty days, felt really good, called my P.O., and got on track for a week. Then I started using crack again. Then, they got me for a probation violation-absconding. I was sentenced to six month Detention and six months Diversion. While awaiting my approval in these programs, I prayed, "Let me get into the program so I can get help". I asked for God’s will. Well, He gave it to me, his will; because, you see, He felt like this is what it’s going to take for me to stay clean and get the help I need to live a normal life. He gave me the whole two years sentence to prison instead of one year of Detention and Diversion.

I have gotten closer to God while incarcerated, and my roommate is also a woman of God. I know it was God’s will to bring me to Fluvanna. That’s what it’s going to take for me to work on myself, continue serving the Lord, change my way of thinking, and fix me without drugs. Since I’ve been incarcerated, I’ve been reunited with two of my children. They come to visit me regularly. My middle child, I’m still working on that.

I have grown to hate crack cocaine now. It destroyed my life. I’m working on getting my GED. I go to a substance abuse program. I’m doing all I can to change my way of thinking and living. I’m taking full advantage of my stay here at Fluvanna-instead of looking at it as being a bad experience. It has really been one big change for me, and I thank God for sentencing me to two years of DOC. It has changed my life and who I am. I am forever grateful.

came to the USA in 2000. It was a very interesting experience. The way of the everyday life and cultural living are very different, so I went through some big life changes not just in everyday living but also in how I view life. In the USA, people are very polite, so my transformation has been easy. I have very good experiences where people have helped me in different situations from opening bank account to learning about credit history, buying cars, food, etc. My transformation is still in progress, but I feel very comfortable and happy about my decision to come to the USA. Life is good.

ife is like a puzzle. You start to think you’ve got it figured out, but it turns out that the solution is not always what you though it would be.

My whole life, I’ve thought about making a family. I would pray to the Lord to bless me with a family, and he did. My life was great for a while, but then I veered off my path and went down the road of addiction.

My wife would encourage me to get clean and do the right thing, but I would never listen. Addiction had control of me. Instead of doing the right thing, I would get angry. Now, I know what she told me was right and out of love. At the time, however I just didn’t listen.

Then, in the midst of my struggles, my wife dropped a bomb on me. "David, I’m pregnant", she announced. I know I had to change. This was what I had wanted my entire life. I had a chance and a reason to change my life. Once again, though, I let myself be diverted. After a D. U .I and hit and run charge, I ended up in jail one month before the birth of my daughter Samantha.

When I see the photos of Samantha that my wife sends me, I feel something inside that I have never felt before. It is the love that a father had for his child. Before, I thought about myself, and now I think about her. I need to change for her.

I now realize that there is a reason for my being here. I have found the Lord, and I now have help with my addiction and changing my way of life for my Lord and for my family.

God Bless you and pray for me.

Phil 4:13        I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Hi Chaplain,

