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The Advent season is a celebration of the coming of the Prince of Peace. Some Sunday thoughts on the third week of Advent.
Timestamps, Topics, & Resources
00:00- Intro
🎄 Advent & Faith Discussion
- Exploring the theme of peace during the Advent season
- Insights from “Light in the Darkness” devotional study with Charlotte Thomason
- Understanding true love vs. manipulation in relationships
- Finding inner peace amid external chaos
- Personal journey through academic challenges and ministry work
🌟 Key Ministry Updates
- Ongoing support for Afghan Christians through immigration assistance
- Partnership with Don Shire Ministries International (donshireministries.org)
- Weekly Bible studies and support for displaced Afghans
- Fundraising initiatives for refugee assistance
02:42- Identifying what love is
“If you don’t know what love is, it’s hard to express it to other people and it’s also hard to identify what love is. As we learn more about who God is and his love for us, we can better identify it in other people too.” – C.M. Alvarez
“When we recognize something that isn’t love, we should identify it for what it is.” – C.M. Alvarez
8:43- God and the Answer to the Problem of Evil
“Either the day must come when joy prevails and all the makers of misery are no longer able to infect it, or else, for ever and ever, the makers of misery can destroy in others the happiness they reject for themselves.” C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce
“Jesus is called the Prince of Peace because he brings peace within us, even when our circumstances aren’t necessarily peaceful.” – C.M. Alvarez
Bible study on John 1 and the abyss in Genesis 1
11:52- Calm in the middle of the storm
14:07- Learning to have peace in the middle of chaos
21:29- Afghanistan News
🌍 Pakistan Refugee Crisis
- Deportation threats against Afghan refugees
- Visa complications and financial challenges
- Money transfer restrictions
- Impact on documented refugees
@RaisedtoWalk If the goal was solely about the party in power at a particular moment, this is true. But it was not. 20 years of free thought & open opportunity to all tribes has changed the people & the country. Afghanistan will never be the same. It’s a matter of time before the Taliban falls
== If you ever feel useless, remind yourself that it took 20 years, 2 trillion dollars, and 4 US presidents to replace the Taliban with the Taliban.
If the goal was solely about the party in power at a particular moment, this is true. But it was not. 20 years of free thought & open opportunity to all tribes has changed the people & the country. Afghanistan will never be the same. It's a matter of time before the Taliban falls https://t.co/Es3H0cncp8 pic.twitter.com/4mCUQPiVON
— Carla Sallee Alvarez – Raised to Walk (@RaisedtoWalk) December 17, 2023
@knazary 🧵UN reports confirm guerrilla attacks have been on the rise in #Afghanistan but the #US continues its alignment with Taliban terrorists as opposed to the people, including and especially “left-behind allies.” We must relentlessly expose & challenge these sheer hypocrisies. (1/4)
==Kumayl Jan, wishing for the US to change policy while knowing they have chosen Taliban as their partners is not the way. They are not reliable & worthy partners anymore. They won’t change.
🧵UN reports confirm guerrilla attacks have been on the rise in #Afghanistan but the #US continues its alignment with Taliban terrorists as opposed to the people, including and especially “left-behind allies.” We must relentlessly expose & challenge these sheer hypocrisies. (1/4) https://t.co/TzBf2IwM0D
— Kumayl Yusuf (@knazary) December 18, 2023
@TajikResistance The National Resistance Front of Afghanistan eliminated 3 Taliban terrorists and injured 6 more in #Parwan and #Kapisa province.
The National Resistance Front of Afghanistan eliminated 3 Taliban terrorists and injured 6 more in #Parwan and #Kapisa province. #StandWithNRF https://t.co/KykDLLGzOl
— PANJSHIRI (@TajikResistance) December 17, 2023
@Qaisalamdar #Afghanistan | In a change of tactic,
@NRFafg claimed multiple attacks on the Taliban positions in Kapisa and Parwan provinces last night. Unlike AFF, another resistance group, the NRF uses night vision, as seen in their recent videos.
