Advent Shelter: Devotion # 10

 

Refugees: Finding Home  -- by Amana

 

Living in a house with lots of people can be both fun and tough. There’s always noise, laughter, and stories being told, but it can also feel crowded at times. It takes patience to share space and make sure everyone feels cared for or has space for some alone time. Helping our new family members settle in Canada has been a big responsibility too, mostly for my parents (as it means doing a lot of paperwork and helping them figure out how things work here). Whereas I get to do all the fun parts, like helping them learn new things, like which fast food restaurants are the best, or going out with them and showing them where all the fun places are, and occasionally cheering them up when they start missing home. It’s hard and fun work; it’s also really rewarding because you see their hope grow as they settle into a new life, and you also get to learn about current and past life back home.

 

An example of this is my grandmother, who has taught me so much through her stories. Like the wars she’s lived through, the people she lost, and even funny stories of how my mother was being mischievous (although my mother says she was a well-behaved kid growing up). She’s been through a lot in her life—wars, being separated from family, and even losing some. Despite all those challenges, she shows so much strength and faith. She reminds me that even when life is hard, trusting God can give you peace. I’m learning from her that real shelter isn’t just about having a house; it’s about being surrounded by love, support, and hope for the future.

 

Prayer: 

Dear God, we pray for families who have had to leave their homes as refugees. Please keep them safe and give them hope. For those living in refugee camps, help them find comfort and protection. Show us how to share what we have so that others can feel Your love and care. Thank You for being a shelter for everyone who needs You. Amen.

 

 This picture is a map that Bob put up in the fellowship hall. People place a tab with their name on it and put a pin in their country of origin. The signs say "I am from..." in various languages.

The Welcome Angels flag is from the Rhenish Lutheran Church in Toronto. Our confirmation classes wrote letters to each other. Welcome Angel is a project that welcomes new immigrants and refugees, most recently Ukrainians and Chinese.