I greet you in the name of Jesus the Christ. The baptism class was helpful. I’ve always wanted Jesus, but I wanted him in an easy way without me doing any work. I grew up a follower without any understanding. I heard about Jesus, but he was never in my heart until now. I don’t know what happened next with me, because I had a terrible teenage life. I just wish someone could have told me about the love of Jesus then, maybe, I would have been much kinder, joyful, loving, or maybe even faithful. I was so hateful, bitter, dishonest, and hopeless. I had an accident August 23, 1983. I remember being in total darkness and a loud (very loud) voice was saying to me that I had used his name in vain-Yeah! That was me! One to abuse God quickly - NOT anymore (Thank God). Anyway, while I was unconscious, I was begging for another chance. I told God all I wanted to do was sing, and I remember him reciting John 3:16 to me, and I joined in. Then I looked up after it felt like someone had poured some love from above into me. I asked the nurse "Was there a God?" She shook her head yes and said "yes". Then I heard a lady in the emergency room talking about me. She said, "That’s the girl who was singing." I was unconscious to the world but singing in the presence of God. I don’t remember much, more but my sister came to the hospital to get me. As soon as I got home, I began to read the Bible. I didn’t believe in the existence of God until my accident. I wanted to get to know whomever it was that spoke the verse John 3:16 to me. I still had some doubts. I would read the word, would confess my sins, and then end up doing the same things over and over. Until one day about five months ago, I had a desire to follow God, . Tthen I had the desire to repent of all my sins. Do I have days when I am tested? Every day. There are still temptations in my life, . Bbecause of faith, I can endure it. Some people are so ignorant that if they don’t see God bless you with money then you’re a fake. I used to worry about what people thought. Not anymore. God is faithful I do believe he is holding me. I wish we could lift each other instead of looking down on each other. I used to be on a pity pot because of all the things that have happened to me. One day, I wished my little brother dead-;I didn’t mean it. I was just being an 11 year old -- he was 8. and later on that afternoon he got killed (he was crushed in a fence). Years later, I went to prison in New Jersey. My other brother was killed in Rikers Island. He was 23 years old. I was deeply depressed, and then my last brother died of AIDS. I was in Pocahontas. Eleven months later my oldest sister died on her birthday. Several years later, my dad died. I felt so lost. I felt lost, but you know in the past six months, I’ve given Jesus not just part of my life but all of my life. The Scriptures say that he is the resurrection. I believe that all who have died, he will bring to life. I believe he will bring my family back. I also want him to use me because I’ve been such a disappointment to him. Because of his forgiveness and my repentance, I have transformed my mind. I love the change in my life.

AMEN

hen I was 21, I decided to cross the border illegally from Tijuana, Mexico to have a better life and help my dad. I tried to cross but immigration agents took me back. I tried again with a group of 18 people, but immigration grabbed 16 of us. Another man and I escaped, and we joined with eight people. We walked until we saw headlights from a car ahead. I ran to one side,and the rest ran to the other. After an hour, I didn’t see anything.

I was lost and alone in the mountains. I had five flour tortillas and a small bottle of water. I was sad because I didn’t know what I was getting into. I walked all night. I saw two roads in front of me, and I thought a long time about which one to take. One was heading to the right, high up the mountain and the one heading to the left disappeared in the distance. I decided to take the left one. I believe I took the correct one because the next day I found help in a little town with beautiful houses.

There was an American woman with two children. I tried to ask her for something to drink, but I couldn’t speak English. I used hand signals, and she gave me water. Then she left. I didn’t even say "thanks" because I didn’t know how. I kept walking. At the last house in the town, there was a tree with a water hose beside it. I passed the tree, and then, I saw a helicopter flying straight at me. I ran back to the tree, grabbed the water hose and pretended I was watering the tree. The helicopter circled twice; but I never looked up.

After he left, I saw a house trailer in the distance. It took me about 45 minutes to get there. I knocked at the door, and two Spanish girls came out. I asked what the name of the place was. They wanted to know why, and I said, "because I’m lost." They said that it was Jamul, California. I was in the United States already! They asked what city I was going to, and I said, "Los Angeles." They helped me get to my cousin in Los Angles. When I got there, I felt completely different, and I said to myself," I will never come back into the United States illegally again.

My cousin paid my way, and he was supposed to pay me $100 a week after I paid off my debt. I worked for a year and a half; but I never saw a dollar. I ate only once a day because I didn’t have money. In October 1997, another cousin sent me money to buy a ticket to Virginia where he was. I started working in an apple orchard and then at a lumber company because it was better pay. I worked for more than eight years there. They helped me to achieve my dream to be legal. Now, I didn’t have to worry about being illegal anymore.

While I was working at the lumber company, a friend offered me a job with better pay and benefits. I thought about taking it for a few months, but I didn’t want to quit the lumber company. They had helped me to get my papers, and I felt very thankful. I decided to take the job, and I see that it’s better. I feel good, and they treat me well. Now, I know that "Yes, you can if you try."

I achieved my dreams of getting to the Unites States and getting residency, even though my cousin told me that it was impossible. But my future holds citizenship. I know I have to work hard, read, and speak better, but I think I will get through.

