When the Maranatha Christian Reformed Church community in Lethbridge, Alberta was presented with the opportunity to sponsor the Mabiors—a young South Sudanese family of seven (four adult siblings and three children) living in a refugee camp in Kenya—there was an immediate response.
One member of the refugee sponsorship committee shared, “We needed to make only a few phone calls to get seven or eight enthusiastic positive responses. Whatever each person’s reason for volunteering—immigrant roots, Sudanese connections, passion for people and their stories, conviction that our wealth needs to be shared—we also believed that God was calling us to welcome this family to our community.”
Below is the committee’s shared account of the journey—from preparation to welcome to ongoing companionship.
Walking the Road to Welcome
“Starting with paperwork in 2019, we relied heavily on the expertise and encouragement provided by World Renew’s Refugee Sponsorship and Resettlement Program team. Surprisingly, the fundraising was not onerous. People gave generously!
Nevertheless, we faced plenty of challenges together: communicating with the family across time zones and with intermittent cell phone service, navigating language barriers, accessing photos, and adapting during COVID restrictions—all while learning about a new culture. Yet every time we hit a barrier, a solution emerged through someone in our church or wider community.
We discovered that while God was using our individual gifts, we were also being gifted in surprising ways. We learned to rely on his provision—and on each other.”
A New Beginning Together
“When the Mabiors arrived on June 15, 2022, the work multiplied—along with the joy. Though overwhelmed and tired after days of travel, they immediately embraced our group at the airport as friends. An even larger group welcomed them into their new home, where they shared their gratitude and entrusted us with their next chapter.
Three days later, all seven family members attended church. Bol (one of the adult brothers), whose English was strong, stood and thanked the congregation and God our Father for ‘caring about us.’”
Learning, Adjusting, and Growing
“Even though it was summer, each family member remembers that first month as very cold—the most difficult part of adjusting to their new life. After their first full winter, they are proud that they are ‘getting used to it,’ though Deng (one of the children) still thinks ‘snowpants and boots are the worst.’ Bol has even taken on a snow-shovelling job.
Beyond the cold, learning English has been the family’s biggest challenge. At the same time, they agree that attending school is the best part of their new life.
Bol says they feel incredibly fortunate because everything they needed was provided—and they are never lonely because there are always people around. The adults are looking forward to employment opportunities and building a stable future. The children are thriving through school and activities, enjoying time at the swimming pool and sledding hill, and looking forward to playing soccer, basketball, and riding bikes again in warmer weather.
So, would we recommend sponsoring? Yes. Is it a lot of work and time? Yes—absolutely. There are unexpected challenges: navigating transportation systems, completing government and school paperwork, attending medical appointments, and discerning how and when to support growing independence.
But there is also deep joy.
We discovered the generosity within our community. We learned that cultural differences enrich rather than divide. We were strengthened in our faith through working together. And most of all, we formed lasting relationships—we have new friends and family to love.”
A continuing journey
Around the world, millions of people are displaced and seeking safety, stability, and a place to belong. Stories like this one reflect what’s possible when communities come together to offer welcome, walk alongside newcomers, and build lasting relationships grounded in dignity and hope.