As a result around 10 Taliban were killed or injured.
#Afghanistan | In a change of tactic, @NRFafg claimed multiple attacks on the Taliban positions in Kapisa and Parwan provinces last night. Unlike AFF, another resistance group, the NRF uses night vision, as seen in their recent videos.
As a result around 10 Taliban were… pic.twitter.com/lMKz9h79Pw
— Qais Alamdar (@Qaisalamdar) December 17, 2023
@amanpour 15-year-old Arzo was once a carefree and fun-loving teenager. Now she’s fighting for her life after drinking battery acid to escape reality. @CNN correspondent
@amcoren reports on the surging suicides in Afghanistan under misogynistic Taliban rule.
15-year-old Arzo was once a carefree and fun-loving teenager. Now she’s fighting for her life after drinking battery acid to escape reality. @CNN correspondent @amcoren reports on the surging suicides in Afghanistan under misogynistic Taliban rule. pic.twitter.com/VPzDCFlTWo
— Christiane Amanpour (@amanpour) December 16, 2023
@SIGARHQ (1/2) #StateDept: “financial assistance gives at-risk journalists and civic actors the ability to continue to earn incomes and support their families, even if they do not feel comfortable going into their workplaces or doing fieldwork…
(1/2) #StateDept: “financial assistance gives at-risk journalists and civic actors the ability to continue to earn incomes and support their families, even if they do not feel comfortable going into their workplaces or doing fieldwork…
— SIGAR (@SIGARHQ) December 19, 2023
Utterly disgusting. Just as bad as the NGOs that go to Pakistan, take pictures with Afghan refugees so they can fundraise off of them, and then ghost them. 👈Heard about that this morning
Utterly disgusting. Just as bad as the NGOs that go to Pakistan, take pictures with Afghan refugees so they can fundraise off of them, and then ghost them. 👈Heard about that this morning https://t.co/9K8LGdkmwr
— Carla Sallee Alvarez – Raised to Walk (@RaisedtoWalk) December 18, 2023
@StephanAJensen These know-nothing “influencers” running around Afghanistan to propagandize on behalf of the Taliban are absolute scum.
In return for their “fun trips,” they carry water for a totalitarian terrorist movement hell-bent on destroying the lives of 20 million girls and women.
== Western Youtubers are being used (or let themselves being used-) by the #Taliban to promote a happy and ‘safe’ #Afghanistan.
Bloggers with 500.000 up to 5 million followers are being invited to put an image online that Afghanistan is the safest country in the world…
== They are being paid by the Taliban to tell a very positive story.
They never mention the killings, never show the fact that woman are being mistreated and are visited at their hotel by the GDI (#Taliban intelligence) every day who tell them what to do/say.
Its sickening.
These know-nothing "influencers" running around Afghanistan to propagandize on behalf of the Taliban are absolute scum.
In return for their "fun trips," they carry water for a totalitarian terrorist movement hell-bent on destroying the lives of 20 million girls and women. https://t.co/Ocl8o6lRVL— Stephan Jensen (@StephanAJensen) December 18, 2023
I don’t know which is most upsetting: getting 4 am WhatsApp calls from Afghans with @Refugees certifications who were deported anyway bc their child is sick or finding out parents haven’t been eating so they can pay the tuition for their children to go to school in Pakistan.
I don't know which is most upsetting: getting 4 am WhatsApp calls from Afghans with @Refugees certifications who were deported anyway bc their child is sick or finding out parents haven't been eating so they can pay the tuition for their children to go to school in Pakistan.
— Carla Sallee Alvarez – Raised to Walk (@RaisedtoWalk) December 18, 2023
This was very likely instigated by creeps who are after women who don’t want them
This was very likely instigated by creeps who are after women who don't want them https://t.co/Y7FTivjBSJ
— Carla Sallee Alvarez – Raised to Walk (@RaisedtoWalk) December 18, 2023
@Punk319 In no country on the planet is this done. Not even in Islamic countries, where Sharia has been present for years, is this done.
