We’ve made it! One year, and we are still going strong. If you had asked us a year ago where we would be at this point, or even if we would exist any more, only in our wildest dreams would we have guessed to have made it this far. Working on W.H.Y has been such a fantastic experience for us, and we want to say a huge thank you to everyone has helped us reach this point- from our readers, our guest writers, and those around us who helped us to get started- we owe you so much.
WHY is about inspiring and questioning. It’s about confusion and straightening everything out again. It’s for youth, by youth, about what’s important to us, and about what isn’t. It’s about life, and where God fits in.
In this issue we have some fantastic articles from superb guest writers– Jamie Wood wrote about his struggles in faith, Jake Autio sent us his personal mission statement, and Jessica Baird shared her birthday story. Hopefully you enjoy these articles, and the others inside! Happy Birthday to us!
-Charley and Kathleen
Monday, October 8, 2007
My Testimony
When I was in public school I wasn’t exactly the same as I am now. was more of a shy child; I kept to myself, was quiet and somewhat of a loner. I had some friends, yes, but not really any close ones. I never really felt I had anyone. I always felt alone. Often, I was teased about my weight, about how I dressed, about what type of music I listened to. I was called stupid. I was called a freak. I was picked on, laughed at, and ignored. I rode the bus to school each morning dreading reaching the classroom because I knew that I would never be able to lift my head. I would never be able to face those who tormented me.
I began to fall into a serious depression. I fell deeper and deeper into a sad, dark place that I didn’t think I would ever return from. I began to doubt the truth of God. I began to question how there could ever be a higher divine power if I was feeling such pain. How could he let me go through this? Why won’t he stop these people saying these mean things? God, are you there? Can you hear me? Why won’t they stop? Why do they call me a fat ass? Why do they hurt me at lunch time? I don’t understand. I don’t know why they won’t stop. And I started to turn away from my faith. I thought that it all must be a lie. God? What God? If there was a God, why am I like this? Why are they treating me like this? There is NO God!
When this happened, my life took a turn for the worse. I didn’t feel any better without my beliefs. I felt worse. I felt scared. I felt anguish. It never went away and I would cry myself to sleep, night after night. I then feared going to school. It was so horrible for me that I would pretend to be sick so that my mom would allow me to stay home. Then when I reached grade seven my depression came to a point. I began doing rebellious things that would grasp people’s attention so I could feel like someone loved me. I would steal things from my parents so that they would notice me. I would act out in class and purposely fail tests so that the teacher would have to talk to me. I even challenged a popular boy to a fight because he wouldn’t leave me alone. I tried anything just so that I could feel some purpose to the meaningless life I thought I was living. It was pointless and senseless and I could not find any light. I was in a world of darkness.
In this world of darkness I found a knife; a jagged-edged, steak knife that I grabbed from a kitchen drawer at 12 a.m. I walked down my hallway to the very last room, my room, and opened the door. I laid in my bed and cried. I laid there and watched the knife under the red light of my alarm clock. Moments later I took this steak knife and I began to cut myself. I took the very tip and dug into my skin. The cut was only a few centimetres long but it hurt. I lifted the knife and lost control, crying fiercely. How had I reached this point? Where did my life go wrong? Why did this happen to me? I laid there with these and many other questions racing through my mind. And as I cried I fell asleep with the knife in my hand.
Throughout the next two years of my life, I went on being a shadow. I never again attempted to hurt myself but I didn’t feel the same. I felt sorrow that today I can not imagine feeling ever again. I went on mindlessly, going from day to day.
And then I reached grade nine. In February of 2003, my minister Eric Skillings suggested that I attend London Conference Youth Forum. I, still having major doubts in my faith, didn’t want anything to do with this “lame-o” faith event. My mom pressured me that I should attend, so I made it seem that I was greatly anticipating this event. Driving to Pearce Williams (a UCC camp) for the first time I sat impatiently, wishing the whole weekend was just over already. I didn’t want to be here. I wanted to go back home and just sleep.
I stepped outside and went to the opening games. We were playing ‘Odd Man Out.’ One of the very first people I met was Becky Carlyle; a girl full of faith, hope and generally fantastic optimism. I was wondering why she was so happy? I just wanted to hop back in the van and here she was, all bubbly and crazy. But she had an affect on me. I realized there must be something to this event that could be worthwhile if this crazy girl was bouncing off the walls about it. I continued through the evening and kept an open mind.
