When Liberian refugee Esther Gmah was in hospital for months last fall, she had time on her hands to hatch a plan.

“I want to visit all the churches helping my family,” she announced to a refugee sponsorship committee volunteer one day. “To say thank you,” she added.

Several parishes raised money and did paperwork to bring the family from a refugee camp in Ivory Coast to Canada last July, and volunteers have been helping them to acclimatize to Canadian life.

GATHERING – Parishioners from St. John’s in Gagetown and St. Stephen’s in Queenstown put on a reception for the Liberian refugee family sponsored by several parishes in the Greater Fredericton archdeaconry.

It was almost Christmas when she was released from hospital, winter storms were brewing, and it was not the best time for a woman who must use a walker to start hitting the road. However, Esther was determined.

So far, she has worshipped at several of the churches involved in the sponsorship of her family. Prior to her hospitalization, the family had attended services at St. Margaret’s in Fredericton, situated near their apartment, and have returned there, too.

I want to visit all the churches helping my family.

Despite wintry weather, they have made the rounds, taking part in a Christmas Day service at Christ Church Cathedral and later trying the 10 o’clock and 11:45 services. They have also made a few Sunday trips to St. Mary York and to Christ Church Parish Church with sponsorship committee members.

VALENTINE FLOWERS – Esther Gmah smiles upon receiving a bouquet of flowers from parishioners during a visit to St. John’s Anglican Church in Gagetown.

Sunday, Feb. 12^Th, was a highlight for the whole family because they travelled much farther afield to meet people who have helped them. At a worship service in St. John’s Anglican at Gagetown, they received beautiful, handmade valentines from children in the congregation.

Joined by parishioners from St. Stephen’s in Queenstown, people from St. John’s held a reception afterwards and presented colourful flowers and boxes of chocolates to the family. Esther’s daughter, 17-year-old Catherine, pronounced the day “awesome.” The family was invited to come back for a service in the summer, perhaps to enjoy a picnic and a boat ride on the St. John River.

WELCOME – The Rev. Christian Persaud welcomes Phillip Weah to a reception following a worship service at St. John’s Anglican Church in Gagetown in February.

The Rev. Christian Persaud, who oversees multi-point parishes, said he would like them to visit the Parish of Cambridge and Waterborough which has also contributed to the refugee sponsorship fund. Esther had no idea where the church of the Good Shepherd in Cambridge Narrows might be, but she readily agreed to a future visit.

There was a sad event the same week as the joyous visit to Gagetown. St. Mary York volunteer Anne Buckland died unexpectedly. The family cried while attending the funeral of “a good lady” whom they adored.

Anglican churches in the Marysville area of Fredericton, Stanley, Nasonworth, Zealand and Fredericton Junction are also on the roster although visits have not yet been arranged.

“God is good to us, and we say thank you very, very much to be here in Canada,” Esther’s husband, Phillip Weah, summed up.

Ann Deveau

In Liberia your relatives and friends dance and sing to celebrate your birthday, but Catherine Gmah just turned 17 and found out how it’s done in Canada.

Several people from the archdeaconry’s refugee sponsorship committee gathered at the Liberian family’s apartment on Catherine’s special day. One arrived with colourful balloons, another carried a beautifully decorated cake, and others brought cards or presents.

Catherine, who can be shy sometimes, was delighted to be the centre of attention.

Anne Hunt and Gail McGillivray from the cathedral lit 17 candles on the cake and explained that a secret wish is made while everyone sings “happy birthday to you” and the candles are blown out. Catherine giggled so much at the whole idea that it took a few breaths to extinguish all the candles. Everyone clapped, and her parents were as pleased as Catherine.

Among other gifts, she received a shawl, a calendar, a bracelet, cash and gift cards to buy clothes or snacks. She had not expected anything like this to happen so soon after Christmas when the whole family received presents from some of the parishes supporting them during their first year in Canada.

They don’t care for some of the food they have tried in Canada, but the whole family likes sweets. Catherine enjoyed the delicious cake and thanked her Canadian friends.

Her Dad, Phillip Weah, shook everyone’s hand in gratitude. He will be the next one to celebrate a birthday as his is in March. Catherine’s mother Esther and her brother Arene have birthdays in April.

Ann Deveau