== Women in Afghanistan are being sent to prison by the Taliban — claiming it’s to protect them from the threat of gender-based violence.
This is a gross manipulation of human rights, using the guise of ‘protection’ to further oppress and control women.
In no country on the planet is this done. Not even in Islamic countries, where Sharia has been present for years, is this done. #EndTalibanRuleInAfghanistan https://t.co/RjSGx5LU58
— Punk31 (@Punk319) December 18, 2023
@timuridtimurid In fact, this is a scheme to take women into their gang rape centers.
In fact, this is a scheme to take women into their gang rape centers.
— Timurid تیموری (@timuridtimurid) December 18, 2023
@Punk319 In the Taliban’s Afghanistan, women and girls are turned into being the victims for fleeing gender-based violence.
Prior to the Taliban’s return, there were safe houses for women and girls; most if not all of these were closed down shortly after the Taliban returned to power.
== Afghanistan’s Taliban is the only place where a woman fleeing violence will be imprisoned instead of being protected. The UN quotes the Taliban as saying, “The Islamic Emirate does not have any shelters for women. They must stay with their husbands or other male family members – their mahram.” The report further notes that “in instances where there are safety concerns for a woman, she will be sent to a women’s prison for her protection.”
In the Taliban's Afghanistan, women and girls are turned into being the victims for fleeing gender-based violence.
Prior to the Taliban's return, there were safe houses for women and girls; most if not all of these were closed down shortly after the Taliban returned to power. https://t.co/01iLz19R8V
— Punk31 (@Punk319) December 14, 2023
@Punk319 Now stick to it! No more letting the Taliban go abroad for “medical treatment”, which they use as an excuse to parade around their visited country.
== The United Nations Security Council renewed for another year the mandate of the team overseeing sanctions against the Taliban and their affiliates.
Now stick to it! No more letting the Taliban go abroad for "medical treatment", which they use as an excuse to parade around their visited country. https://t.co/suHUNHEBoU
— Punk31 (@Punk319) December 14, 2023
December 15, 2023: UN Security Council extends mandate of team monitoring Taliban sanctions
https://amu.tv/76104/
@Punk319 Hence, the claims made by the interim Afghan government about not allowing its territory to be used against Pakistan are meaningless.
Hence, the claims made by the interim Afghan government about not allowing its territory to be used against Pakistan are meaningless.https://t.co/yKKVquml9S
— Punk31 (@Punk319) December 17, 2023
December 17, 2023: Afghan interim govt is arming not only Taliban but also other terror groups
https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/778281-Afghan-interim-govt-is-arming-not-only-Taliban-but-also-other-terror-gro
@Punk319 The Secretary General of the United Nations, while presenting a report to the Security Council, said that the political opposition in exile has become more active in challenging the Taliban in domestic and foreign issues, despite being scattered.
The Secretary General of the United Nations, while presenting a report to the Security Council, said that the political opposition in exile has become more active in challenging the Taliban in domestic and foreign issues, despite being scattered. https://t.co/rvWgJ6oCm4
— Punk31 (@Punk319) December 16, 2023
@RaisedtoWalk This reminds me of Texas where a judge just ruled that private companies providing public utilities don’t actually have to provide those utilities
== For 4 months the Taliban blocked off Salang Pass Tunnel that connects to North in pretext that they are building it. There was no construction in the Salang Pass Tunnel
They just removed the Persian-Farsi name & painted it white & put up their own language & cut off electricity
This reminds me of Texas where a judge just ruled that private companies providing public utilities don't actually have to provide those utilitieshttps://t.co/1nCocw89na https://t.co/PR0cixBKFJ
— Carla Sallee Alvarez – Raised to Walk (@RaisedtoWalk) December 17, 2023
@Punk319 There is NO WAY the U.S./UN isn’t giving the Taliban money, and there is NO WAY the Taliban isn’t finding a way to get to the money that is sent to Afghanistan.