That night I met Pat Morrison and Alex Connon for the first time. Pat was my home group leader and Alex my planner. These two in combination placed me in awe. That night I let God back into my life. We discussed how we were feeling about the weekend, how we were connecting, and several other topics. They opened my heart. The immediate welcome and openness I felt was overwhelming. I felt so touched and so loved that I rushed at the chance to have God a part of my life again. I felt a hole slowly fill in that home group meeting and I am never going to forget that night.
Throughout the remainder of the weekend I met others who were also catalysts within my faith. People like Geoffrey Brooks, Zan Gonyou, Tori Laird and Marilyn Arthur. These people brought me through that weekend and changed my life. They had helped me out of that dark place. Reaching out their hands, together they pulled me up. Up into a place that I will NEVER ever leave! Youth Forum and its’ people saved my life. After that first year I became a completely new person. I evolved into someone completely different. I became the new-and-improved Jamie Wood. The loving, crazy, spontaneous, completely random, funny, compassionate young man I am before you now.
I just want to thank every single person I have met at the five youth forums I have attended since that original miracle (including General Council Youth Forum). You have all made such a major impact in my life, more than you could ever know. You are the people I love, you are the people I cherish, you are the people that I live for! You are the reason I am alive. You are all so special in your own way and I love you, thank you for being who you are and for being a large part of my life. I shall never forget youth forum, the memories that were made there, and the outstanding people I have connected with over these four blessed years. Thank you God for Youth Forum!
-Jamie Wood
I began to fall into a serious depression. I fell deeper and deeper into a sad, dark place that I didn’t think I would ever return from. I began to doubt the truth of God. I began to question how there could ever be a higher divine power if I was feeling such pain. How could he let me go through this? Why won’t he stop these people saying these mean things? God, are you there? Can you hear me? Why won’t they stop? Why do they call me a fat ass? Why do they hurt me at lunch time? I don’t understand. I don’t know why they won’t stop. And I started to turn away from my faith. I thought that it all must be a lie. God? What God? If there was a God, why am I like this? Why are they treating me like this? There is NO God!
When this happened, my life took a turn for the worse. I didn’t feel any better without my beliefs. I felt worse. I felt scared. I felt anguish. It never went away and I would cry myself to sleep, night after night. I then feared going to school. It was so horrible for me that I would pretend to be sick so that my mom would allow me to stay home. Then when I reached grade seven my depression came to a point. I began doing rebellious things that would grasp people’s attention so I could feel like someone loved me. I would steal things from my parents so that they would notice me. I would act out in class and purposely fail tests so that the teacher would have to talk to me. I even challenged a popular boy to a fight because he wouldn’t leave me alone. I tried anything just so that I could feel some purpose to the meaningless life I thought I was living. It was pointless and senseless and I could not find any light. I was in a world of darkness.
In this world of darkness I found a knife; a jagged-edged, steak knife that I grabbed from a kitchen drawer at 12 a.m. I walked down my hallway to the very last room, my room, and opened the door. I laid in my bed and cried. I laid there and watched the knife under the red light of my alarm clock. Moments later I took this steak knife and I began to cut myself. I took the very tip and dug into my skin. The cut was only a few centimetres long but it hurt. I lifted the knife and lost control, crying fiercely. How had I reached this point? Where did my life go wrong? Why did this happen to me? I laid there with these and many other questions racing through my mind. And as I cried I fell asleep with the knife in my hand.
Throughout the next two years of my life, I went on being a shadow. I never again attempted to hurt myself but I didn’t feel the same. I felt sorrow that today I can not imagine feeling ever again. I went on mindlessly, going from day to day.
And then I reached grade nine. In February of 2003, my minister Eric Skillings suggested that I attend London Conference Youth Forum. I, still having major doubts in my faith, didn’t want anything to do with this “lame-o” faith event. My mom pressured me that I should attend, so I made it seem that I was greatly anticipating this event. Driving to Pearce Williams (a UCC camp) for the first time I sat impatiently, wishing the whole weekend was just over already. I didn’t want to be here. I wanted to go back home and just sleep.
