GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A Congolese family stepped off a plane Thursday at Gerald R. Ford International Airport to start a new life after spending the past 16 years in a refugee camp in Burundi.
The family was welcomed with hugs and flowers by a group of 20 former refugees and workers from Bethany Christian Services and the Fifth Reformed Church.
“It’s the first day of the rest of their lives,” said Fifth Reformed Church volunteer Dave Lover.
Lavers said the church is working with Bethany Christian Services to help refugees adjust to life in the United States.
“Our church has welcomed 75 people from seven different countries and has been doing this for five and a half years,” Lubber explained.
The group provides refugees with services such as financial assistance, housing and travel to see a doctor.
“We spend a lot of time with them,” Lavers said. “We give them a tour of western Michigan. We invite them to our church.”
Emotions ran high for all present when a Congolese family was welcomed at Ford Airport.
“They just mean a lot to me,” Lavers said. “I know them. I know many of these people. I’ve heard some of their stories. I know what they’ve been through.”
