Welcoming strangers in challenging times
June 6, 2024
WELCOMING STRANGERS IN CHALLENGING TIMES
June 6, 2024
The United Nations estimates there are 110 million people who were forcibly displaced worldwide as a result of conflict, persecution, human rights violations and violence. Many of them now live in poverty in crowded refugee camps, some longing to return to their homelands, others desperate to find a new country to call home. Canada has often been applauded for its willingness to welcome refugees, but as many cities face a housing crisis and the country grapples with the challenges of inflation, it may be difficult to understand what would motivate a journey to sponsorship.
God’s family is called to welcome strangers and for the past 45 years, Christian Reformed Churches across Canada, with the support of World Renew’s Refugee Sponsorship and Resettlement team, have answered this call by sponsoring refugees and helping them adjust to life in Canada.
Eleanor McComb is a member of the sponsorship committee of Willoughby CRC in Langley, British Columbia. In the 1980s, the committee sponsored refugees from Vietnam; in the 1990s, they sponsored Middle Eastern families; and in the last 12 years they have sponsored over 40 individuals from a dozen families. Eleanor says, “The impetus to do this comes from my belief that we are to live in accordance with Micah 6:8, ‘Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.’ And walking humbly means that when we are confronted with an issue, we don’t ignore it. Great satisfaction comes to us when we don’t ignore the needs of this world.”
But she insists there are challenges to sponsorship: “Housing is difficult to find and so housing is not always optimal. Suitable work is difficult to find. Sometimes personality issues are difficult to overcome. Language barriers can lead to misunderstandings,” says Eleanor. “On the other hand, seeing a family thrive and put down roots is a reason for joy. . . It’s a privilege to be involved with people from other countries who have struggled to make their way in this world. It’s a gift! Do it!”
Welcoming strangers in challenging times was initially posted through the Christian Courier.
The United Nations estimates there are 110 million people who were forcibly displaced worldwide as a result of conflict, persecution, human rights violations and violence. Many of them now live in poverty in crowded refugee camps, some longing to return to their homelands, others desperate to find a new country to call home. Canada has often been applauded for its willingness to welcome refugees, but as many cities face a housing crisis and the country grapples with the challenges of inflation, it may be difficult to understand what would motivate a journey to sponsorship.
God’s family is called to welcome strangers and for the past 45 years, Christian Reformed Churches across Canada, with the support of World Renew’s Refugee Sponsorship and Resettlement team, have answered this call by sponsoring refugees and helping them adjust to life in Canada.
Eleanor McComb is a member of the sponsorship committee of Willoughby CRC in Langley, British Columbia. In the 1980s, the committee sponsored refugees from Vietnam; in the 1990s, they sponsored Middle Eastern families; and in the last 12 years they have sponsored over 40 individuals from a dozen families. Eleanor says, “The impetus to do this comes from my belief that we are to live in accordance with Micah 6:8, ‘Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.’ And walking humbly means that when we are confronted with an issue, we don’t ignore it. Great satisfaction comes to us when we don’t ignore the needs of this world.”
But she insists there are challenges to sponsorship: “Housing is difficult to find and so housing is not always optimal. Suitable work is difficult to find. Sometimes personality issues are difficult to overcome. Language barriers can lead to misunderstandings,” says Eleanor. “On the other hand, seeing a family thrive and put down roots is a reason for joy. . . It’s a privilege to be involved with people from other countries who have struggled to make their way in this world. It’s a gift! Do it!”
Welcoming strangers in challenging times was initially posted through the Christian Courier.
