Dear good friends,

Ahmed’s and Mustafa’s gentleness and bravery on this journey are totally amazing. Please feel free to get to know them. They were so moved by the warmth of the airport welcome and by the number of people who were there. I think we will all find it very easy to fall in love with them! Their story is so important to tell: here is this absolutely beautiful little boy whose injuries are extremely serious. It will be very moving to see this project evolve to tell Mustafa’s and Ahmed’s story AND to be a community that helps them heal.

A special thank you goes out to the members of the Iraqi community who have been so amazingly generous with their time, love, interpretation, meals and concern for Mustafa and Ahmed.

Yesterday he had two appointments. The first was to get immunizations. He needed 5 shots, and it was totally not a fun experience for him. The staff at the Immunization Clinic were advised that he was coming yesterday. They were so kind to him. They took up a collection and bought him a huge remote control car!!!

He also met with Dr. Zallen, pediatric surgeon at Shriner’s, who is cautiously optimistic that something can be done for Mustafa’s bowel injuries.

It’s time for get-togethers with Ahmed and Mustafa. Bring children! Set up play dates. Just so you don’t make a trip to Ronald McDonald House only to find that someone else has taken them to the zoo (!), if you can, call Maxine or Ned and we’ll try to keep track of their whereabouts and set up get-togethers. If there is an organized person out there who would like to help coordinate Mustafa’s schedule, let us know!

Maxine’s cell 503-381-7465
Ned’s cell 503-381-7011
Maxine & Ned home 503-234-3501

And let us know if you can bring dinners to them next week. They should be vegetarian or fish meals.

Also, the Bilal Mosque has offered to host a community gathering with Mustafa as soon as Ramadan is over. Stay tuned!

Thanks so much!!!

Ned Rosch and Maxine Fookson