== Video: Karen Decker, Chargé d’Affaires of the US Mission to Afghanistan, on the sidelines of the Doha Forum, told #TOLOnews that Afghanistan is the only country in the world that “does not allow girls to go to school.”
“The Taliban should be guided by what the Afghan people say they want, and the international community must listen to what the Afghan people say,” she said.
There is NO WAY the U.S./UN isn't giving the Taliban money, and there is NO WAY the Taliban isn't finding a way to get to the money that is sent to Afghanistan. https://t.co/0m2xPsB9la
— Punk31 (@Punk319) December 11, 2023
@ZiauddinY In taliban’s ruled Afghanistan, women can get tools for farming but they are not allowed to learn farming in universities. Indeed, misogyny is a mental sickness and these social behaviours are its symptoms.
In taliban’s ruled Afghanistan, women can get tools for farming but they are not allowed to learn farming in universities. Indeed, misogyny is a mental sickness and these social behaviours are its symptoms.#RecogniseGenderApartheid#CrimeAgainstHumanity#LetAfghanGirlsLearn pic.twitter.com/KX1K4zBB78
— Ziauddin Yousafzai (@ZiauddinY) December 16, 2023
@StephanAJensen Taliban: X-rays of a woman’s *broken bones* resulting from her husband’s repeated, vile abuse isn’t evidence of anything if he promises he didn’t do it.
Madness and evil go hand in hand.
== This is the ‘justice’ system of the #ISI backed Taliban in #Afghanistan. They ask the accused about the crime & believe whatever he says
Taliban: X-rays of a woman's *broken bones* resulting from her husband's repeated, vile abuse isn't evidence of anything if he promises he didn't do it.
Madness and evil go hand in hand. https://t.co/Y52LGbBz1j— Stephan Jensen (@StephanAJensen) December 11, 2023
@StephanAJensen Self-entitled & pathological pascifism in the West already let the Taliban win in Afghanistan, is threatening to give Putin a massive hand in Ukraine, and the Chinese a free pass on Taiwan.
We cannot let it.
Self-entitled & pathological pascifism in the West already let the Taliban win in Afghanistan, is threatening to give Putin a massive hand in Ukraine, and the Chinese a free pass on Taiwan.
We cannot let it. pic.twitter.com/Wpx3VfjYmN
— Stephan Jensen (@StephanAJensen) December 17, 2023
@StephanAJensen 🇦🇫 The Taliban’s rule is so profoundly life-denying that increasing numbers of women in Afghanistan would rather die than continue living under their tyranny.
This is what happens when we stop supporting those who fight for freedom and let the forces of darkness take over.
== #PakProxy Taliban has banned education and everything that brings joy and makes life worth living. This poor teenager did not drink battery acid out of choice but she was forced to take this extreme step. 1/2
🇦🇫 The Taliban's rule is so profoundly life-denying that increasing numbers of women in Afghanistan would rather die than continue living under their tyranny.
This is what happens when we stop supporting those who fight for freedom and let the forces of darkness take over. https://t.co/YfpnFpkUxv
— Stephan Jensen (@StephanAJensen) December 17, 2023
@RaisedtoWalk Because they are beaten, arrested, and even killed if they don’t say the proper prayers.
The Taliban have the same attitude as Trump
== The Taliban Minister of Higher Education, in a speech, states that there is no other sect of Islam in Afghanistan except the Hanafi. He completely rejects the presence of the Shia sect, which constitutes about 10 to 15 percent of Afghanistan’s population.
Since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, attacks on the Shia community in Afghanistan have increased, according to United Nations reports.
Because they are beaten, arrested, and even killed if they don't say the proper prayers.
