NETWORK LIFE
October 15, 2022
According to the United Nations, “growth in the number of international migrants has been robust over the last two decades, reaching 281 million people living outside their country of origin in 2020.”
Recent statistics show that “89.3 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced at the end of 2021 as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations or events seriously disturbing public order”.
We are reminded in the Scriptures, that it is God who determines where people live, and that His desire is that they seek Him and come to know Him.
“And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.” Acts 17:26-27
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) data shows that Canada welcomed 22,270 Afghans since August of 2021.
We are still waiting for the latest Census data, but as of the previous Census, there were an estimated 1,921,418 Muslims in Canada. Many of them entered Canada as refugees.
Have you ever considered that the refugees who live among us might have been sent by God to Canada in order to find Him?
Muslims who in years past would never have had an opportunity to meet a Christian, to receive a Bible to read, or to hear the truth about Jesus Christ have become our neighbours, our co-workers, our children’s classmates, our doctors, our local store and restaurant owners.
As you can see, God has given us the opportunity to share the gospel with the world in Canada, as the nations of the world are in our neighbourhoods.
Craig Kraft, Outreach Canada’s Executive Director, talks about the needs of new immigrants, and asks a pertinent question:
“As new immigrants arrive in Canada, they are looking for connections. They may have friends or family members here, but often they come, leaving all their close personal relationships behind. In addition, they may be learning a new language, experiencing a foreign culture, learning where to find foods and products they are familiar with, and trying to fit in. How can churches and individuals help?”
We want to highlight two ministries this month that are doing amazing things as they love and care for refugees in their communities:
The House of Omeed - Vancouver, BC
The House of Omeed (House of Hope) exists to inspire hope in the hearts of refugees and newcomers to Canada as they make the necessary huge adjustment to their lives now transplanted into a new, unfamiliar, and often incomprehensible society.
Currently operating from a storefront on the Burnaby/Coquitlam boundary in Metro Vancouver, BC, the House of Omeed is in transition to a new facility in neighbouring Port Moody. Securing this new facility is a miracle—from the very beginning, the existence of the House of Omeed has been a story of miracles. Read more of their story here: House of Omeed (outreach.ca)
Encountering Hope Ministries Canada - Winnipeg, MB
Allan Hiller heard and obeyed God’s call in an authentic and practical way to meet the physical and spiritual needs of refugees in Winnipeg, MB. He founded Encountering Hope Ministries Canada (Hope Central), a centre where he and his team share God’s hope through furniture, blessings, food, encouragement and many other ways.
As Allan says: “For newcomers to Canada, it’s important to have a landing place, a landing ministry for them when they come so that they can know that somebody is there to reach out and care for them.” Read more of their story here: Hand in Hand: Serving Refugees in Winnipeg (outreach.ca)
We want to encourage you to find out where the ministries reaching out to refugees are in your city and ask yourself ‘How can I get involved?’
Jesus set an example for us to follow, and we can choose to be His hands and feet among those from other nations who He has brought to Canada and have become our neighbours.
Cristina Boersma,
LMT National Coordinator