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From Pastor Vida:

Family from Afghanistan

In Fall of 2023, I received a call from a chaplain at Covenant House in Vancouver - a faith based non-profit who supports and provides emergency housing for at risk youth. The chaplain was trying to help a youth bring her family from Afghanistan to Canada. The family was currently living in Pakistan where they had taken refuge after the USA withdrawal. Chaplain K. had already been in touch with a church and synagogue who experessed interest in offering financial support but were not in a position to become official sponsors. Chaplain K. was wondering if Gloria Dei would be willing to be the co-sponsor and act as a trustee of funds collected by other churches. The request was presented to Church Council. After more information was receivecd about the family as well as liaising with the Anglican Refugee Unit who confirmed that they still had sponsorhip spots available for 2023, the Council agreed to undertake a co-sponosorhip role. 

The good news is that the First Church of the Nazarene has collected 90% of the $55, 000 funds necessary to support the family through the first year. This means the Anglican Refugee Unit has given the green light to Fatima (the youth) to proceed with filling out the necessary paperwork and once completed the application will be sent to Canada's Immigration and Refugee agency. 

You can learn more about Fatima's family's story here.  If you would like to help close the remaining funding gap you can write a cheque or e-transfer to Gloria Dei simply noting Afghani family sponsorhip. For e-transfer - gloriadei5838@gmail.com.You can also donate through the Canada Helps Page, but a 4% processing fee will be deducted from your donation.  

Family from Ethiopia 

During the pandemic Gloria Dei was approached by the Anglican Refugee Unit with a request to co-sponsor a family - a young couple with a baby from Ethiopia. Extended family in Canada, led by the couple's aunt, have already collected the necessary funds. We are waiting to hear news of when this family can be expected to arrive in Canada.