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he shimmering light of the dawn turns the blue waters to gold
The clouds dissipate as the warmth of the heavens adorns us
The glimmer of the rising sun is a blinding site to behold
Only to be eclipsed by the inevitable dusk

The predictability of this pattern is without measure
And yet the simplicity of it all astounds us

The first glimmer of understanding from a child’s eye
To articulation of his first steps
From the first time he asks why
Till the day of his last breath

The predictability of this pattern is without measure
And yet the simplicity of it all astounds us

From the moment of first eye contact
To our first touch and our first taste
For the love we sign with our blood on this contract
To the packing of bags and the making of haste

Once again the predictability of this pattern is without measure
And yet the simplicity of it all astounds us

From the light at the end of a long tunnel
To the weightlessness you’ve been longing for
For sorrows now taken away being only second to all your troubles
But do you truly know what’s behind the door

For what you predict may not come to fruition
And the pattern you seek may be out of scope
For all possibilities you should never be dismissive
It’s not death at your door
It’s hope

will tell you a little about myself... I am a hard-working woman. I have struggled everyday of my life, without any help from my family, though sometimes I get help from my friends. I also like to play different kinds of sports. My goal this year is to get my driver’s license and then get a car. Sometimes, I don’t like to be around a lot of people, but I still get along with them. I have a big family, whom I see sometimes, but in the past eight years, I have lost a lot of loved ones. This has meant a lot of time lost with them. One recent, lost loved one meant a lot to me. I think the Lord is letting me go back to school to get my G.E.D. After getting my G.E.D., I would like to go to massage school. I don’t have any kids. I would love to have one before getting too old. Over the holidays, I had a good time. I am walking for exercise. I love to walk. The weather has been cold and rainy. You have a Happy New Year. I always do my homework that Ms. Allen gives me. School is okay. I like to do different things in the classroom. This is a new year. I am starting it right by going to school, working, and trying to make more money. I have asthma and knee trouble that I want to go away. Regarding school and this program, I know I need more writing, reading and math practice. That is another goal this year. Also, I want to try to make it in life by myself. It is hard, but I am going to make it. And, I am happy to have found this school so I can get my G.E.D. I feel good about myself. This is all I have to say. Thank you.

n Sudan I worked in a restaurant. In Charlottesville I also work in a restaurant. In Sudan it was a big and busy restaurant in the capital city of Khartoum. We served lamb and chicken, beef, rice, and tomatoes. I cook the food.

ake my hand and join me in a fantasy land
Full of ice princesses and castles made of sand
Where horses can fly through the sky
And the old but young at heart never die
Come with me to a place where dreams come true
Where springs sprout fountains of punch and Mountain Dew
Dance with fairies in a magical place
Filled with beauty, wonder, and grace
Entertain giants with a festive number
While mythical creatures in caves slumber
Take my hand, and join me in a fantasy land
Where nothing you know is everything you understand
Full of pickled pearls
And laughing boys and girls
Things you can’t believe
Or could ever conceive

n my homeland of Afghanistan, I worked from 2002 to 2006 with United States-Medical Command projects as coordinator. The highly professional work practices I saw inspired me to find a career in public health.

I supervised a team of 12.Nine with medical backgrounds and three non medical. We coordinated with United States Medical Command mentors and the Afghanistan Office of the Surgeon General counterparts.

This experience gave me a vast opportunity to improve my English, attend many international conferences and, financially allowed me to study public health.

I was more interests to work in poor areas and to help change people’s lives, so I will tell about the recent work, that I was doing before coming to the USA.

Integrated Mother and Child Health and Nutrition is a program in which I participated in a team of three medical personnel from the central health center, went once a month to remote villages, and joined local health workers in providing primary health care.

IMCHN program supports the mother and child a package of health services. In most of the impoverished, remote locations, there are some health services, like immunization for mothers and children. However, the morbidity and mortality were not reduced. Some mothers died of malnutrition and children died from diarrhea.

IMCHN was copied from a successful program implemented in Indonesia.

