Interviews on Dec. 29th Went Well for the Alaameri Family

Kareem and his family had their interviews on Dec. 29th and they went very well.  They were interviewed in their country of asylum via Skype.  At the end of the interviews, the Canadian Visa Officer indicated that she accepts their refugee claim and that they will now be referred on for a security review. After the security clearance, medical exams will be arranged.  They are very encouraged and hope that the rest of the process will move quickly but it could take several months.  Thank you for your prayers for this refugee family.

PRAISE ITEM: INTERVIEW DATE RECEIVED - DEC. 29, 2015

The Alaameris will have their interview with Canadian Visa Officials on Tues. Dec. 29, 2015 in their country of asylum.  Please pray for the family as they go through this process.  All members of the family will be interviewed separately, except for the mother.  This interview will decide if  their application will continue through to settlement in Canada or not.

A UNHCR  (The United Nations High Commission for Refugees) staff person in Tunisia called the Alaameri family on Mon. Nov. 17th.  He wanted to confirm that they have applied for settlement in Canada and that they all have their travel documents in order.  No further details were given. Please pray that they will receive an interview date soon.   

Alaameris - Update

Today the Alaameris received an email from the Paris Canadian visa office. They have been asked to fill in extra forms. They were also asked if they could travel to a neighbouring country for their interview.  Being asked if they can travel for their interview is a good sign and we are quite encouraged today.  Hopefully the logistics will be workable and their interview can be arranged soon.  Please keep this family in your prayers.  

A message from Eyobed

[After receiving news that his application cleared the Winnipeg screening and was sent to the Rome visa office for further processing, Eyobed sent the following message.]   I'm really thankful for everything. Our living God answered our prayers, and it's such a great thing.  I really want to take time and thank you. Please tell the church that God our Lord is faithful; He did all this for me and I put my trust in Him.

A message from the Alaameris

We want to thank you for all the support and concern.

We feel stronger and will forever be grateful.  Thank you! 

Praise Items!

 - Today we learned that Eyobed's application has passed through the initial screening in Winnipeg and was sent to the Canadian visa office in Rome.  This is great news and God's provision because it was originally expected to go to Cairo where the processing time is much longer.  We also learned that this mechanism was put in place just last week.  God's timing is perfect!

- This week we received word that the status of the Alaameri family's application, which is at the Paris Canadian visa office, has moved from "application received" to "started processing your application on September 9, 2015".   We still might have several months to wait but we are encouraged that their application is now being reviewed.  

Refugee sponsorship can be a long, complex process - here’s how it works

This is a very helpful article that provides a good overview of the current Canadian refugee sponsorship process [ Globe and Mail Newspaper]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/refugee-sponsorship-can-be-a-long-complex-process---heres-how-it-works/article26323043/?service=mobile

Refugee Camp Tents - Christians have bravely written "Jesus is the Light of the World" on their tents after, in may cases, being forced to mark their faith on their homes in Syria and Iraq which led to their displacement and suffering