I stepped outside and went to the opening games. We were playing ‘Odd Man Out.’ One of the very first people I met was Becky Carlyle; a girl full of faith, hope and generally fantastic optimism. I was wondering why she was so happy? I just wanted to hop back in the van and here she was, all bubbly and crazy. But she had an affect on me. I realized there must be something to this event that could be worthwhile if this crazy girl was bouncing off the walls about it. I continued through the evening and kept an open mind.
That night I met Pat Morrison and Alex Connon for the first time. Pat was my home group leader and Alex my planner. These two in combination placed me in awe. That night I let God back into my life. We discussed how we were feeling about the weekend, how we were connecting, and several other topics. They opened my heart. The immediate welcome and openness I felt was overwhelming. I felt so touched and so loved that I rushed at the chance to have God a part of my life again. I felt a hole slowly fill in that home group meeting and I am never going to forget that night.
Throughout the remainder of the weekend I met others who were also catalysts within my faith. People like Geoffrey Brooks, Zan Gonyou, Tori Laird and Marilyn Arthur. These people brought me through that weekend and changed my life. They had helped me out of that dark place. Reaching out their hands, together they pulled me up. Up into a place that I will NEVER ever leave! Youth Forum and its’ people saved my life. After that first year I became a completely new person. I evolved into someone completely different. I became the new-and-improved Jamie Wood. The loving, crazy, spontaneous, completely random, funny, compassionate young man I am before you now.
I just want to thank every single person I have met at the five youth forums I have attended since that original miracle (including General Council Youth Forum). You have all made such a major impact in my life, more than you could ever know. You are the people I love, you are the people I cherish, you are the people that I live for! You are the reason I am alive. You are all so special in your own way and I love you, thank you for being who you are and for being a large part of my life. I shall never forget youth forum, the memories that were made there, and the outstanding people I have connected with over these four blessed years. Thank you God for Youth Forum!
-Jamie Wood
Mission Statements
Jake sent us his personal mission statement this summer. If you are in need of direction, or for no reason at all, we would encourage you to write your own. It’s a fun way to discern God’s purpose for us and to discover yourself. Reading Jake’s statement got Kathleen thinking; below is her mission statement.
Jake’s Mission Statement
I will live my life to its fullest in balance and harmony
I will live healthily both mentally and physically
I will teach and inspire students of all stages of life
I will commit my self to life long learning
I will fulfill the purpose God set for me
I will provide the world with music, spreading passion and love
I will love another human being and love my children
I will work hard to reach all my goals
I will take time to relax and enjoy what has been given to me
I will explore the world for its wonders and excitements
I will travel and see the diverse cultures of the world
I will expose myself to challenges
I will try new things
I will cherish my life and love the earth
I will live my life to its fullest in balance and harmony.
-Jake Autio
Kathleen’s Mission Statement
I believe in doubt, and I believe in doubt as a means of faith. Somewhere I’ve heard, that to doubt is to care. By wondering and questioning and just not knowing, somehow it proves we care enough to think it through. That we are not just going along with something to be part of the latest trend, but we actually are putting thoughts into our beliefs and actions. That we care enough to try to find the truths we are searching for.
So I believe in doubt.
I believe in dreams, and in following them. There are always opportunities that can be followed. New dreams can be dreamt when the old ones vanish. What is the point of continuing if you have nothing to look forward to, if you have nothing to follow?
So I believe in dreams.
I believe in choices. I believe that every action is a choice, and that every choice matters. The choices that you make define your life, define who you are. The choices that you make ,more than anything else, show what you truly believe in .
So I believe in choices.
I believe in life. I believe that while bad thing happen, they’re necessary, and make you appreciate the good things. Life is bigger than death, light is easier to find than shadow, not to mention more fun. Life is what we’re all here for, so we might as all live it!
So I believe in life.
I believe in God, who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the word make flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others to by spirit, I trust in God*. God’s the one who knows all my problems, all my pains and joys, all my hearts desires, the one I talk to every day. My doubts, my dreams, my choices, and my life, all lead me back to my belief in God.
So I believe in God.
Jake’s Mission Statement
I will live my life to its fullest in balance and harmony
I will live healthily both mentally and physically
I will teach and inspire students of all stages of life
I will commit my self to life long learning
I will fulfill the purpose God set for me
I will provide the world with music, spreading passion and love
I will love another human being and love my children
I will work hard to reach all my goals
I will take time to relax and enjoy what has been given to me
I will explore the world for its wonders and excitements
I will travel and see the diverse cultures of the world
I will expose myself to challenges
I will try new things
I will cherish my life and love the earth
I will live my life to its fullest in balance and harmony.
