A Hard Road to Freedom...

September 2009

Dear Friend, This Thanksgiving I write to you with sadness in my heart, but also in celebration of the life of a man who gave all he had to serve others. I have enclosed the eulogy of Wally, a dear friend and devoted volunteer here at MCRS. Once a refugee himself, Wally was a good man who exemplified God’s love for “the least” of those among us.

Refugees arrive in Canada devastated from the experience of war and strife in their homelands.  They flee because they have no choice. Imagine leaving everyone and everything you have ever known because staying in your own home is more dangerous and terrifying. Refugees in our community have faced unspeakable acts of violence. Their lives are in grave danger. Many have just barely escaped.

But the road to building a new life in Canada is full of hurdles for families who are running for their lives. We are available day and night for over 400 families in need of medical care, safety and freedom.  We are grateful for the opportunity to walk alongside each family.

But the journey is not easy. Facing multiple forms and processes in a strange language and foreign culture is frustrating and often confusing. MCRS provides much-needed legal support and interpretation services, health screenings and referrals to medical care. As well, we offer essential programs to help families find housing, food and employment to build a new life of hope in our community.

Refugee families in our community have so much to teach us about cultures and languages, as well as reminding us of the danger and fear that so many men, women and children around the world are facing each day. So few escape. But the bravery and courage of the families who walk through our doors is a testament to the power of God’s love for the strangers and aliens who come to our land. It is truly a blessing that our community can provide a free and safe home for all those who come seeking refuge.

This Thanksgiving season, we have over 100 families in desperate need of our help. And more arrive at our door every day, with nowhere else to turn. Your gift of just $100 a month, or $1,200 a year supports a refugee claimant family as they seek to build a safe, new life here in Canada. Or you can choose to give a smaller gift at this time. It is a long adjustment process to settle in to a strange new land without belongings, language skills or a home. Just a small gift goes a long way to provide for refugees who arrive in our community with nothing.

I pray we can continue to reach out to refugees in our community and help them build a new life free from danger and oppression.

In Christ,

Eunice Valenzuela

Executive Director

PS: I am so grateful for the gifts and hard work refugees have brought to our community. Your gifts will help provide refugee families with the help and resources they need to build a new life of freedom and safety.