Original Post
All information we have on the family is that they are originally from Afghanistan, and are currently in Russia. The parents speak Dari, Russian, Pashtu, and “some” English. Both parents are both 24, and they have two sons, ages three and one.
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We will continue to keep this page updated as we learn more about the family.
July 20th Update:
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Today we learned the names of the family members:
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Mother: Maryam Zalmai Hotak
Father: Khaibar Hotak
3 yo: Mirwais Lemar Khaibar
1 yo: Ilyas Khaibar
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Update August 8, 2016:
The Hotak family are refugees from an urban setting. Their culture appears primarily Russian with an ethnic underlay of Afghan Muslim.
The couple is very modern in many ways and display a great deal of confidence in their actions and mannerisms. Additionally, the Khaibar & Maryam are open to and enjoy sharing about themselves and their families. These personality traits will serve both of them well as the assimilate into the U.S. Culture.
The family's English is very limited. The ministry team has been using google translate and gesturing to pierce the language barrier with the family this week. As more formal studying has recently began for the family, and we are looking forward to communicating more with the English language and less with technology.
The boys appear to be adjusting very well. Mirwais was sold on this new home the minute he saw his new toy trucks and toy box. Ilyas, when not in his mom’s arms, loves to explore, and he is slowly adjusting to the idea of his new car seat.
We look forward to having some photos posted of the family in the upcoming weeks.
The ministry team has invited the family to join us for the parish picnic on August 25th. We hope you will introduce yourself to the family and welcome them into our community.