IMCHN works in remote areas as a trained team. The staff of five includes:

• The Community HealthSupervisor responsible for providing OPD services for mothers and children. He is also team leader.
• The Midwife works in a team, handling primary health care for mothers and infants (antenatal, postnatal, family planning, other responsibilities include deworming, dispersing vitamins and nutritional counseling for women and young children.)
• The Vaccinator provides vaccines for mothers and children.
• The Male Community Health Worker informs the local community one day before the arrival of the IMCHN team.
• The Female Community Health Worker works to register clients for the midwife and also educates women and refers them to the clinic for delivery and other emergencies.

The important issue about this work is that a lot of women, who were not able to receive any midwifery support, could easily get it. Also, the children, who need to be assessed for required vaccines, receive it as a comprehensive package.

The most things that most interested me werewhich interest me was that working with very vulnerable people, who were in a needy condition. By providing these services it could save a lot of lives.

The two community health workers in each village, are the first responders for villagers. They are trained at the provincial level by CHW trainers.

An interesting challenge I faced was community mobilizing and obtaining fund grants for public health projects from the Provincial Reconstruction Team.

The communities welcomed our support. Religious and family leaders helped us give sensitive primary health care services, such as family planning and, women’s vaccines against Tetanus disease.

Some of the elders and religious leaders had weird perceptions about women’s pregnancy complications. They believed that complications come from fate and also tries to keep people from seeking the ways in which they could prevent it. Our job is to give village leaders and family leaders different ideas regarding birth control and pregnant care. We work with them, and they start to mobilize the district people and become a role models for other districts.

As we built the community councils, they recognizef other problems and tried to solve them. They got funds from donors, and it was the best story that I faced. What I liked to see was the turnaround of opponents to our program, who eventually promoted our program.

he best time of my life was when we lived on Wilton Farm. I loved living there. We moved to Charlottesville when I was nine, and everything went downhill. In the third–grade, a new girl came, and she thought because she was new that she could talk about me. My cousin and I fought her and got suspended. She never messed with us again.

I’ve been to court approximately thirty times, but I’ve always manages to get myself back together before I was sent to Blue Ridge. My license got suspended six months after I got it. I know I’ve put my mom through a lot, but that’s why I’m trying to stop getting into trouble.

I got my life together when I was sent to the alternative school for the fourth time. It clicked in my head that life is too short. I need to set an example for my twelve-year-old sister and my seventeen-month-old sister. So, I came to the Adult Education Center’s classes and began to work toward getting my G.E.D. because I knew I didn’t have enough credits with which to graduate next year. I’m going to try very hard to keep up and do my work to get my G.E.D.

n 2008 I bought a house. It is a four-bedroom house with two bathrooms and two-car garage. I like to barbecue in my backyard.

pril 16, 1999 was the day my life changed forever. That was the last day I saw my sister alive. She was not only my sister, but my best friend, too. If only I would have known that she was going to be taken out of my life so soon, I would have spent and cherished every moment with her. I hold a lot of memories in my heart; memories that we shared together when we were growing up. As we got older, we stopped spending time together and started going our separate ways. I think that’s what hurts the most. I feel I didn’t spend enough time with her to let her know how much I loved and cherished her. However, deep down n her heart, she already knew how much I loved her, even if I didn’t show or spend that much time with her. Since that day, I have been staying close to my family and friends.

y husband and I were traveling to Egypt. On our way to Egypt, we passed through the Red Sea as traveled by ship. It was a beautiful adventure.

We lived in Egypt about a year and a half. We had a son; he was a year and a half at that time. Then, I found out I was pregnant with my second child. The life in Egypt was a bit hard because finding a job wasn’t easy. There was not enough work around. I worked as a housekeeper, and my husband worked selling perfumes. This is what most people did. We struggles a bit, because we had to live with three families. Each family had about three kids. Also, the rent was high.

We met some of our friends there, and they told us about the U.N. office that helped people travel to the United States. We went there; they gave us some forms to fill out, and later they helped us. That’s how we came to the Unites States.

am in jail. I was going down the wrong path, hanging with the wrong people. One day, my so-called friends wanted to do something that was not called for. I went along with them. It turned out my so-called friends were using me. They put all the "dirt" on me.