The Taliban have the same attitude as Trumphttps://t.co/YoPh9KnO77 https://t.co/qtSBhiqzCe
— Carla Sallee Alvarez – Raised to Walk (@RaisedtoWalk) December 17, 2023
@AfghanAnalyst2 The 𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙗𝙖𝙣’s Minister of Higher Education, Sheikh Neda Mahammad Nadeem, asserted that 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗳𝗴𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗱𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗳𝗶 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗵𝗮𝗯.
This echoes the stance of other Taliban leaders, including the Supreme Leader and Chief Justice, who also emphasize Hanafi Madhab as the sole official school of thought in Afghanistan.
The leadership of the Taliban consistently disregards or minimizes the presence of the Shia school of thought in the country.
The 𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙗𝙖𝙣's Minister of Higher Education, Sheikh Neda Mahammad Nadeem, asserted that 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗳𝗴𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗱𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗳𝗶 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗵𝗮𝗯.
This echoes the stance of other Taliban leaders, including the Supreme Leader and… pic.twitter.com/DSECCA5Ekx— Afghan Analyst (@AfghanAnalyst2) December 17, 2023
@Punk319 John Bolton, the former national security advisor of the United States, says that Donald Trump knows that his negotiations with the Taliban were a mistake and now he is worried about it.
Bolton asked the U.S. not to recognize the Taliban.
John Bolton, the former national security advisor of the United States, says that Donald Trump knows that his negotiations with the Taliban were a mistake and now he is worried about it.
Bolton asked the U.S. not to recognize the Taliban. https://t.co/n8jqLX7esW
— Punk31 (@Punk319) December 15, 2023
@Punk319 Keep an eye out. The Taliban couldn’t get human rights activists and humanitarians to back off by sending their goons to “talk” to them and are resorting to reporting and getting accounts suspended. @RepMcCaul
@timburchett This is why the Taliban should be banned from Twitter.
=== For followers of Stardust, please know that her account has been suspended for unknown reasons. She continues to be active in advocating and assisting Afghan Allies. She is still active on Signal.
Keep an eye out. The Taliban couldn't get human rights activists and humanitarians to back off by sending their goons to "talk" to them and are resorting to reporting and getting accounts suspended. @RepMcCaul @timburchett This is why the Taliban should be banned from Twitter. https://t.co/ZpwgBJyGok
— Punk31 (@Punk319) December 14, 2023
@Punk319 A resident of Mazar-e-Sharif complains about corruption in the Taliban court in this city. This citizen claims that the Taliban court in Mazar-e-Sharif “sells people’s land to other people and does not pay attention to the objection of its owners”.
A resident of Mazar-e-Sharif complains about corruption in the Taliban court in this city. This citizen claims that the Taliban court in Mazar-e-Sharif "sells people's land to other people and does not pay attention to the objection of its owners". https://t.co/WWXFEgTLgJ
— Punk31 (@Punk319) December 14, 2023
@Punk319 Taliban is doing more than breaking away from the Doha Agreement and all the U.S. can do is issue statements like this. I guess action will only happen when a 9/11-like situation happens?
==
Matthew Miller, Spokesperson for the US State Department, has voiced ongoing concerns about the potential for terrorist activities in Afghanistan.👇
https://twitter.com/Punk319/status/1734635725289570327US
@RaisedtoWalk Translation: The independent Taliban keep these little boys in the world under the pretext of slaves.
Hibatullah Khirbatula Khabeeth has the same meaning
The independent Taliban keep these little boys in the world under the pretext of slaves.
Hibatullah Khirbatula Khabeeth has the same meaning https://t.co/hwDl86xS4q— Carla Sallee Alvarez – Raised to Walk (@RaisedtoWalk) December 12, 2023
@RaisedtoWalk T-2112 Arrest of Salang high school principal by Talibna: Based on the information of Taliban, they have arrested the directory of the Boys’ High School in Salang district, Baba Gol.
