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| Talika's family is here! Welcome Mohamad, Fatima, Rayane and Moussa! |
CBC Story with Video of the Reunion
It was over a year ago that a compassionate and willing group of regular citizens saw a need and said, yes. They stepped up to become helpers and answered the call to assist people who had been displaced by a terrible circumstance, not of their making. This group of volunteers raised funds, prepared a beautiful home and readied for their imminent arrival.
Life had other plans as it often does. It became a long and arduous path in the quest to bring the Moufleh family to Lewisporte. In fact, it was way back at the time this blog was created, that the wheels were first set in motion to resettle the Syrian family, to the town. Delays beset their efforts, mostly of a bureaucratic nature. Still, they worked, hopeful that things would resolve and they would arrive.
Blended amongst the frustrating ones, there were some hopeful and happy moments. For example, they were delighted when a call came asking to accept Talika (as well as her son's family) and of course the committee replied with a prompt yes. They were further overjoyed when she arrived.
The expectation at that time was that her family was to follow not long after her, just weeks later.
But the weeks turned to months. Time passed and hopes were dampened. Letters were sent, phone calls were made. Every possible step was taken to hasten the reunion. Talika, and her family's stress, at being a world apart, grew. The committee felt their anxiety and worried with them. As their love for Talika grew, their sadness at her loneliness without her family multiplied. Their reassurances were many and all they had to offer at times. It was not enough. They needed to be reunited.
Then, finally, word came that things had cleared up, the red tape unstuck, and once more they prepared.
The burden in the hearts of all was lifted when the confirmation came that their plane had arrived in Toronto. They were safely in the country and on their way. One more delay and now, eight months later, they would be, together.
Finally, the night arrived. It was an emotional meeting in Gander as they embraced. Dry eyes were a rarity as they came together. The culmination of hard work, patience and faith resulting in their joyful reunion.
Mohamad, Fatima, Rayane and Moussa arrived, on St. Patrick's Day, and are today, safely in their home in Lewisporte! The prayer of St. Patrick's says, in part,"May the strength of God pilot them."
Now on a day in his honour, they have been piloted home.
After leaving Syria several years ago, they are now in a place of safety and peace. And more importantly, they are in this place together. Three generations of the Moufleh family are ready to forge new friendships and embrace a new life in a foreign but friendly and safe land.
May every opportunity for success and happiness that Canada offers, be theirs.
Humans are made for compassion and love. They are altered sometimes and lose sight of that in this arduous journey called life, but it is their true vocation.
As the Dalai Lama said, "if you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion."
They're all happy in Lewisporte.
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| Together at Last |
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| The Welcoming Committee! |
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| Welcome to Canada Moufleh Family! |
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| Some friends with Talika as she awaits the flight! |
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| Talika being interviewed by the CBC, Naz translates |
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| Naz Faidullah has helped with translation since Talika arrived. |
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| Being greeted by Committee Member Joan Russell |
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| Finally, Mother, Son, Daughter-in-law and grandchildren! A family, reunited, in Canada! |
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| The Lewisporte Committee was joined by friends from the Gander Refugee Outreach and some of the new Syrian-Canadian families they've brought to the town. |
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| Introductions and a welcome from Rev. and Ruth Elliott! |
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| Naz translates the Moufleh family's words of appreciation. |
