“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. … When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.” – Romans 12: 9-13

Syrian refugees, Fatima*, her husband, and their two children, arrived in Edmonton, Alberta on October 25, 2021. They were travel weary but eager to start rebuilding their lives in Canada. Fatima said, “Our hope is that our children begin their life in a right way, and build their happy childhood memories far away from war and fear.”

As the plane landed, Fatima felt tears of joy fill her eyes. She was grateful to the River Community Christian Reformed Church for sponsoring her family.

Three weeks after their arrival, Fatima’s family attended service at the River Community Church. They were greeted warmly and had the opportunity to share their story with the congregation. The compassion of the community helped buoy their spirits as they faced the challenges of settling in a new country. Fatima said, “The hardest part was not knowing where to start.” She went on to say, “…our sponsors’ love…[erased] every obstacle in our adaptation.”

One member of the refugee sponsoring committee shared, “We have helped enroll them in classes, obtain necessary documents, connect them to other services, drive them to appointments, and so much more. We also make a point to spend time with them–after all, they are friends and near family.”

In 2015, members of the River Community Church felt compelled to answer God’s call to welcome foreigners after reports of the drowning of a three-year-old boy, Alan Kurdi and his family. Alan’s family, Syrian refugees, were seeking safety and reportedly trying to reach Canada. One member of the refugee sponsoring committee said, “The pictures of Alan Kurdi who perished in the Mediterranean is what prompted the church. We have sponsored three Syrian refugee families since 2015.”

Another member of the refugee sponsoring committee stated, “We are called to love the foreigner among us. To be able to witness transformation is amazing. To be trusted to assist people who are vulnerable is something we can’t take lightly. It is a huge responsibility, but it comes with many blessings.”

The World Renew Refugee Sponsorship and Resettlement team provides support to sponsors like the River Community Church, AB, through the entire sponsorship process and we have had the privilege of witnessing time-and-time again the bonds that develop between sponsoring groups and the newcomers. June 20 is World Refugee Day, a day to honour the resilience and courage of refugees around the world and stand with them to show our support. We invite you and your congregation to celebrate World Refugee Day with us. Please pray for the safety of refugees around the world; pray too, that God will open doors and remove obstacles for families waiting to rebuild their lives in Canada.

You can walk alongside sponsoring churches across Canada as they answer God’s call to welcome foreigners, through your gifts to support the work of World Renew’s Refugee Sponsorship and Resettlement team. Thank you for your gifts and prayers.

*Names have been changed or not used to protect identity