I have just heard that Lydia, the young woman who we are co-sponsoring with two Eritrean members of our Church, will arrive in Toronto from Addis Ababa on ET502 on September 17 at  8:25 am. Another answer to a lot of praying!

I have just heard that the family of Lucien Elvis Sassango Kokengue (see posting of October 4 2018) has been invited for their interview on September 3. Lucien is the brother of Charlene & Chancella; he and his family are originally from the Central African Republic and are currently living in the Krisan Refugee Family in Ghana. It looks quite likely that Lucien and his family could be with us before Christmas.  We currently do not have funds for this sponsorship.

We are looking for temporary accommodation for Sajjad, Farzana, Angel and Amelia (see posting below).  It could be a basement apartment or two bedrooms in a house or condo, we are open to anything at this stage. If you can't help, please ask your friends and neighbours if they have room for the family or if they have any leads on a short-term rental, preferably in the city so that they can receive the necessary resettlement services. This is a delightful family who are very grateful for the Church’s support and most appreciative for whatever assistance we can provide.

I have just received notification that Sajjad, Farzana, Angel and Amelia (sponsored family from Pakistan, living in Thailand) will arrive in Toronto on August 8 at 9:45 am on flight KE73 from Seoul (having left Bangkok on the evening of August 7).

This is very short notice and I will be in touch shortly about our many needs for welcoming and resettling this family.

I heard from Sajjad this morning (father of the Pakistani family taking refuge in Thailand). He writes that he got a call from the International Office of Migration (IOM )yesterday  and they have got all the necessary passports and travel documents ready, and they will send these to the Canadian Embassy for issue of their visas for travel to Canada. They will advise shortly about travel dates but Sajjad is hopeful that they will travel in August.  We will need to pay the family's "overstay fines" of about $2,000 before they will be permitted to leave. Sajjad will come with his wife and two children aged 2 and 7.

We will need to provide accommodation for the family. Although it is too early to rent a place (because arrival dates can change), please give some thought as to where they might stay on arrival. 

Sajjad and family have had one round of medical tests and vaccinations and are due for a second round of vaccinations on July 26. So we know that they will not arrive before then. It looks as if the fines levied by the Thai Government for their "overstay" will be close to $2,000 which we will need to pay before they can leave the country.

Sajjad and family now have a medical appointment at 8 am on June 21 as part of the Canadian Government's review of their application for sponsorship.
It appears that the Thai Government will impose fines in excess of US$ 1,000 on the family for having been in the country illegally for several years. Sajjad does not have the resources to pay this fine so we may have to pay it out of the Refugee Fund. Please keep the family in your prayers as the next few weeks are likely to be very stressful for them.

I have just heard from Sajjad (see posting and picture of December 24, 2018 below) that he and his family have been asked to make an appointment for their medical exams. That is a very good sign and almost certainly means that they are approved to come to Canada! Please keep Sajjad, wife Farzana and daughters Angel and Amelia in your prayers.

I have just heard that the interviews of  the two Eritrean refugees, presently in Ethiopia, who we are co-sponsoring with members of the YPBC congregation,went well and they expect to have their medical exams in the next two weeks. Please keep Lydia and Samson in your prayers. (see earlier posting of August 3, 2017 below).

Mohamed, Fatima and 4-year old Maysaa arrived safely yesterday evening, completing the reunion of the Al Dibel family.The families are keen to express their appreciation for the support they have received and will have that opportunity at the morning service on June 23..

I have just been notified of new dates for the arrival of Mohamed, Fatima and Maysaa: May 17 at 16:20 on LH470 from Frankfurt

I have just heard that the departure from Lebanon of Mohammed and Fatima (who were due to arrive on May 12) has been delayed until some problems with his exit visa have been resolved. Please pray for a speedy resolution.

Just heard this morning that the two Eritrean refugees, presently in Ethiopia, who we are co-sponsoring with members of the YPBC congregation, have been invited for interview on May 31 in Addis. Please keep Lydia and Samson in your prayers for this important step (see earlier posting of August 3, 2017 below).

I understand that Hayan, Abir and family arrived safely this morning - sorry I couldn't be there!

Just heard that the other family (Hayan's sister Fatimah, husband Mohamed and daughter have been approved to come to Canada with an expected travel date (not yet confirmed) of May 12 (presumably arriving May 13).

The actual arrival date of our first Syrian family is April 11 at 7:25 am, Terminal 1 on  flight MS995 (Egyptian Airlines) from Cairo.

Please consider if you can offer coats for Hayan ( 6'2" tall, slim build - he would like a long coat) and for Abir (she would like a long coat - below knees - ideally with a hood, large). Apparently that is all that is needed for now.

I have just heard this morning that our first Syrian family will be arriving April 10. This is Hayan, wife Abir and daughters Maria (4 years old) and Masah (6 months old). If you scroll down to the posting of September 3, 2017 you will see their picture.  Hayan's mother and father have been here for over 3 years and live in Thorncliffe Park. As yet, we have no news of the other family (Mohammed and Fatima - Fatima is Abir's daughter).

Sajjad, with his family, were interviewed yesterday at the Canadian High Commission in Bangkok. He thought he answered all the questions well, but no decision was communicated to him. Please pray for a positive and quick result.

Just a reminder that Sajjad and his family (pictured below) will be going for their interview on March 6.  They have a 2-3 hour journey and need to be at the Canadian High Commission by 7.30 am Bangkok time (7:30 pm March 5 Toronto time). Please keep them in your prayers for this critical interview.

Sajjad, whose family is pictured below, has been invited for his interview in Bangkok on March 6. Please keep this special family in your prayers for this very important date.