-Jake Autio
Kathleen’s Mission Statement
I believe in doubt, and I believe in doubt as a means of faith. Somewhere I’ve heard, that to doubt is to care. By wondering and questioning and just not knowing, somehow it proves we care enough to think it through. That we are not just going along with something to be part of the latest trend, but we actually are putting thoughts into our beliefs and actions. That we care enough to try to find the truths we are searching for.
So I believe in doubt.
I believe in dreams, and in following them. There are always opportunities that can be followed. New dreams can be dreamt when the old ones vanish. What is the point of continuing if you have nothing to look forward to, if you have nothing to follow?
So I believe in dreams.
I believe in choices. I believe that every action is a choice, and that every choice matters. The choices that you make define your life, define who you are. The choices that you make ,more than anything else, show what you truly believe in .
So I believe in choices.
I believe in life. I believe that while bad thing happen, they’re necessary, and make you appreciate the good things. Life is bigger than death, light is easier to find than shadow, not to mention more fun. Life is what we’re all here for, so we might as all live it!
So I believe in life.
I believe in God, who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the word make flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others to by spirit, I trust in God*. God’s the one who knows all my problems, all my pains and joys, all my hearts desires, the one I talk to every day. My doubts, my dreams, my choices, and my life, all lead me back to my belief in God.
So I believe in God.
Experience in Mission
It’s not something we contemplate often, but what comes to mind when you think of mission? Helping others usually pops up- whether they live overseas, in poverty, or lack basic needs. Usually it involves traveling somewhere new. This is true, but I have come to see mission as a broader term; it’s about being present in the lives of others, encompassing everything from volunteering physical labor to sitting and reading to someone old or ill, whether it be afar or in your own community. Mission involves moving outside yourself to share your time and talents, but it also includes giving and receiving love.
I spent 12 days this summer on the GO Project in Toronto. It was an experience of living and serving in a community totally different from my own back home in rural Alberta. Islington, where we stayed, is no stranger to change. Once a small village, it was swallowed up by Toronto. Now it is home to a myriad of different people. To one side of Islington United Church live upper-middle-class people with beautiful houses, beamers, and escalades. Right next door stand a series of apartments where people from all corners of the world call home. This juxtaposition between culture, wealth, history, and class create a unique challenge.
Part of our experience involved running a children’s day camp. This was free for any of the kids in the neighborhood, and for many, a highlight of their summer. They were amazing kids and I know they captured the hearts of all of us on the GO Project. One youngster, Qwabie, was a bundle of three-year-old adorableness. Even when he was causing ‘trouble’ you couldn’t help but love him, his smile and bright eyes. Twice he fell asleep, and he was so cute!! Adla was another young girl whose story stands out in my memories. She arrived in Canada in May. Her English was excellent considering that, but she was quite nervous to talk at first. While there may have been a few things lost in translation, she shared something very special with me. One afternoon we were creating ‘wanted’ posters . I had envisioned the kids drawing evil bad guys, but many of them instead drew things that they truly did want. Jessica wanted her dog back; Bethany wanted her friend from Serbia to return to Canada; Adla wanted to see her friends and a teacher who still live in Bosnia. It almost broke my heart to realize these kids, far younger than myself, have faced such real struggles in their lives already.
Along with the Children’s Program, we also visited three mission sites throughout Toronto. On one such morning, we found ourselves at the Maybelle Food Program, just a couple blocks from Islington United Church. Every Wednesday, a group of volunteers set up the food in a local gym. It arrives from Daily Bread, which is like a massive warehouse for all the food banks in Toronto. It is then arranged on a loop of tables, transforming the gym into more of a community grocery store. Each of the volunteers was paired up with a client to walk through the food. While there were limits set on the food as to how much each person could take, they had some choice- Lucky Charms or Cocoa Puffs? This created an element of community between clients and volunteers alike because everyone was working together; it wasn’t a here’s-your-bag-of-food type atmosphere.
Like the kids at the day program, each of the clients at the food program taught me so much. Many of them were immigrants who knew very little to no English. As I took one older Ukrainian lady through, we ran into some confusion with translation. Yes, she wanted soup but no, she didn’t want beans in sauce, and what on earth is Brisk Green Tea Apple Juice??? As we waited in front of the pasta ‘selection,’ she reached around and gave me a small hug. Love is truly universal. It seemed to say, ‘don’t worry, everything will be alright.’
