Nadine's first meal with her family

I have just come home from one of the most memorable experiences of my life!

It was my first visit to the house in Sherman Oaks Drive where Nadine's family is staying temporarily until they find a permanent home. It's a lovely two-storey house, new kitchen, freshly painted walls and plenty of beds for mother, father and 6 kids! I was warmly welcomed when I carried in the sticky rice and chicken! Beaming faces and brilliant white smiles told me that these people were hungry and ready to eat!

Nadine and her father and sister Justine (16) did most of the talking at table, Nadine was just so happy, her smile was permanent from the time I arrived until I left a couple of hours later. I tried to make myself inconspicuous while they ate so they could enjoy each other's company without my intrusion. The baby of the family snuggled onto Nadine's lap while she ate as though she'd known her all her life, even though they'd never met before. Mum was exhausted and didn't feel like eating so joined the table after the meal was finished to catch up on the conversation with Nadine and her father.

I took a couple of photos of them all at dinner with my phone, and after dinner entertained the kids in the living room with group shots of them in various poses - they got such a kick out of seeing themselves on my phone!! Unfortunately the TV and video didn't work so they couldn't watch anything. But they kept laughing and fooling around even though they must have been exhausted after 3 days and 5 different planes to get here from Tanzania!

I felt so privileged to witness this family together at last. Idris, their caregiver from Catholic Charities told me he had told Nadine he would take her back to her apartment at 8pm and she said "No, 10pm". She wasn't about to let go of her family so soon. So he and his wife and 6 month old baby were going to spend the evening there until it was time to leave and say a temporary goodbye to Nadine's family.

There's a lot of work to be done to get each of these individuals acclimatised to their new life in Silicon Valley. And together we can walk with them on their journey. And the first step is done - Nadine is reunited with her family. God be praised!