Missions Monday: 1,100 Refugees in BC
Perhaps you have heard, in the last 10 days British Columbia has received 1,100 Syrian refugees to top off the reality that Canada has now received our 25,000th Syrian Refugee. Moving forward, our city and our country will be influenced by these new folks that are now our neighbours as they bring their experiences and their culture. May we also influence our new neighbours with the warmth of God's love and hospitality.
We have looked at what our response to the refugee situation should be and many of our Tenth community have come saying that they want to get involved. There is no better time than now to look into the practical ways we can begin to show love and care to families seeking refuge in our province.
Our government is doing what they can to find permanent housing and other ways to help families, but it has not been an easy process. We believe what will make the integration of refugees successful when Canadians reach out in practical and strategic ways.
We are now in phase 1 of our refugee response, which largely involves getting Tenth people prepared and equipped to share their skills and experiences effectively and efficiently. Perhaps you would like to take a first step with us and join our Refugee Support Training with Journey Home.
When will this be? 2 identical training days on Saturday March 12th from 9am-2pm and April 16th, 9am-2pm.
Topics will include: Experiencing the Refugee Journey: Culture Shock and Mental Wellness, Health and Supportive Cross Cultural Relationships, Navigating Canada's Refugee Protection System and Practical Ways to Serve.
We will have an online application for the training soon, so please check out tenth.ca/refugee in a few days.
For more information on the traininig days or to stay up to date with what Tenth Missions is doing, feel free to email Jaylynn at jaylynn.byassee@gmail.com .
All the best!
Patrick Elaschuk
Pastor of International Missions
He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt. — Deuteronomy 10:18,19