The Taliban have transferred this school principal to an unknown place like hundreds of other detainees.
People say that they are tired of the cruelty and injustice of the Taliban
https://t.co/V7j7MWzmv9 pic.twitter.com/iCkI7om55D
— Carla Sallee Alvarez – Raised to Walk (@RaisedtoWalk) December 12, 2023
30:32- The truth about the Afghanistan withdrawal
@RaisedtoWalk Nearly 200 Afghan special forces trained by the British military are at risk of being deported and returned to Afghanistan under Taliban rule
https://t.co/qIKs4w4r8q pic.twitter.com/hYmVZFDLKY
— Carla Sallee Alvarez – Raised to Walk (@RaisedtoWalk) December 12, 2023
@MadihaAfzal Why is Pakistan deporting Afghan refugees? Includes my views:
= @shkazi_pk So many whys in our Afg policy since the Soviet invasion. This is just one page of the book, with Qs like why we initially supported Mujahideen and the long-term consequences of that decision. We need to learn from history and work towards solutions that are fair & sustainable.
== @MZulqarnain910 Terrorism is likely to spur due to lack of systematic governance structure in place in Afghanistan under Taliban. Deportation has already attributed alot to reresentment. This policy might backfire in long run. Citizenship Act 1951 adds an interesting dimension to this debate.
Why is Pakistan deporting Afghan refugees? Includes my views: https://t.co/gKblpBmoSB
— Madiha Afzal (@MadihaAfzal) December 8, 2023
December 7, 2023: Why are so many Afghans being kicked out of Pakistan?
Hundreds of thousands of Afghans are caught up in Pakistan’s deportation drive.
https://www.aljazeera.com/program/start-here/2023/12/7/why-are-so-many-afghans-being-kicked-out-of-pakistan-start-here
Immigration Updates
Three of our Afghan allies lost their lives in a plane crash in Oregon on Saturday. They were all so young.
(My dad sent this to me. I have him watching out for 🇦🇫 news too. ❤️❤️❤️)
=== One was trying to bring the rest of his family here. That he’s now dead won’t mean his family is any safer from retaliation from the Taliban.
Three of our Afghan allies lost their lives in a plane crash in Oregon on Saturday. They were all so young.
(My dad sent this to me. I have him watching out for 🇦🇫 news too. ❤️❤️❤️)https://t.co/YgYereyg3i pic.twitter.com/KCWct92DT4
— Carla Sallee Alvarez – Raised to Walk (@RaisedtoWalk) December 19, 2023
December 18, 2023: ‘They were heroes’: 3 men killed in Polk County plane crash were Afghan Air Force pilots who served with the US military
The small plane crashed into powerlines Saturday evening, killing everyone aboard.
https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/men-killed-polk-county-plane-crash-afghan-air-force-pilots-us-military/283-c4ce65f0-0676-4dca-a29d-b7eef67428e4
December 18, 2023: Afghan refugee organizations speak on loss of three pilots killed in Independence plane crash
https://www.kptv.com/2023/12/19/afghan-refugee-organizations-speak-loss-three-pilots-killed-independence-plane-crash/
@ReichlinMelnick Wow. New report from
@TRACReports
says that in November, the immigration court backlog hit 3 million cases for the first time ever.
The *average* asylum case is now pending for almost 4 year until a final hearing on an asylum application.
We need resources to fix this—and more.
Wow. New report from @TRACReports says that in November, the immigration court backlog hit 3 million cases for the first time ever.
The *average* asylum case is now pending for almost 4 year until a final hearing on an asylum application.
We need resources to fix this—and more. pic.twitter.com/9FUSy4luEX
— Aaron Reichlin-Melnick (@ReichlinMelnick) December 18, 2023
@BWBailey85 ICYMI, please take some time to listen to Col.
