Would you like to befriend newcomers to Canada and learn about other cultures? Or would you support this ministry in prayer?
Kingcrest International Neighbours is a ministry that runs ESL classes and helps many refugee claimants and newcomers to Canada in East Vancouver.
Volunteers are needed for the 10-week Spring Term from April 15th – June 20th, 2008. Volunteers can come 1-2 times per week for 2-hour classes in the morning or evening on specific days. No previous training or experience is needed for being a host-friend - spending time with students and orienting them to life in Canada, or help with an ESL Bible Study, refreshments, administration, typing, fundraising, special events, childcare.
Please call Christina Chiu for more info (604-327-6262) or email christina_chiu@hotmail.com and put “Kingcrest” on the subject line.
Since the war began in Iraq in 2003, several million Iraqis have fled for their lives, and are scattered in Northern Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. Estimates range from 1.5 to 2 million in Syria alone. These refugees live primarily in Damascus in below code cinder block apartments where the rent ranges from $200 to $600. During my first trip to Damascus last October I was stunned to learn that no NGO’s were officially on the ground according to the UNHCR. They said that the Red Crescent had not been giving approval to NGO’s applications.
We interviewed 15 families and the stories were of brutal treatment by terrorists in Iraq. Many had lost loved ones. Most had lost money trying to ransom loved ones from kidnappers. They showed us their passports that said, “Work not permitted” and told us they were required to renew their visas every three months at the Syrian Embassy in Baghdad. Most had sold their furniture to put food on the table and we heard stories of children being sold into prostitution for food. They were simply hopeless. Three churches on the ground have been trying to help but are tapped out even helping a few families.
It felt like we had stumbled upon a huge secret and I determined to try to stir up some dialogue in my arenas of influence. I was in Washington DC two times recently and the second time met with the Syrian Ambassador and the Secretary of the Embassy in the office of a Congressman. The Ambassador said they *do* need help from NGO’s and told me to use the Secretary as a liaison but they couldn’t be funded by the US government.
In conversation with the Secretary, he prefers that I be the liaison between the NGO’s and the Embassy. Also, when I met with the US State Department, they said that if we have contacts with the local church on the ground that it would be good to work through them because the political solution is not likely.
So, this is a huge opportunity for the Body of Christ to impact the nations in giving aid to the suffering Iraqi refugees in a strategic region. I am willing to be a facilitator if anyone is interested in being in country officially.
Betsy Brown
Heartsong Ministries
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