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Like the refugees they serve, New Hope Community Church (NHCC), Kitchener has no home of its own. The church rents space in Wilfred Laurier University. And yet, this small church of only 100 people (including children) raised $18,000 in the 2007 Ride for Refugees.
New Hope was able to get back 50% of that sum because of the Matching Funds Program and the Ride Partner Grant. This money was divided into thirds and used to help refugees in three ways.
First, NHCC sent gifts and food at Christmas to more than 30 Sudanese refugee families who are associated with their partner church, the Sudanese Community Church in KW. NHCC wrote a cheque for the money that was left over so that the Sudanese church could buy a laptop and a VPU. NHCC has been a supportive partner to this Sudanese church for four years providing resources such as people and finances.
Secondly, New Hope donated 1/3 to Welcome Home, a refugee housing project in KW. New Hope, a long-time supporter of this project, has sent volunteers, engaged in hospitality and even taught ESL at Welcome Home.
Finally, 1/3 of this money was used to support an intern currently working at Welcome Home.
Members of New Hope Community Church, including the children and teens, were captured by the Ride. A team of fifteen bikers between the ages of 4 and 50 participated. Pastor Steve Tulloch (50), who until the day of the ride had personally raised the largest amount, rode the full 100 km.
"Refugees have lost so much," he said. "They've lost their homes and homeland, families, relationships. They've found their way to Canada but here they have no resources, no support, no family or friends. They're alone in a foreign land. Our hearts are captured by the plight of these displaced peoples.
God tells us to take care of those on the margins who have experienced pain and loss. We can't say we feel God's heart unless we feel concern for refugees."
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