Back in May the church leadership officially agreed to sponsor a refugee family from Afghanistan who had to leave their home country and had been living in neighboring Pakistan for one year. The Missions Team of New Life agreed to assume the responsibilities established by the Canadian government to sponsor such a family. They created a refugee sponsorship team to provide oversight of the financial and settlement assistance for the family for 12 months after their arrival in Canada.

By the time that the church officially accepted the responsibility of sponsoring the family, the recommended minimal financial amount from the government was already raised by donors both within and outside of our church. That is why the Missions Team did not present the financial need publicly to the church congregation.

The list of responsibilities of sponsorship includes far more than financial assistance. The Refugee Team is committed to helping the family get settled into Canadian culture and climate, have adequate housing, become proficient in English, and find appropriate employment.

We are delighted to have Hamid, Shegofa, and their mother, Zainab, come to Canada and specifically to Stonewall. We are committed to provide the best transition possible for them in adjusting to Canada and eventually becoming Canadian citizens. We are thankful for the people of our congregation who are joining hands with the Refugee Sponsorship Team in this endeavor.

Gratefully,

The Refugee Sponsorship Team

Al Heinrichs, Randy Porcher, Sandra Wiebe, Milly Beirnes, Howard Moore

P.S. If you have specific questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.  

All the updates can be found below - both for the Faizi family as well as updates from the Care Team. Please click on each date tab to read the update found in the description below the tabs.