Late last night, after escaping the Kabul Airport on August 25th, Ahmad and his family finally made it to their new home here in Tampa Bay.

Abdullah, after delivering packages all day for Amazon, volunteered to come and to help us translate. He's a 15-year special forces translator who accompanied Americans into combat countless times. Ahmad was with the Afghan Defense Force and fought side-by-side with us in the fight against the Taliban.

Thanks to YOUR generosity, we raised the family about $1,500 in just a few hours, we were able to buy all the kids presents, and are helping them get started with a short-term rental, a job, and a new life here. THANK YOU!

If you missed it and still want to help, Lutheran Services which handles refugee resettlements here in Tampa Bay do have other families coming into town and you can donate to them here:

**IMPORTANT** Make sure you put this in the gift notes: Andrew Learned - Afghan Refugees

This was easily one of the most rewarding things I've had the opportunity to do in this role. As a Veteran who had my own translator during my Somali piracy missions, it's personal. Also, a great way to close a chapter of 20+ years of war.

Together with our new neighbors, we can finally move on in peace.