@Parwanisahil21
talk about the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, his personal journey, and finding purpose through
@afgunitedfront in Ep. 36 of The Afghanistan Project Podcast.
ICYMI, please take some time to listen to Col. @Parwanisahil21 talk about the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, his personal journey, and finding purpose through @afgunitedfront in Ep. 36 of The Afghanistan Project Podcast.
Listen, share, and subscribe: https://t.co/2hu3VktkUT pic.twitter.com/zVDLqbSOtY
— Beth W. Bailey (@BWBailey85) December 13, 2023
@AggieWill00 Fleeing Home, Chasing Hope: The Refugee And Migrant Experience
Fleeing Home, Chasing Hope: The Refugee And Migrant Experience https://t.co/Lf68xBKBto
— Will Selber 🇦🇫🇮🇱🇺🇦 (@AggieWill00) December 13, 2023
@RaisedtoWalk Not some, almost all P1/P2 applicants. A very small percentage have been processed and even fewer approved
== P1/P2 applicants has a big concern about the discriminations regard the evacuation of allies from Pakistan to USA
Some P1/P2 applicant within months evacuated but some of them still waiting, since collapse of Afg republican
Not some, almost all P1/P2 applicants. A very small percentage have been processed and even fewer approved https://t.co/lBucydgmtp
— Carla Sallee Alvarez – Raised to Walk (@RaisedtoWalk) December 12, 2023
The Afghanistan Withdrawal
Withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan (2011–2016)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Withdrawal_of_United_States_troops_from_Afghanistan_(2011%E2%80%932016)
2013 drawdown
The amount of U.S. troops to remain in Afghanistan during 2013 was still being decided as of March 2012, but it appeared that three options were considered. These three options were:[88]
A drawdown from 68,000 to 58,000 troops by the end of 2012, with a further drawdown to between 38,000 and 48,000 by June 2013. This would be a continuation of the current policy of gradual drawdown. Obama has stated that he prefers a gradual drawdown.[88][90]
Maintaining 68,000 troops through the end of 2013. This is the US military commanders’ preferred option since it maintains US force levels through the summer fighting season in 2013.[88][90]
A large and rapid drawdown, perhaps to 20,000 troops, by the end of 2013. This would leave only Special Operations Forces, counterterrorism forces, military trainers, and some support and security staff in Afghanistan. This is Vice President Biden’s preferred option.[88][90]
Kabul Hope Update
@RaisedtoWalk Got an update on the donations to my friend’s fundraiser for the 🇦🇫 children she’s been working with. ❤️
✅ Tuition & 🚌 for three kids for the rest of the year
✅ Tuition & fees for the 3-year-old to start preschool
🚧 A laptop & tuition for a Google cert for the 17-yr-old
== ❤️ is sweet potato latkes
Got an update on the donations to my friend's fundraiser for the 🇦🇫 children she's been working with. ❤️
✅ Tuition & 🚌 for three kids for the rest of the year
✅ Tuition & fees for the 3-year-old to start preschool
🚧 A laptop & tuition for a Google cert for the 17-yr-old https://t.co/hsXjFwCmrP
— Carla Sallee Alvarez – Raised to Walk (@RaisedtoWalk) December 14, 2023
@RaisedtoWalk Paper for one of our 🇦🇫 children going to school in 🇵🇰. I think his response was better than his teacher’s correction.
Paper for one of our 🇦🇫 children going to school in 🇵🇰. I think his response was better than his teacher's correction. pic.twitter.com/HZ23Kj8mIj
— Carla Sallee Alvarez – Raised to Walk (@RaisedtoWalk) December 12, 2023
34:23- Update on Welcome Corps
💡 US Immigration Policy Discussion
- Welcome Corps program updates
- Phase 2 implementation delays
- Welcome Corps on Campus initiative
- Challenges with current resettlement systems
- Immigration scam alerts and safety concerns
@RaisedtoWalk People scamming off of our incompetent immigration system make me so angry I’d like to slam them into the floor! Welcome Corps was announced in January. Phase 2/Naming where private groups can recommend a refugee family to sponsor was SUPPOSED to open in “mid 2023.”
