Walking together: Healing and hope for Colombian refugees

w a l k i n g
t o g e t h e r
91
Some ideas:
1. Many Colombians are great cooks and have experience preparing for large groups of
people. Why not find out if they would be interested in helping with ministries such as
soup kitchens, or helping in the kitchen for church events?
2. If the refugee family has children that become involved in youth groups or children’s
clubs at church, think about if there are ways that the parents could become
involved as volunteers in those spaces: chaperoning or accompanying youth events
or helping out in children’s clubs or DVBS in a role appropriate to their abilities and
language level.
3. If your church has community service activities such visiting care homes, cleaning yards,
volunteering in a thrift shop or a sewing circle, invite members of the refugee family to
join in. Many may have musical talent to contribute during visits to elderly care homes,
for example.
4. Is there any way that you could involve the refugee family in the activities of the Sunday
morning service? Find out of they have musical talents. Perhaps you could invite them to
teach a simple Spanish worship song to the congregation one Sunday or read a portion
of scripture (even in Spanish). What about child care during the service, or handing
out bulletins or greeting people as they come in or leave church (once the family feels
comfortable in the church)?
5. Remember that connecting the refugee family to service activities is not the same as
having free help - e.g. someone who will clean or do yard maintenance for free. Be
intentional about finding a meaningful context of service that feels rewarding to the
refugee.
ADVOCACY & PEACEBUILDING
The Colombian refugee family you sponsor may feel great concern for family members and friends that
they left behind, and may wish that they could “do something” or be part of some kind of action that
could make a difference in the lives of their loved ones in Colombia. In fact, taking part in advocacy or
peacebuilding efforts could be one of the ways that the family is able to construct new meaning in life
as they begin anew in Canada.
Advocacy for Colombia is something that not only the refugee family could get involved in but that your
church might want to consider as well. If you’ve sponsored a Colombian refugee family you are likely
concerned about the situation of human rights violations and violence in Colombia.
Here are some ideas to get you started thinking about how your church community could
engage in advocacy along side the Colombian refugee family:
1. Become involved in Days of Prayer and Action, a annual campaign focusing on North
American churches and governments to promote prayer and advocacy for displaced