On this blustery morning I stopped at the table of a food vendor at our Belleville Farmer's Market and had a bite to eat and a chat with the two brothers who were selling their savoury wares. They are Syrian-Canadians who arrived in the cold of February, almost four years ago. I teased the owner of the business who is usually there with his wife, asking if there are any more children on the way. His eyes went wide and he shook his head; "no more kids!" he said. Since they have six children, one born here, I can understand why. His brother chuckled and commented, "you never know..."
These two are not among those sponsored by our coalition of faith groups but they all know one another. I mentioned that it was exciting news that one of the dads from our group of 23 has achieved Canadian citizenship, which they had heard. The exam would be a big deal for most made-in-Canada citizens to pass, let alone those who've come from another culture with next to no English. I asked these two guys how much English they knew before arriving and they replied "hello" and "yes" and "no." Yet here we were talking together easily, and sharing humour. They proudly told me that their kids are Canadian, speaking English fluently.
This brief encounter made my day. My admiration is so deep for these resourceful, determined people. I pray that Canadian hearts will not be hardened to immigrants because the need for hospitality is so great. We made the right choice as a nation with Syrian refugees and we can't stop now.
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