Prayer Pilgrimage on the Refugee Highway

What is it?   

A pilgrimage is a trip that is spiritually motivated. Pilgrims stop to pray, worship, and reflect along the way. This particular pilgrimage is intended to bring Christians together to be physically present in a strategic place for refugees- the Canada-US border at Pembina-Emerson. It is time set apart to intercede and to actively listen to God and those we meet along the way. It is a communal experience, a bringing together of spiritual gifts and hearts to hear from God as we pray and learn together. 

Who is leading this Prayer Pilgrimage? IAFR team members- Sharon Schmidt, Alison Witt and Sarah Miller. 

Why join this Pilgrimage? 

1. To grow in practices of prayer and discernment. Our day will be shaped around a rhythm of prayer and group reflection. 

2. To learn about asylum seekers crossing the US/Canada border and what our response could be. 

3. To get to know other leaders who are interested in engaging with refugees. 

Why pray at the Pembina-Emerson border crossing? 

● It’s a liminal space- a place where life and death decisions are made and life altering actions occur. (Please note: there will be no political statement or advocacy as part of this experience) 

● It is also a symbolic place and a contentious place. This border is representative of all the other unofficial, and official, crossing points along our shared borders. ● We believe that this is a place God is leading us to go and pray. 

Questions we’re prayerfully taking with us: 

● What are our neighbours saying? We will listen to key people- those with lived experience as refugees and those who support them 

● What is the Lord saying? What does He want us to see, to do or not do? 

When is it? Wednesday, October 16th, departing from Winnipeg at 10:45 am, meeting in Emerson, Manitoba at 12:30 pm. We will return by early evening. 

Register by Oct 4th. The number of participants will be limited. 

Cost: 

● There is a suggested donation of $25 to participate. This will allow us to bless the non-profits and refugees we will visit with an expression of gratitude for their time and effort. 

● It’s a 1.5 hour drive to the border. The cost of shared transportation will be split between all the participants. 

● More details will be sent out. Interested? Email Sharon@iafr.ca