Pakistani couple happy to now call Fenelon Falls home

After much political unrest in Pakistan, made more delicate by their Christian faith in a dominantly Muslim nation, Yousif Masih and Jacqueline Bhatti first tried settling in Brampton when they arrived in Canada.

But settling in the GTA city was not without its challenges.

“It took us some time to understand the Canadian culture and system. I worked as a security guard, a PSW, a physiotherapy assistant and served in a few local churches, but at first, we didn’t even know that something like a food bank existed,” explained Masih.

His wife of 37 years is quick to add that coming to Canada was very rewarding and the best part has been the freedom. She means freedom from harassment, but also the freedom to open up a wallet and pay a cashier without taking precautions to ensure that no one could steal it. And, the freedom her children felt in walking to and from school without harassment.

After many years in Brampton, the couple – both pastors – and two daughters moved to Fenelon Falls in 2023 to take over the reins at Immanuel Baptist Church. “To be honest, we didn’t know of Fenelon Falls until I heard the church was looking for a minister. We have met some of the most humble and most kind people in this beautiful little town,” Bhatti said.

While local community outreach is a priority for the church, Bhatti also manages a fundraising initiative aimed at helping oppressed minorities in Pakistan.

Just under two per cent of Pakistani people identify as Christians, so it was not unusual to be exposed to daily persecution of some type, according to the couple.

Bhatti’s initiative – “Women Arising for Destiny” – aims to create skill centres where women who would never get the opportunity otherwise are given skill training in fields ranging from computer literacy to sewing.

Support for this foundation is growing locally and is another reason the couple sees a future here.

“We have moved to many places from the Middle East to Pakistan and then to Canada…but we have come to love Fenelon Falls and hope to call this little town our home.”