Step 1 - Flee for Safety - Distance: 394 km
Reflection:
FLEE FOR SAFETY – ESCAPE TO EGYPT: Mt 2: 13-15: Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”
REFLECTION - Mary, Joseph and Jesus were refugees, fleeing for safety since Herod threatened to put Jesus to death.
SILENCE
Let us give thanks to God that the Holy Family was kept safe and for all current refugees that they will be kept safe. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
The Albed/Alhamad/Wahid Story
The Syrian civil war began in 2011. Fighting near the city of Raqqa in 2011 forced Zahra Albed and her children Nadia, Kais, Zeinab, Ammar, Ibrahim, and Zamzam Alhamad to leave their home and flee for safety. They first went to live with relatives in Al hadayriat (Location of Zahra's parents), located about 30 km away from their original house. While living with these relatives Zahra made the perilous journey back to her abandoned home to retrieve food and other items they needed to survive. On the way she was threatened by armed soldiers but made it back safely.
In 2012, the family moved to Lebanon. When they left Syria, they became refugees.
The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) defines refugees as follows: Refugees are people who have fled war, violence, conflict or persecution and have crossed an international border to find safety in another country. They often have had to flee with little more than the clothes on their back, leaving behind homes, possessions, jobs and loved ones. Refugees are defined and protected in international law. The 1951 Refugee Convention is a key legal document and defines a refugee as: “someone who is unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion.” By the end of 2017, there were 25.4 million refugee men, women and children registered across the world.
Step 2 - Find Shelter - Distance 400 km
The Birth of Jesus: Luke 2:1-7: In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
REFLECTION – Mary and Joseph found shelter in a humble stable where Mary gave birth to Jesus and laid him in a lowly manger with the animals gathered around.
SILENCE
We give thanks to God that the Holy Family found a safe place for Jesus to be born and for the safe homes we are privileged to live in. We pray for Nadia, Ibrahim and daughter Rahma, that they will stay safe in Lebanon amid violence and discrimination. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
The Albed/Alhamad/Wahid Story
It is estimated that 5.2 million have fled from Syria since the beginning of the civil war and another 6.4 million have been displaced within the country. These figures represent about half the population. Of those who left, more than 1 million registered as refugees with UNHCR in Lebanon. The Lebanese government estimates that the real total of Syrians in Lebanon is likely more than 1.5 million.
There are no formal refugee camps in Syria. Zahra led her family to Ferzol, Lebanon where she knew that other family members had already located. Like most other Syrian refugees, Zahra and her family lived in an informal settlement, making arrangements with local landowners. Zahra and her family found work where they could and sometimes suffered from discrimination directed towards Syrian refugees. The children missed about four years of education.
While in Lebanon, Nadia met and married Ibrahim Wahid. They later had a daughter Rahma who is now three. Nadia also gave birth to 3 sons who died in infancy, possibly due to lack of access to adequate health care. Nadia's marriage was to have unintended consequences later.
Step 3 - Apply for Refugee Status - Distance 600 km
Jeremiah 29:11- For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.
REFLECTION – The ancient prophet Jeremiah first spoke these words to God’s chosen people, the Israelites, who were living in exile in Babylon. They were experiencing hardship and suffering and crying out to be rescued. Thankfully God did fulfill the promise spoken by Jeremiah and eventually they were set free.
SILENCE
Loving God, we believe that you love all people and desire that all people live in safety. We pray for a world where people do not need to flee from the sanctuaries of their homes, due to war and other kinds of disasters. We are thankful that Zahra and all her family were granted refugee status and that she and five of her children are here and adjusting well. Thanks be to God! Amen.
The Albed/Alhamad/Wahid Story
In 2013 , Zahra Albed visited the UNHCR office in Beirut, Lebanon to register herself and her children as refugees.
Step 4 - Interview with Canada's Representative - Distance 500 km
Philippians 4:6-7—Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and yours minds in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 34:18—The Lord is near to the broken hearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
REFLECTION—I would imagine that Zahra and family were anxious as they waited to see if Zahra would be invited to have an interview with the Canadian representative, and whether they would be accepted to come to Canada. Thankfully, four weeks later Zahra, Kais, Zeinab, Ammar, Ibrahim and Zamzam were approved to travel here, but the news came mixed with sadness: Nadia and Ibrahim had to stay behind, due to their marriage. Since then, Nadia and Ibrahim have been interviewed, but do not know at this time if they have been accepted to come to Canada.
SILENCE
God of peace, you promise to be with us always, through all the varying experiences of our lives. May Zahra and her children, including Nadia, Ibrahim and Rahma, know your loving presence in their lives. Calm their fears as they wait to hear if they will be reunited. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
The Albed/Alhamad/Wahid Story
Zahra was called for an interview with the Canadian representative. She and her children also were required to have medical examinations and security checks. After a wait of 4 weeks, they were approved to come to Canada in 2016 along with some 25,000 other refugees.
Sadly, however, Nadia and Ibrahim could not accompany them because, when Nadia got married, she was no longer considered part of Zahra's family. So Zahra's family had to be separated.
Step 5 Fly to Canada - 3,600 km
Jeremiah 20:13: Sing to the Lord; praise the Lord! For the Lord has delivered the life of the needy from the hands of evil doers.
REFLECTION—What a blessing that Zahra and her children arrived safely in Saskatoon in 2016.
SILENCE
Merciful God, we rejoice on the safe arrival of Zahra Albed and her children Kais, Zeinab, Ammar, Ibrahim, and Zamzam Alhamad in Canada and are grateful for all those who have welcomed them so warmly. It is our prayer that Nadia, Ibrahim and Rahma will be granted the opportunity to come here and join the rest of the family. Amen.
Zahra’s son Kais Alhamad describes the family’s journey to Saskatoon:
We received a call from a counsel at the Canadian embassy in Lebanon. He informed us to prepare ourselves and be ready to travel to Canada. He said your schedule for airplane will be on January 4, 2016. We were happy, and excited to come to Canada even though we don’t know anyone in Canada. We were also afraid because we don’t speak English and don’t know how to communicate with people, and it was the first time for us to fly in airplane. But as soon we arrived to Toronto we were welcomed in the best way with love, and generosity ( I will never forget that moment). It was the beginning of a safe, and better new life. We felt that we are in our home and country. We waited three days in Toronto until the government decided our direction to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. I was shocked when we arrived to Saskatoon, because of the cold weather. I thought no one lives here. We met Lucretia, our counselor from Open Door Society at Saskatoon airport for the first time. We arrived to Saskatoon in January 7th 2016. We moved to a hotel for two weeks until we found a house to live in. We lived in an apartment for two years and continue studying and learning English and finding a job and contributing with the society and be part of it. I completed high school and am moving forward to secondary education. Thanks to the Canadian government for giving us the opportunity to live and work in peace and having a better life for us and our kids. Also thanks to the Canadians who embraced and welcomed use and shared their homes and money with us. Peace, love and generosity are all in your hearts, Thank you.