These stories are only glimpses into the depth of what I experienced on my mission trip in Toronto. I was most certainly challenged, especially when I tried to think of how I would bring home what I had learned and find opportunities for mission in my little, rural community. Oyen, as you may have guessed, holds completely different challenges from Toronto. Which is why I had to think of mission as ‘being present in the lives of others.’ Otherwise, I couldn’t think of one thing my community needed. But mission doesn’t have be working in a soup kitchen, or going to Africa, or on a trip to Mexico (although that is still important). Mission isn’t necessarily ‘doing,’ but ‘being.’ It’s about being in the community, in your community; being present in the lives of others.
So stop reading for a moment and think. Where does your community need you? Could you be needed playing with kids, or reading at a senior’s home, or helping your neighbor paint their fence? Encourage others to join you. Mission is about working together, loving, and caring for one another. I had to travel across four provinces to learn this valuable lesson; now I’m being a positive influence in my very own community- and it’s still mission.
-Charley Switzer
I spent 12 days this summer on the GO Project in Toronto. It was an experience of living and serving in a community totally different from my own back home in rural Alberta. Islington, where we stayed, is no stranger to change. Once a small village, it was swallowed up by Toronto. Now it is home to a myriad of different people. To one side of Islington United Church live upper-middle-class people with beautiful houses, beamers, and escalades. Right next door stand a series of apartments where people from all corners of the world call home. This juxtaposition between culture, wealth, history, and class create a unique challenge.
Part of our experience involved running a children’s day camp. This was free for any of the kids in the neighborhood, and for many, a highlight of their summer. They were amazing kids and I know they captured the hearts of all of us on the GO Project. One youngster, Qwabie, was a bundle of three-year-old adorableness. Even when he was causing ‘trouble’ you couldn’t help but love him, his smile and bright eyes. Twice he fell asleep, and he was so cute!! Adla was another young girl whose story stands out in my memories. She arrived in Canada in May. Her English was excellent considering that, but she was quite nervous to talk at first. While there may have been a few things lost in translation, she shared something very special with me. One afternoon we were creating ‘wanted’ posters . I had envisioned the kids drawing evil bad guys, but many of them instead drew things that they truly did want. Jessica wanted her dog back; Bethany wanted her friend from Serbia to return to Canada; Adla wanted to see her friends and a teacher who still live in Bosnia. It almost broke my heart to realize these kids, far younger than myself, have faced such real struggles in their lives already.
Along with the Children’s Program, we also visited three mission sites throughout Toronto. On one such morning, we found ourselves at the Maybelle Food Program, just a couple blocks from Islington United Church. Every Wednesday, a group of volunteers set up the food in a local gym. It arrives from Daily Bread, which is like a massive warehouse for all the food banks in Toronto. It is then arranged on a loop of tables, transforming the gym into more of a community grocery store. Each of the volunteers was paired up with a client to walk through the food. While there were limits set on the food as to how much each person could take, they had some choice- Lucky Charms or Cocoa Puffs? This created an element of community between clients and volunteers alike because everyone was working together; it wasn’t a here’s-your-bag-of-food type atmosphere.
Like the kids at the day program, each of the clients at the food program taught me so much. Many of them were immigrants who knew very little to no English. As I took one older Ukrainian lady through, we ran into some confusion with translation. Yes, she wanted soup but no, she didn’t want beans in sauce, and what on earth is Brisk Green Tea Apple Juice??? As we waited in front of the pasta ‘selection,’ she reached around and gave me a small hug. Love is truly universal. It seemed to say, ‘don’t worry, everything will be alright.’
These stories are only glimpses into the depth of what I experienced on my mission trip in Toronto. I was most certainly challenged, especially when I tried to think of how I would bring home what I had learned and find opportunities for mission in my little, rural community. Oyen, as you may have guessed, holds completely different challenges from Toronto. Which is why I had to think of mission as ‘being present in the lives of others.’ Otherwise, I couldn’t think of one thing my community needed. But mission doesn’t have be working in a soup kitchen, or going to Africa, or on a trip to Mexico (although that is still important). Mission isn’t necessarily ‘doing,’ but ‘being.’ It’s about being in the community, in your community; being present in the lives of others.
