Three churches in partnership, i.e., East Gate Alliance Church, Ottawa Mandarin Alliance Church, and Filipino Alliance Church Ottawa, have raised close to $20,000. The goal is to raise $33,000 to cover the first year living costs of a family of five, who are expected to arrive in July, 2016.
Please let me know if you are interested in knowing more about the family and the private sponsorship program or are willing to lend a hand. Any donations of $10 or above will receive tax receipts issued by Ottawa Mandarin Alliance church (OMAC).
As you know, a few weeks ago (March 31) our application to sponsor the Nasim family was finally submitted to the government, and the missing pieces of documentation were supplied as of April 8. So now, we are waiting.
But that does not mean there is nothing to do ! Please remember to pray daily for favour with the officials who are processing the application, and for the comfort and encouragement of the Holy Spirit to be with Nasim, Haneen, Marina, Farah and Yussra as they wait for an answer.
At a congregational meeting yesterday, approval was given to the BVOR sponsorship of a single 40 year old Eritrean man, Fitsum Estifanos Bariamichael. His profile was referred to the CMAC by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) and we were asked by CMAC to consider sponsoring him. He is likely to arrive in 2-6 months. Cost of this type of sponsorship is shared by the government of Canada and the sponsoring group.
In addition, approval was given to proceed with the private sponsorships of two other Eritrean families who are currently in Israel. Their documents were provided to me a few weeks ago by Lydia Bocretsion, a member of the EGAC Eritrean group. This process may well take several years due to quotas imposed by IRCC on sponsoring groups for private sponsorships. Lots of scope for prayer here. Their names are Kokob and HelenGebremariam (a family with two preschool children, Noh (boy born 2014) and Sasuna (girl born 2015) and Saba Gebremichael ( a single Mom with an 8 year old son Aron).
The proposal to make refugee sponsorship an ongoing ministry of East Gate was also approved.
Lots of scope for prayer. Thanks for your partnership everyone. More communication to come.