Elina* arrived in Canada in June 2024 with her mother, her sister and brother-in-law, and the couple’s child. We cannot share their pictures. Elina’s sister and mother have requested we not do so. Like many families who escape conflict and oppression, they fear what sharing their story and image could mean for the safety of loved ones left behind in their homeland.
But Elina wants to share her story. She says she wants to be a voice for oppressed women in her home country, Afghanistan. She longs for other Afghan women to experience the freedom she now enjoys.
What is freedom for Elina?
“Freedom is being able to sleep peacefully without terrifying nightmares,” she explains. “Not having to hide the fact that I am a girl—and above all, the kindness I have received from Canadians. They truly care about us. Thank you for giving us the gift of freedom.”
With support from World Renew’s Refugee Sponsorship and Resettlement Team, a Baptist church in Ontario sponsored Elina and her family after they fled Afghanistan and sought asylum in Pakistan. As Christians, the family faced persecution in their homeland and, like many others, chose to flee rather than live in hiding.
But life as refugees did not bring immediate safety. They continued to live with uncertainty—fear of being unable to afford basic necessities, fear of unsafe housing, and fear of never having a place to truly call home. Through it all, Elina placed her trust in God’s love.
“Our Lord Jesus Christ was with me and my family throughout this journey. We are one in the body of Christ,” she says.
Today, Elina continues to hold on to faith and trust in God’s goodness as she settles into life in Ontario. She gives thanks to God for a place she can now call home.
“I was able to connect with the community, and I can truly say that Canada feels like home to me,” she shares.
She also rejoices in the freedom she now has to worship openly.
“I am able to attend church freely and read the Bible—something I could never do in the past,” she says. “I no longer need to hide myself.”
Elina understands that freedom does not mean life is without challenges. She is eager to work and contribute meaningfully to her new community.
“Finding a job is very difficult, and I have not yet been able to enter my professional field. However, I will soon start volunteering to help newly arrived immigrants,” she explains. “My hope is to become a successful dentist and to serve the country that accepted me.”
When asked what has helped most as she adjusts to life in Canada, Elina answers simply:
“The love and acceptance I received from the community and the warm welcome extended to us.”
She encourages other newcomers to persevere:
“Strive to be valuable members of society and never stop trying—there is always a light shining through the darkness.”
Around the world, millions of people remain displaced due to conflict, persecution, and injustice. Through refugee sponsorship, churches and communities can play a vital role in offering welcome, safety, and a renewed sense of hope. Together, we can walk alongside families like Elina’s as they rebuild their lives with dignity, belonging, and the freedom to live out their faith.
*To protect the family’s privacy, names have not been provided.
