Helping a St. Ambrose Family – the Muhanyi family has a new home!
Posted on June 16, 2015
Shortly after a fire destroyed the Muhanyi family’s house in mid-June, a another St. Ambrose family, the Carlins, opened its doors and made room for Pastory Muhanyi, his wife Alphonsine and their 11 children. This past week the Muhanyis signed the lease on a new rental house, and Gracing Spaces, a ministry of Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Clifton, Virginia, supplied furniture, household goods, kitchen equipment and even bicycles for the family’s new home.
The Carlins spent much of their day helping the family for which they’ve already done so much, and just-retired St. Ambrose principal, Barbara Dalmut, lent a hand. David Culver, St. Ambrose Class of 2001 and NBC 4 reporter, was on hand to document the day for local TV viewers. See “Church Ministry Furnishes New Home of Family of 13 Displaced by Fire” on the NBC 4 web site for his report.
Dear St. Ambrose families,
Before school ends and we all part for the summer – or perhaps forever – I felt it important to send along my greetings to you.
My house is 13x busier these days, but I love the constant buzz in my kitchen! The Muhanyis are well fed and well clothed, thanks to all of you. I am not sure if I will ever be able to remember or pass along each name to Pastory and Alphonsine…So on behalf of the Muhanyi family as well as my own family, I would like to express deep gratitude for the outpouring of food and/or meals, home and baby supplies, bedding, clothing, toys, and financial offerings. Your thoughtfulness, generosity, and especially continued prayers offer abundant joy in this tragic season. If you saw the recent News4 video clip, you heard Alphonsine express that our St.Ambrose community gives her STRENGTH My fridge is full, their suitcases are filling up, and our hearts are overflowing. When people ask me if I am overwhelmed, I say YES. But I’m not overwhelmed because of the extra people or buffet dinner lines or constant laundry. My “Love Bucket” is overwhelmingly full – often to the point of tears welling up – and I have all of you to thank for that.
The “ride” is not over, and in the coming week or two you may be called upon again as we salvage what we can from the home, look for furniture, appliances, and home goods, and help the Muhanyis establish a new rental home. In that time, I know the St. Ambrose Family of Love will be ready for the call to action. It really does take a village, and we are all thankful for the St. Ambrose VILLAGE!
Just in: We need a truck to help pick up some furniture today or tomorrow. If you have a truck, and /or a place for the Muhanyis to store some furniture for a short time, please let us know!
Sincerely,
Mitzi Carlin
Click here to donate to the Muhanyis’ GoFundMe Account