WENYIN – THE FACE OF INSPIRATION

When you meet Wenyin for the first time you are struck by his beaming smile and humble nature. And when you hear about his journey over the past year, you can’t help but be amazed by how much he has turned his life around in such a short space of time.

Wenyin is 36 and emigrated to Canada with his mother and sister from South Sudan fourteen years ago seeking asylum from persecution. Wenyin struggled for many of those fourteen years, and his self-destructive behaviour caused a rift in his family.

Things came to a head in the fall of 2016 when Wenyin lost his property management job and his apartment. He came to The Ottawa Mission in crisis and has not turned back. Right away he started attending our Day Program – a drop in session for men suffering from addiction. He also visited our medical clinic where he received treatment for depression, and strengthened his commitment to healing by attending our daily chapel service and participating in bible study.

When Wenyin learned about our Stepping Stones Learning Centre, he grasped the opportunity to improve his future job prospects by working on completing his high school education. At this writing, he is just a couple of months away from achieving this. But there’s more! Wenyin also completed a Custodial Training Program offered by St. Nicholas Adult High School, and this summer he is working every morning at Inspiration Village in the Byward Market as part of a maintenance team keeping the site in pristine condition.

As Wenyin says, “Before I came to The Mission, I had never completed anything I started, and I was wasting my life. Now, with the support and encouragement of everyone I have met at The Mission, I have accomplished more than I could have imagined. They keep me motivated and I still feel inspired every day.”

Congratulations, Wenyin. We are inspired too!