=== I was SO excited when Welcome Corps was announced. It sounded PERFECT for what we needed. “Mid 2023” passes. All that happens is they rename “Phase 2” to “Naming” & say it will be sometime in 2023!!! (In spite of this, the xenophobes @ @CIS_org are all hot & bothered about it)
== My people will ask me, “What about Welcome Corps?”
And I will say, “I don’t know, but keep looking for other options.”
When the “expedited” Canadian work visa program for refugees opened in June, I told them that they should ALL apply.
=== Only a couple did bc they were holding out for Welcome Corps! 🤦♀️
The trust they have in us that we will come through in spite of all evidence to the contrary is staggering.
Again, they’ve been asking me saying they heard phase 2 had opened.
I ask where?
== It’s this flipping FAKE Facebook page that’s been fronting as the “USA Embassy in Afghanistan” since August 2021! @Meta
We haven’t HAD an embassy in Afghanistan since August 2021!
== And they’re sending people to Telegram for info!
The best case scenario is that it’s someone scamming for money.
The worst is it’s the freaking TALIBAN and it will get them killed!
== Yes, I reported the page. @Meta get your act together!
And @USCIS @StateDept actually letting people know WHEN, realistically, phase 2 will actually open would help keep these scams to a minimum
People scamming off of our incompetent immigration system make me so angry I'd like to slam them into the floor! Welcome Corps was announced in January. Phase 2/Naming where private groups can recommend a refugee family to sponsor was SUPPOSED to open in "mid 2023." pic.twitter.com/h9oV3FqfFs
— Carla Sallee Alvarez – Raised to Walk (@RaisedtoWalk) December 14, 2023
@USCIS #USCISAnswers: You can see an estimate of how long it will take us to complete your case by checking processing times. Simply enter your form, form type, and the office servicing your application: https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/
You can also create a free account and track your case.
https://twitter.com/USCIS/status/1735295336816529772
@MigrationPolicy What kinds of financial services do asylum seekers & other humanitarian migrants need?
The answer depends on the stage of their journey as well as other factors
What kinds of financial services do asylum seekers & other humanitarian migrants need?
The answer depends on the stage of their journey as well as other factors
Read more: https://t.co/IbHj5WDFm5
— MigrationPolicy Inst (@MigrationPolicy) December 13, 2023
@Refugees The Global #RefugeeForum has begun in Geneva!
Kicking off the world’s largest gathering on refugee issues, High Commissioner @FilippoGrandi and Switzerland’s State Secretary for Migration @SchranerBurgen1 shared powerful calls to action in solidarity #WithRefugees.
The Global #RefugeeForum has begun in Geneva!
Kicking off the world’s largest gathering on refugee issues, High Commissioner @FilippoGrandi and Switzerland’s State Secretary for Migration @SchranerBurgen1 shared powerful calls to action in solidarity #WithRefugees.
— UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency (@Refugees) December 13, 2023
December 6, 2023: Often Shut Out of the Financial System, Refugees and Other Migrants Face Economic Integration Challenges
https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/refugees-migrants-financial-inclusion
@RaisedtoWalk 🎉🎉🎉
America!
P1/P2 and SIV case holders, who flew from Islamabad on December 11, were transferred to their hotel in Washington DC today.
🎉🎉🎉
America!
P1/P2 and SIV case holders, who flew from Islamabad on December 11, were transferred to their hotel in Washington DC today. https://t.co/7ZbF2HmH4z— Carla Sallee Alvarez – Raised to Walk (@RaisedtoWalk) December 13, 2023
📱 Connect & Support
- Follow for updates on Twitter
- Donate through donshireministries.org (select Raised to Walk)
- Support options for Christmas giving and immigration assistance
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