The Arrival of the Avalos Family in Canada

March 21, 1990 was a cold, windy and snowy day. Several sponsors boarded a church bus at 6 p.m. to go to the airport to meet a group of Salvadoran refugees from the United Nations "Campo Grande" in Honduras. Our church had responded to a request by MCC to be one of the joint sponsors with the government to help refugees find accommodation, jobs, enroll in classes, and to provide friendship and support while the government assumed financial responsibility. The Refugee Committee consisted of Ida and Tamara Sommer who speak Spanish, Gerhard and Ruth Bachmann, Vidya and Gwen Narmilla and George and Johanna Dyck. We, along with several other groups had attended orientation seminars to acquaint us with government procedures. The Avalos family consisting of parents and four children was assigned to our church.

We learned that after fleeing from El Salvador, they had lived in the camp for ten years and all their children had been born there.

The group of 16 refugees arrived at the Airport from hot, sunny Honduras in light clothing, carrying all their belongings in a few bags. After they were outfitted with warm clothes we boarded the bus for Barons Motor Inn where temporary accommodation was provided for our group. When we arrived late in the evening, the rooms were not ready and we were taken into a downstairs room where an interpreter helped us to become acquainted with our new friends. When Antonio heard that his sponsors were from the Mennonite Brethren Church he told us that the family had become close friends with two MCC workers in the camp who had suggested that they find a Mennonite church when they came to Canada. We marvelled- a coincidence? - no, much more, it was God's direct guidance.

During the next few days they stayed at the Motel while many of the congregation brought over meals for them. The following days were busy as we went shopping for clothes, made doctor and dentist appointments, made school arrangements and found suitable accommodation on McGee Avenue to which many of you donated household items. After a few months a "Canadian" member joined the family - baby boy, Carlos. In 1991 some of Antonio's relatives from the camp joined the family in Canada.

We admired their courage and determination as they adjusted from ten years in a subtropical refugee camp to life in Canada. They struggled with language, medical and dental problems, Marina's hearing, social adjustments and job searches. A number of people in the congregation gave kind assistance to them. Antonio was given a part-time job at the MCC Thrift Store. December 8, 1994 was a special day as they received their Canadian citizenship.

On the first Sunday after their arrival they were welcomed to the church, and even though there was a language barrier they have attended Sunday School and Church services on a regular basis. When the Avaloses moved to Waterloo their new neighbours were the Panameno family with whom they became close friends and invited to our church. Some months ago the Avaloses invited the Carranza family who had arrived in Canada from Honduras at the same time as the Avaloses. Each week we have precious fellowship in our Sunday School class as we share God's word and experience the bond of love that unites God's people.

We were happy that Antonio accepted the position of church custodian, and you may meet position of church custodian, and you may meet him every day as he works to keep the church tidy and clean for all who attend. It was truly God's gracious guidance that brought a Salvadoran family from a refugee camp in Honduras to our church in Kitchener.

by Johanna Dyck