On a Street Called Hasti Acres

This morning, Andrew and I had the pleasure of having breakfast with Chris Wulfekuehler. Who is Chris Wulfekuehler? Let's see ... where do I start?

Let's go back to 1974. It's the year my family came to the United States. Here's a photo of Chris with me and my two older brothers.

And here's Chris (below) with his older siblings, Deb and Dave, and their parents, Ed and Marilyn. The Wulfekuehler family is the family that sponsored the Doh family in our journey as immigrants to the United States.

This family opened up their home to us, allowed us to live with them for months as we found our footing. So many memories I have. One memory was that I had major dental problems when I arrived, causing me to undergo intense oral surgery to repair my teeth. I remember Ed transporting me and my mom to and from the dental surgeon, carring me in and out of his station wagon, as I recovered from surgery. I remember Marilyn helping me get better. To the least of these it is love they gave.

We arrived in August and in September, my brothers and I were enrolled in the local elementary school: Amy B. Seibert school. There was a girl in my class. Her name was Andrea. She used to bully me and slap me. No teacher intervened. I complained about it to my parents and the next day, Marilyn came with me to school. Once we got there, she asked me, "Where's Andrea?" I pointed her out and Marilyn went up to her. I don't know what she said. I think I was in earshot but I still didn't know how to speak English. But whatever Marilyn said ... well ... Andrea never slapped me again.

This is the house that we were part of during our first months as an immigrant family. On a street called Hasti Acres. The house that to me will always represent the gateway to America. Where I learned about Fourth of July block parties, about the traditions of Halloween, about an audacious family who through what may seem like a small act of sponsoring and welcoming an immigrant family into their lives, provided profound leadership to a community about the meaning of tolerance, acceptance, friendship, and love.

Comments

[Tracy Schultz]

Isn't it amazing that the street you live on could possibly be the gateway to someone else's freedom; that your arms can embrace strangers and that your words can defend those who are (temporarily) without a voice? Thank you for reminding us of the true reason to celebrate this holiday...independence that begins within and is proved when demonstrated by our actions! Bravo to the Wulfekuehler who loved with both actions and words! Jenny I'm so glad they brought you & your family to America!

[~amy~]

What a wonderful post...The Wulfekuehler family sound absolutely magnificent...thanks for sharing your story.

[diane cook]

Jenny...this is such a beautiful story. One everyone should hear, including me.
What a blessing they made in you & your family's lives....simply amazing, to say the least =)

[Maurine]

Happy you could connect with him.

I love that photo of you, Jim, Jinil & Chris. I don't remember ever seeing it. I like how you have your hand positioned on the table. Even at 7 (?) you still held yourself like an adult :)

[Michelle]

Thank you for sharing this lovely story. I wonder if there are still "family sponsor" opportunities these days - what good we could all do to open our homes and hearts.