One day, I said to myself, it’s time for me to change my life. I thought about a lot of things and people. I knew I should be careful when I pick my friends. Friends can turn their backs on you. I also felt that it is important to enjoy life because life is too short. Here in jail, I make a change almost every day.

I am from Newport News, Virginia. I moved to Charlottesville when I was seventeen years old because my mom found a good job at UVA. I did not want to move away from my old friends at all. But today, I’m glad my mom decided to move here. If had stayed in Newport News, I would have been in jail sooner or longer. Those friends in Newport News didn’t care about anything. They would hurt people for the fun of it. They stole cars just about every day. Today, one of them is doing life and has two kids. I think about that every day, because I have a three year old son. I am going to try my best to stay away from trouble, so I can be there for my child. I can’t imagine how it would be to grow up without ever having a dad.

When I moved to Charlottesville, I was used to my old ways. So being young, I kept hanging out with people who I would not call bad people, but they did not care about doing wrong. My younger brothers started doing what I was doing. I write and talk to my brothers often to explain right from wrong. They write me back and tell me they are doing well and making good grades in school and staying out of trouble, so they will not come to a place like this. I had been making good grades in school, too, but chose the wrong so-called friends. I guess I just wanted to be cool and stand out in school and on the streets. I am glad I am still young, so I can be a father and enjoy the rest of my life. Life is too short to waste.

really like to go to the gym; that is my favorite place. I try to go to the gym three times a week. Early morning is the best part of the day, when I want to go to the gym. My big reason, why I go to the gym? I try to lose a couple pounds. That is my goal and I hope I will reach it. Gym is a place where I feel very nice and the atmosphere in the gym is nice.

hen I think about what is important to me, I think about all my choices in life, both good and bad. I think about how my choices have brought me to where I am today. I think about how I lost my focus for years until I had an unexpected pregnancy.

My mother, whom I respect, is a strong woman who has been by my side through all my changes. She raised me to have respect, morals, and goals. As a teenager, I rebelled. I quit school to have a family. By the time I was 23, I had a husband/best friend, two daughters, and everything I could ask for. I was very happy, yet it still wasn’t enough for me. I left my life to do something different. What I discovered was a whole new world I thought I could handle. I became an exotic dancer living a glamorous life. I bought the best of everything I could ever want. I felt beautiful and powerful. Soon after, that led to addictive behaviors. My new addictions gave me choices I never thought I’d face. I lost my relationship with my daughters. Once again, I lost my life. I started going in and out of jails, which led to prison, where I sit today.

Today, I have a physical reminder of my unexpected life changing event - my youngest daughter. She has given me the motivation to be a better mother and make a relationship with my daughters. School is my first step–getting my GED. I am also involved in Narcotics Anonymous. I am setting more goals and planning ahead for when I am released. I thank God I am blessed to have a mother who stood by me through thick and thin and gave me the support and strength that I needed. Now, I am on the right track to finally becoming the woman I was raised to be - all because of an unexpected change.

y most important goal is to get my G.E.D. and to become a CNA. I would love to be a CNA within the next few years, so I will be able to help those who are not able to do everything for themselves.

Growing up, I’ve always wanted to be a nurse, so I decided to start off as a CNA and work my way up. As a girl, I used to play around with my sisters and brothers and act like I was treating them for some type of injuries. I used to also watch all kinds of television shows with doctors and nurses working on patients. I enjoyed watching those shows a lot; I always knew that this was what I wanted to do, but I had other things come my way growing up. That is why I had to put my dream on hold.

Now that I have more time, I’m going to go forward with my dreams and do what I’ve always wanted to do. Growing up, I was always like the mother of the family. I had to help around the house and always helped with my sisters and brothers. That was something I didn’t mind doing at all; helping with everything and everybody. Now, I am going to school to get my high school diploma that I didn’t get a chance to get when I was in school. I hope to get a well-paying job after I finish school, move on to a better place, and succeed in my career. There is no place now to go for a job without a diploma or G.E.D. It is hard these days without it.

ravel was my first trip in North Carolina. It was January 2nd this year. I went to where my family members live in North Carolina. I used my car, and it was my first time to use the G.P.S. I was thinking about the G.P.S, and how can I follow the indication from G.P.S. How can I know the way! When I finished the first highway, to another way I saw that is was very good to use the G.P.S.

