A Visiting Couple's Generosity Opens New Doors for the Sharify Family

An Afghan family beloved by First Presbyterian recently received an automobile that will allow the parents to get to work, thanks to the generosity of a visiting couple in our church.


Sonam and Abdul Sharify and their children, Shokrana and Arman, gratefully accepted the gift of a Nissan Cube earlier this summer. The donors, who were moved by the family’s story after reading about the need in the church newsletter and asked to remain anonymous, presented the car at the church. Sonam, a skilled seamstress, had recently taken a job at David’s Bridal, where she performs alterations, but she had no reliable way to get to work. Abdul has a car, but he uses it for his contract work in construction and HVAC fabrication.


Many church members have benefited from Sonam’s excellent alterations, which she previously did from her home. She also creates beautiful jewelry, available for purchase in the Mission Market.After the Global Mission Committee made an appeal to the congregation for help finding a car for the family, the visiting couple offered their extra vehicle. They had it checked by their mechanic and then joyfully transferred ownership to Sonam. It was a beautiful reminder of God's faithfulness as He provided exactly what the family needed through the generosity of His people.


“It meant so much to Sonam and her family, but also to the owners,” said Colleen Shannon of the Global Mission Committee. “As we know, a gift often means as much to the giver as to the recipient. I saw in the faces of this couple the joy they received in transferring ownership of the car to Sonam. At a time when Abdul is still seeking permanent employment, this allows Sonam to have a regular salary to support the family.”


In Herat, Afghanistan, Sonam did heroic work as director of a USAID program that trained Afghan women in clerical skills for work in U.S. government offices. Because of that service, the family was able to move to the United States on a Special Immigrant Visa, a status that remains subject to changing immigration policies.


Sonam also previously operated a successful dressmaking business in Herat. Abdul taught vocational skills at a community college, and the children are now happily established in local schools.