THE GIFT OF FREEDOM
June 11, 2025
THE GIFT OF FREEDOM
JUNE 11, 2025
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. – Galatians 5:13
Elina* arrived in Canada in June 2024 with her mother, her sister and brother-in-law, and the couple’s child. We cannot share their pictures with you. Elina’s sister and mother have requested we not do so. Perhaps, like many families who escape conflict and oppression, they fear what sharing their story and picture can mean for the safety of loved ones they left behind in their homeland. But Elina wants to share her story. She says she wants to be the voice for the oppressed women in her home country, Afghanistan. She wants the freedom she now enjoys for other Afghan women.
What is freedom for Elina? “Freedom is being able to sleep peacefully without terrifying nightmares,” she explains. “Not having to hide the fact that I am a girl, and above all, the kindness I have received from Canadians. They truly care about us. Thank you for giving us the gift of freedom.”
With support from the World Renew Refugee Sponsorship and Resettlement Team, a Baptist church in Ontario, sponsored Elina and her family who had fled Afghanistan and sought asylum in Pakistan. As Christians, the family faced persecution in their homeland and, like many others in their situation, chose to flee the country rather than live in hiding. But living as refugees meant they continued to exist in fear: fear of not being able to afford basic necessities due to lack of employment opportunities; fear of not having a safe place to live; fear of never having a country to truly call home. But Elina placed her trust in God’s love. “Our Lord Jesus Christ was with me and my family throughout this journey. We are one in the body of Christ,” she says.
Elina continues to hold on to faith and trust in God’s goodness as she settles into life in Ontario. She gives praise to God that she has found a country to call home. “I was able to connect with the Canadian community, and I can truly say that Canada feels like home to me,” shares Elina. She also rejoices in the freedom she now has to worship God and give him praise. “I am able to attend church freely and read the Bible—something I could never do in the past,” she says. “I no longer need to hide myself.”
Elina understands that freedom doesn’t mean life won’t have challenges. She is excited to work and be a contributing and supportive member of society. “Finding a job is very difficult, and I have not yet been able to enter my professional field. However, I will soon start volunteering to help newly arrived immigrants,” she explains “My hope is to become a successful dentist and to serve Canada, the country that accepted me. Canada is my homeland.”
When asked what has been most helpful as she adjusts to life in Canada, Elina says, “The love and acceptance I received from the community and the warm welcome extended to us.” She encourages other newcomers to “strive to be valuable members of this society and never stop trying—there is always a light shining through the darkness!”
June 29 is Refugee Sunday. Through your gift, you can help the World Refugee Sponsorship and Resettlement Team provide crucial support to sponsoring churches and groups throughout the entire sponsorship process. Please give generously so more people like Elina can experience the joy of being free to practice their faith here in Canada. Find out more about Refugee Sunday, access our church resources, and watch our newest video.
*To protect the family’s privacy, names have not been provided
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. – Galatians 5:13
Elina* arrived in Canada in June 2024 with her mother, her sister and brother-in-law, and the couple’s child. We cannot share their pictures with you. Elina’s sister and mother have requested we not do so. Perhaps, like many families who escape conflict and oppression, they fear what sharing their story and picture can mean for the safety of loved ones they left behind in their homeland. But Elina wants to share her story. She says she wants to be the voice for the oppressed women in her home country, Afghanistan. She wants the freedom she now enjoys for other Afghan women.
What is freedom for Elina? “Freedom is being able to sleep peacefully without terrifying nightmares,” she explains. “Not having to hide the fact that I am a girl, and above all, the kindness I have received from Canadians. They truly care about us. Thank you for giving us the gift of freedom.”
With support from the World Renew Refugee Sponsorship and Resettlement Team, a Baptist church in Ontario, sponsored Elina and her family who had fled Afghanistan and sought asylum in Pakistan. As Christians, the family faced persecution in their homeland and, like many others in their situation, chose to flee the country rather than live in hiding. But living as refugees meant they continued to exist in fear: fear of not being able to afford basic necessities due to lack of employment opportunities; fear of not having a safe place to live; fear of never having a country to truly call home. But Elina placed her trust in God’s love. “Our Lord Jesus Christ was with me and my family throughout this journey. We are one in the body of Christ,” she says.
Elina continues to hold on to faith and trust in God’s goodness as she settles into life in Ontario. She gives praise to God that she has found a country to call home. “I was able to connect with the Canadian community, and I can truly say that Canada feels like home to me,” shares Elina. She also rejoices in the freedom she now has to worship God and give him praise. “I am able to attend church freely and read the Bible—something I could never do in the past,” she says. “I no longer need to hide myself.”
Elina understands that freedom doesn’t mean life won’t have challenges. She is excited to work and be a contributing and supportive member of society. “Finding a job is very difficult, and I have not yet been able to enter my professional field. However, I will soon start volunteering to help newly arrived immigrants,” she explains “My hope is to become a successful dentist and to serve Canada, the country that accepted me. Canada is my homeland.”
When asked what has been most helpful as she adjusts to life in Canada, Elina says, “The love and acceptance I received from the community and the warm welcome extended to us.” She encourages other newcomers to “strive to be valuable members of this society and never stop trying—there is always a light shining through the darkness!”
June 29 is Refugee Sunday. Through your gift, you can help the World Refugee Sponsorship and Resettlement Team provide crucial support to sponsoring churches and groups throughout the entire sponsorship process. Please give generously so more people like Elina can experience the joy of being free to practice their faith here in Canada. Find out more about Refugee Sunday, access our church resources, and watch our newest video.
*To protect the family’s privacy, names have not been provided
