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October Refugee News
“For me personally and for our family, nothing in our lives has been more fulfilling than welcoming refugees.” Ann Voskamp, author of One Thousand Gifts. I remember vividly the first time that I knocked on the door of a newly arrived refugee family in 1993. I didn't really have the time to drop off a welcome basket, and I was also oddly nervous, but I did it anyway. The welcome I received melted all trepidation and it started a journey of personal growth through welcoming newcomers into my life. As we welcome new strangers into our lives, we often find that our lives are deeply enriched. May you be encouraged in this edition of the Refugee News. Patrick Elaschuk, Pastor of International Missions For more infomation visit: https://www.tenth.ca/ministries/tenth-local/pages/refugee-support--265
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Unity and CommunityAt Thanksgiving Camp Over the Thanksgiving long weekend, I, along with a handful of our Afghan friends, had the special opportunity to join a weekend retreat at Pioneer Pacific Camp, located on Thetis Island. As we got to know one another throughout the weekend, it was exciting sharing in many of my new friends’ first experiences. The first time kayaking, first time eating s’mores, first time seeing bioluminescent algae, first peaceful sleep in a while, first time stepping away from the news since the summer. It was a much-needed space of rest and rejuvenation through connecting deeply in community. A theme of the weekend was embracing our cross-cultural community. In addition to our Afghan friends, there were international students from Korea, Japan, Lebanon, Vietnam, and more, as well as the rest of us, whose immigrant roots in Canada can be traced back in our family history. One of the special ways we practiced embracing and honouring some of the cultures around us was through food. At each meal we celebrated a different culture. On Saturday, we had a traditional Afghan rice dish for dinner, planned and cooked by our Afghan friends. I briefly stepped into the kitchen as it was being prepared, and when I asked what they were making one of the guys excitedly told me, “Kabuli Pulao, now that is all you get to know,” and was warmly ushered out. When the dinner bell rang and we all sat down to eat, everyone loved the food. When seconds were announced, a cheer erupted throughout the dining hall! The following day, on Sunday afternoon, we had a long-awaited soccer match. Although we all had varying levels of experience and ability, mine being quite low, there was space for everyone to participate and have fun. My teammates—who had much more expertise and skill—coached me with much grace as they continued to pass me the ball and cheer even as I fumbled and lost it. As we were waiting to board the ferry home at the end of the weekend, we were talking about our names and the significance behind their meaning. One of the guys who has a witty sense of humour and enjoys joking around said in a tone quite matter-of-fact, “We should call you Sarah Jan.” I was unsure if he was teasing or not, so I asked what ‘Jan’ meant. He looked at me and said, “Jan is a word in Persian that, when added on to the end of someone’s name, is a show of respect and familiarity with them.” As I looked around at my beautiful new friends, I was deeply touched and honoured by this invitation to step into deeper community. A special part about this community is the humility of those present. Humility is a uniting tool as we put aside our pride and allow ourselves to learn from and be taught by one another. Written by Sarah Chow. Sarah just started in her role with Tenth Global, supported by the Canada Summer Jobs program. For more infomation visit:
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Community NewsOctober Updates New Afghan friends: We have welcomed a handful of Afghans over the past couple of weeks and anticipate many more arrivals in the months to come. Housing is always a challenge, but we are so grateful for Tenth friends that have offered rooms and suites at reduced costs and have given generously of their time and resources. Asylum Seekers: As a church, we walk alongside those seeking asylum in Canada. We are receiving countless requests for Tenth to sponsor families and friends. We are not currently sponsoring refugees, but are looking for other groups to help in this area. Afghan Response with Journey Home: Tenth has been working together with Journey Home in responding to the current Afghan refugee crisis. Learn more. Community Dinner: Over the warmer months of the pandemic, we had weekly community dinners in the park. As restrictions have lessened, we have restarted our in-person Community Dinners at the Royal Oak Ministry Centre in Burnaby. Email patrick@tenth.ca if you would like an invitation. New rhythm: We will be changing our rhythm of sending a monthly Global newsletter and random refugee newsletters to a twice a month format where global and refugee content is combined. World Vision Afghanistan Update: Praying for a Beacon of Hope Amidst Afghanistan’s Darkness Thank you! We are able to walk alongside dozens of families and individuals seeking asylum in Vancouver because of the generous support of our Tenth community. For more infomation visit:
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First ThingFive Prayer Items Pray for Afghanistan, Afghans in Canada, God to be a refuge, our refugee team, and the rest of our refugee community. For more infomation visit:
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Refugee Community UpdateOnline Update and Prayer Time - Monday, October 25, 2021 Learn more about Tenth's refugee response and participate in guided prayer. For more infomation visit:
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Refugee Support TrainingVolunteer Training - Saturday, November 20, 2021 Are you interested in learning, serving, and sharing with refugees? Join us for an in-person, condensed three-hour training session. For more infomation visit: http://tenth.ca/events/refugee-support-training--541/2021-11-20
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Do no wrong. Treat strangers as our own. Love strangers as ourselves.Leviticus 19:33-34 Thank you for taking the time to love strangers as ourselves through your prayers and support. Feel free to let us know how we can help you take the next step in walking with refugees. Patrick, Mim, Tess, Sarah, Claudia, and the Refugee Support Team To see what else Tenth Global is up to, check out -tenth.ca/global For more infomation visit:
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