How can we welcome newcomers into our neighborhood?

There are some countries that we cannot get a visa to enter their countries as missionaries, but many of the hard to reach people groups are living right here as our neighbours.

How can we welcome them into our neighborhood?  About a year ago, I took Go Bus to commute to work from Richmond Hill to Square One, Mississauga everyday.  It was a long bus ride about 1 hour and 30 min.  It could be kind of dull, dry, and boring as you can imagine if you have to do that everyday.  Although I had to run around the city, I was really thankful for these bus trips because not only did I bump into many old friends; I met many new ones as well.  

My friends call my commute a magic bus ride :)  I bump into my friend's friend who came from Iran to study engineering at U of T.  I met two Chinese friends because we just keep seeing each other everyday taking the same bus going to and coming back from work.  As our conversations unfold, I learned about their professions in their home countries as a medical doctor and a software engineer.  As our friendship grows, I got to listen to both their struggles and joy living in Canada.

Below are some sample questions that may help you to start a conversation to care about your neighbour!

Family Life & Cultural Adaptation
1. When did you come to Canada?  What brought you here?
2. Why did you choose Canada as a place to live?
3. What is your home language?
4. What is the biggest challenge (if any) that you encounter trying to integrate into the Canadian Culture?  Main concerns?  (e.g. finding near-by grocery stores, finding out about public transport, paying bills, learning about new regulations of the health care & educational system, finding a job, financial, income tax & legal services, childcare services)

Work & Education Opportunities

5. Usually people move to other countries to seek better education and work opportunities, what is the challenge that you face as you are searching for education or employment opportunities? (Language barrier? Prior credentials not recognized in Canada?)

Languages & Interpersonal Relationships

6. Are there any resource or people who helped you as you try to settle in the new neighbourhood?  What are some of the main concerns you hear expressed most often in your community?
7. Companions can introduce new immigrants to various concepts of the new society, do you have other family or friends living close-by that you feel you can turn to during a difficult moment?

Questions for specific cultural group - if your friends are from India

8. Have you heared that Canada declared 2011 to be the Year of India?  (A kick-off conference “The Day of Overseas Indians in Toronto” was held on June 9, 2011).
9. What surprises you the most in the Canadian culture, what can Canada learn from India?

Ministry

10. Are you currently attending church?
11. How can we help you to integrate into various aspects of church life?
12. Referral - provide a website or a key contact person who can give direction on how to join and participate in events and programs