I drove my car until I arrived at their house. In that, day I was very happy. They, too, were happy because they told me that is wonderful to know some where for the first time in America because there are many ways to get around.

ast year I lived in Canada for nine months. It's a very big city. More Chinese people lived there. I liked this city, Toronto. I lived there five months. I was very happy because I had more classmates and friends who lived there.

I liked that every day. I went to ESL school to learn English. After school I went with my friends to shop and drink coffee.

Then I moved to Calgary City. My husband's brother lived there. Clagary is very cold. That is a beautiful city. I had a beautiful house by the mountains. I lived there four months.

Finally I moved to the USA about six months ago. I'm a housewife now. Every day my husband goes to work. After, I stay home alone. I often watch TV. The TV speaks English. I don't understand most words. I was homesick. I had no job and no friends here. I miss my country. I know. I need to study English very hard.

These are my different lives.

had always enjoyed being with children, so I decided to start my own daycare. Unfortunately, as the years went by, it didn’t bring in enough money to support my family. It was then I realized that I needed my GED to get a better job.

I started the daycare to stay home with my two young boys. That way I could be the one to watch them grow. Having the daycare in my home worked well for all of us at the time. I was making money to support my family, and I was still there for my boys. I also felt it was good for my boys to have other children with whom to interact. I was getting to enjoy someone else’s children too.

As the years went by and the boys grew older started school, I discovered I needed to get more education because it was hard for me to help them with their school work.

Even though I loved the daycare and being with children, I knew I needed to make some changes in my life. In order to get a better job and to make money, I needed to get my GED.

hen people have grown up, they always create a set of priorities.

For me, I had always placed myself at the top of my priorities. Now I have begun to realize the importance of making others my priority.

This is because, for me, all the time my own needs came first. I started to work when I was young. And at the same time, I studied also, I practiced soccer; I played professional soccer for six years, but I injured myself. My dreams stopped for long time.

After that I decided to join the Army. During the three years there, I understood the reality in my country that guerillas were violating citizens human rights and terminated the lives of many people.

When back home, my sisters were grown and my parents were also totally different. At this point, I decided to stay home for a while, but my work prevented me from staying with them. Now I'm here in USA. I don't know how many years I will stay, but when I am back in my country, I will try to pay attention not not only to myself.

t was a pitch black February day
in 1998 with oh much cold.
I was walking all night and all day.
I was tired and hungry.
I was coming to the U.S.A.
I was thinking of how I needed to begin
my new life.
How I understand life in the U.S.A

stop and hold my breath
Wondering, what is left?
The path I can’t go on
Then God comes to save
And locks me inside this cage
At first I think this is hell
Until I realized I only fell
Now, it’s time to get back up
This place has taught so much
I know now I can be anything
A wife, a daughter, even a queen
Thank you, God, for the time I spent
It taught me what being a real women meant
I know now that life is worth so much more
I have so much to live for
This is what being here has taught me
My eyes are open, I can finally see
Thank you God,
For setting me free.

y life changed when Barack Obama became the first black Presidentof the United States of America. It was a very special day for me, because it was my birthday, November 4th. He's trying to get the American economy back on track by creating new jobs and giving tax cuts to the middle class. Obama is a man who is going to fight for our country. In the Iraq war, too many soldiers are dying for this country, and we need to bring our troops home. Another part of his plan is to help all children in their education.

Barack Obama is an intelligent man. He's a man who promises to change the world, and with our help, make it a better place. Barack Obama is trying his best to fix what was wrong before he became President. In the future, I hope that he'll make the best President that the world has ever had. It's time to make these changes and we picked the right man to do the job.

was at the Kenya airport. The workers of UNHCR gave me food because I was going to travel to the USA. I was taking an airplane at night. So I went to Switzerland to New York and in that travel I was very hungry because they gave me the different food from my food.

Now I eat American food and African food.