The Angon family is finally united, eight years following their first meeting and arranged marriage, in what is now Southern Sudan, in August of 2005.

After many years of separation, Josephina, Gabriel and Abraham Angon arrived at Sky Harbor Monday afternoon, Sept. 16, to begin their new life together with their husband and father, Peter Dut Angon, a former “Lost Boy from Sudan” who immigrated to Phoenix in August 2001.

For Josephina, the trip from Africa with her two little ones was a journey she won’t easily forget. Her trip to the U.S. was one that most of us would have found hard to endure:

* Becoming ill prior to beginning her travels.

* Having to spend some of their limited travel funds on medication.

* Experiencing delayed travel to the capital city’s airport due to bad weather conditions.

* Finding out their luggage was overweight and having to spend even more of their travel funds to redistribute the weight of their luggage.

* Running across a Kenyan immigration official who demanded a bribe prior to releasing the family for travel. Not having the funds due to their prior unexpected expenses, they were fortunate that a stranger, a Kenyan national, stepped forward and paid the bribe on their behalf.

* Enduring a three- hour immigration process after landing in Chicago and, therefore, missing their connecting flight to Phoenix.

Fortunately, waiting to help them negotiate the airport were Dee and Bob Rubenow, long-time friends of Peter’s and Fountain Hills winter residents.

When they finally made it through immigration, the Rubenows helped them rebook their flight and then took them back to their home in New Lenox, Ill., to eat and sleep before returning them to O’Hare for the final leg of the journey the following morning.

But all’s well that ends well!

With flowers, balloons, gifts and a welcome sign, the reunited family was met by Barbara Sudderth and Elizabeth Winter from New Journey Lutheran Church in Fountain Hills and Carol and Rick Powell from the Congregational Church of the Valley, Scottsdale.

Josephina was so beautifully dressed and so well composed after such a long and trying journey.

She quietly thanked all for coming to meet them in beautiful English and with a genuine smile.

The boys were a little quiet at first, but that didn’t last too long before they began batting at the balloons in glee.

The Welcome Committee all followed them back to Peter’s apartment where the boys really let loose, running around exploring their new home.

Abraham brought Elizabeth his school work for her to admire; and proud dad, Peter, wanted him to demonstrate his writing skills for all to see. Abraham turned five on Wednesday, Sept. 18.

They will now spend the next week or two getting settled in Peter’s apartment and becoming accustomed to their new surroundings in the U.S.

The boys will be registering at Balsz Elementary School, just a few blocks from their new home. Peter and Josephina will also be exploring healthcare options for Gabriel’s disabilities concerns.

On Sunday morning, Sept. 22, Peter introduced his family to the congregation and expressed his deepest appreciation to New Journey for all they have done for him over the last 12 years since his immigration, but especially now, for financially providing all the funds necessary for the airfare for Josephina and the boys to travel here from Kenya.

Since more funds were contributed than were needed, a dining room table and chairs were also purchased for the family. It will be where they will share their evening meals together and where the boys will grow up doing their homework.

New Journey will be planning an official “Welcoming Party” for the Angon family once its winter members return. The community is looking forward to that event coming later this fall. It will be open to the Fountain Hills community and all are welcome to attend to meet this lovely family.