My friend Ali Mohammad has just returned from a trip to Egypt and the Sudan, to attend his sister’s wedding and visit some friends. I missed him, he is my connection to the refugee world I am exploring and writing about. Ali is a teacher and driver at RISSE, the refugee and immigrant center in Albany.

He brought some kids from the RISSE soccer team with him, and this is a group I have come to know and love, mostly because of Ali’s trust in me and enthusiasm.

He thanked some of the many people who have contributed to RISSE through my blog. With his return, I am resuming my work on behalf of the refugees and immigrants of America, who have been unfairly demonized and targeted by arrogant and exploitive politicians.

I am researching outings, scholarships, and any other activities that will support them and their new lives in America. At the farm, Ali thanked the people in the crowd, many who have supported the refugees. He told them I must have appeared from heaven, and I say that Ali is an angel come to help these boys adjust to a complex new country.

Ali and I are brothers, we have a love for one another, and I am cranking up my support of these kids and other immigrants and refugees I am meeting. We are doing great work together and I know we have hard and meaningful days ahead of us.

I could use your support for this work, it is more important now than ever. You can donate to this cause – we are taking trips, buying soccer uniforms, organizing retreats and paying for lessons – by contributing through my Post Office Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y.,12816 or my Paypal account, [email protected].  Please not the money is for the refugees or RISSE kids. Or for the Mansion, if you  prefer.

We have lots of good work to do, and I mean to show  these people in these coming weeks and months what the heart and soul of America is really about. Thanks for considering it.