When you start a journey, sometimes you don't know how it's going to end.
That's the case of a Coquitlam church that has been working since last January to bring refugees to Canada.
After weeks of not knowing how and when their sponsored families would arrive, the congregation of St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Parish can sleep well knowing one foursome from Syria is housed nearby and another family of five Iraqis will be here by the end of the month.
Prayers have definitely been answered, said Darrell McLeod, who is helping organize the church's refugee sponsorship program.
"Last week, we were praying that they would arrive safely and now they are here," said McLeod, describing the Syrian family's arrival as emotional.
"They were tired, but also thankful to be in Canada. They had Canadian flags, Canadian pins, they couldn't be more excited to start life here."
The story of the first family's arrival began last week, when the sponsors were told a Syrian family they applied for in November would arrive ahead of an Iraqi family for which they submitted documentation earlier in the fall.
McLeod said an apartment was ready for the Iraqi family, expected to arrive at the end of the month, but not for the Syrian family because there was no word on their arrival. But within days of notification last week, the church had secured an apartment on Cottonwood Avenue and all the supplies needed, including new linens and dishes.
"They're here and people are coming forth volunteering," McLeod said, noting that the church will be financing two families over the next year, a commitment expected to cost between $50,000 and $70,000 for both. As well, a dentist has been found to do check-ups, teachers are offering English language help, and other church members will be helping the families get settled and their children registered for school.
Both families are Christian and suffered for their religion, with all their belongings taken away. The Syrian family has been hiding in a church basement after the father was kidnapped and later found, and the Iraqi family narrowly escaped with passports hidden in their baby's diapers.
McLeod said the families have relatives in Metro Vancouver, with the Iraqi family to live in Surrey and the Coquitlam congregation providing support.
A fundraising concert is planned for Feb. 6, and there is hope the families will attend.
"We want to make sure they're here and they need some time to rest. We'll invite them and hope they will come."
As for the final journey, one Iraqi family still has a long trip to make and McLeod and St. Clare members hope it will be a safe and happy one.
• More information about the concert can be found here.
