The refugees are among more than 40,000 Bhutanese exiles who have migrated out of camps in Nepal over the past three years. The exodus, overseen by the United Nations, has dispersed a stateless people across dozens of cities in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

Of all the wonders the Mainali family hoped to experience in America, salvation through a newfound faith in Jesus Christ was not on the list.

Then the family matriarch, Bishnu Mainali, discovered a Baptist church near downtown Alameda and listened each Sunday to the scripture and sermons. The lifelong Hindu found camaraderie among the friendly congregation and a positive message in the Christian teachings. Now, she is trying to convince her reluctant family it is time to be saved.

“The U.S. is a country of Christians,” said the 64-year-old refugee, speaking at her apartment a few days before Christmas. “We have to move toward the side of the majority.”

The Bhutanese refugees knew the United States would bring surprises and require adaptation when they left their refugee camp in the plains of southern Nepal seven months ago and flew to California. They settled into an apartment in the Laurel district of Oakland in late May, and quickly learned to navigate the bus system, find the cheapest groceries and adjust to the busy pace of American life.

Bishnu’s daughter-in-law, Leela Mainali, could not have imagined her first job would be making pizzas at a Little Caesars shop. A year ago, the 20-year-old helped cook and care for her family in a hut built with bamboo and thatch that had no electricity.

Her husband, Benu Mainali, Bishnu’s youngest son, didn’t think he would find a job so quickly, but made the connections, impressed his supervisors with his dedication and rose the ranks to a full-time position at Farmer Joe’s Marketplace in the Dimond district.

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