Heinrich came to Canada in...
Illustration
Heinrich came to Canada in 1949, together with his young wife and infant son. The first years were tough: few jobs, anti-German sentiment, a strange land. Eventually, however, Heinrich bought a little garage in a small town.
Then came a letter from a man who had been his best friend all through his childhood. The letter was a plea: "Take my little brother into your home in Canada. He has run afoul of the authorities, and I fear for his future. He is a good boy, Heinrich, I can vouch for that." As Heinrich tells the story, he asks rhetorically, "What could I do?"
So, with nothing more than a few memories of a diaper-clad baby, and this letter of recommendation from his old friend, Heinrich accepted the challenge. He collected the lad from the immigration authorities and brought him into his home. Heinrich was nervous and uncertain. But others had helped him; he would return the favor.
The story has a happy ending. After a period of adjustment, the young boy settled into life in his new country, and after graduating high school, bought some land and became a strong member of the church and the community. One wonders, what might have happened if Heinrich had said no?
Then came a letter from a man who had been his best friend all through his childhood. The letter was a plea: "Take my little brother into your home in Canada. He has run afoul of the authorities, and I fear for his future. He is a good boy, Heinrich, I can vouch for that." As Heinrich tells the story, he asks rhetorically, "What could I do?"
So, with nothing more than a few memories of a diaper-clad baby, and this letter of recommendation from his old friend, Heinrich accepted the challenge. He collected the lad from the immigration authorities and brought him into his home. Heinrich was nervous and uncertain. But others had helped him; he would return the favor.
The story has a happy ending. After a period of adjustment, the young boy settled into life in his new country, and after graduating high school, bought some land and became a strong member of the church and the community. One wonders, what might have happened if Heinrich had said no?
