In the midst of the global pandemic, on August 15, 2020, Ayan and her four children arrived in Alberta. After years of refugee life in Malaysia—marked by food shortages, uncertainty, and crowded living conditions—the family finally reached a place they hoped to call home.

They were welcomed by members of Neerlandia Christian Reformed Church, who had sponsored the family and carefully prepared for their arrival. Ayan and her children safely completed quarantine and, today, are settling into life in Canada. For them, “home” is no longer just a distant hope, but a lived reality.
For millions of others, that hope remains out of reach.

A Global Reality of Waiting

Around the world, refugees are displaced by conflict, persecution, and violence. Many families live for years—sometimes decades—without permanent status, access to stable food systems, or opportunities to plan for the future. Children grow up surrounded by uncertainty as parents wait for news that could change everything.

Global crises, including pandemics and conflict, have shown how fragile refugee pathways can be. Families who are approved and ready to travel can suddenly find themselves paused indefinitely, unsure when—or if—the doors will open again.

When “Almost There” Turns Into Limbo

Malissa Huillery, a member of the refugee sponsorship committee at River Community Christian Reformed Church in Edmonton, has witnessed this waiting firsthand.

Her church sponsored Syrian refugees Jina and Haitham in 2015. Over time, the relationship grew into a close friendship. In 2018, the couple asked whether the church would consider sponsoring their cousins.
The answer was immediate and enthusiastic.

The sponsorship application was submitted in September 2019. By February 2020, the family had completed their interviews and believed they were just steps away from beginning a new life in Canada.
Then travel came to a sudden halt.

“It was heartbreaking for both us and for the family—here they were, just stuck… again,” Malissa says.

Ready to Welcome, Unable to Receive

Like many churches and sponsorship groups across Canada, River Community Church remained ready. Plans were made, housing was prepared, and volunteers stood willing to support all required health and safety measures.

But despite that readiness, they could only wait.

“We’ve been frustrated for the last year without answers and without a clear timeline,” Malissa explains. “I can’t even imagine how the refugees themselves are feeling.” She adds: “This is their whole life. Their kids were born in their country of asylum. They’re waiting for a home. If anything should be classified as essential, it should be refugee travel.”

A Call to Stand With Those Who Wait

For people of faith, stories like these are more than statistics or policy discussions. They remind us of our call to stand with those seeking justice, safety, and dignity.

Refugee families waiting to rebuild their lives need advocates who will keep their stories visible—and who will continue to speak up when waiting stretches on far longer than it should.

Thank you for standing with refugees—through advocacy, prayer, and faithful presence.

To learn more, visit World Renew’s Refugee Sponsorship and Resettlement program and discover how you can be part of stories of welcome and belonging.