So stop reading for a moment and think. Where does your community need you? Could you be needed playing with kids, or reading at a senior’s home, or helping your neighbor paint their fence? Encourage others to join you. Mission is about working together, loving, and caring for one another. I had to travel across four provinces to learn this valuable lesson; now I’m being a positive influence in my very own community- and it’s still mission.
-Charley Switzer
Experience in Mission
It’s not something we contemplate often, but what comes to mind when you think of mission? Helping others usually pops up- whether they live overseas, in poverty, or lack basic needs. Usually it involves traveling somewhere new. This is true, but I have come to see mission as a broader term; it’s about being present in the lives of others, encompassing everything from volunteering physical labor to sitting and reading to someone old or ill, whether it be afar or in your own community. Mission involves moving outside yourself to share your time and talents, but it also includes giving and receiving love.
I spent 12 days this summer on the GO Project in Toronto. It was an experience of living and serving in a community totally different from my own back home in rural Alberta. Islington, where we stayed, is no stranger to change. Once a small village, it was swallowed up by Toronto. Now it is home to a myriad of different people. To one side of Islington United Church live upper-middle-class people with beautiful houses, beamers, and escalades. Right next door stand a series of apartments where people from all corners of the world call home. This juxtaposition between culture, wealth, history, and class create a unique challenge.
Part of our experience involved running a children’s day camp. This was free for any of the kids in the neighborhood, and for many, a highlight of their summer. They were amazing kids and I know they captured the hearts of all of us on the GO Project. One youngster, Qwabie, was a bundle of three-year-old adorableness. Even when he was causing ‘trouble’ you couldn’t help but love him, his smile and bright eyes. Twice he fell asleep, and he was so cute!! Adla was another young girl whose story stands out in my memories. She arrived in Canada in May. Her English was excellent considering that, but she was quite nervous to talk at first. While there may have been a few things lost in translation, she shared something very special with me. One afternoon we were creating ‘wanted’ posters . I had envisioned the kids drawing evil bad guys, but many of them instead drew things that they truly did want. Jessica wanted her dog back; Bethany wanted her friend from Serbia to return to Canada; Adla wanted to see her friends and a teacher who still live in Bosnia. It almost broke my heart to realize these kids, far younger than myself, have faced such real struggles in their lives already.
Along with the Children’s Program, we also visited three mission sites throughout Toronto. On one such morning, we found ourselves at the Maybelle Food Program, just a couple blocks from Islington United Church. Every Wednesday, a group of volunteers set up the food in a local gym. It arrives from Daily Bread, which is like a massive warehouse for all the food banks in Toronto. It is then arranged on a loop of tables, transforming the gym into more of a community grocery store. Each of the volunteers was paired up with a client to walk through the food. While there were limits set on the food as to how much each person could take, they had some choice- Lucky Charms or Cocoa Puffs? This created an element of community between clients and volunteers alike because everyone was working together; it wasn’t a here’s-your-bag-of-food type atmosphere.
Like the kids at the day program, each of the clients at the food program taught me so much. Many of them were immigrants who knew very little to no English. As I took one older Ukrainian lady through, we ran into some confusion with translation. Yes, she wanted soup but no, she didn’t want beans in sauce, and what on earth is Brisk Green Tea Apple Juice??? As we waited in front of the pasta ‘selection,’ she reached around and gave me a small hug. Love is truly universal. It seemed to say, ‘don’t worry, everything will be alright.’
These stories are only glimpses into the depth of what I experienced on my mission trip in Toronto. I was most certainly challenged, especially when I tried to think of how I would bring home what I had learned and find opportunities for mission in my little, rural community. Oyen, as you may have guessed, holds completely different challenges from Toronto. Which is why I had to think of mission as ‘being present in the lives of others.’ Otherwise, I couldn’t think of one thing my community needed. But mission doesn’t have be working in a soup kitchen, or going to Africa, or on a trip to Mexico (although that is still important). Mission isn’t necessarily ‘doing,’ but ‘being.’ It’s about being in the community, in your community; being present in the lives of others.
So stop reading for a moment and think. Where does your community need you? Could you be needed playing with kids, or reading at a senior’s home, or helping your neighbor paint their fence? Encourage others to join you. Mission is about working together, loving, and caring for one another. I had to travel across four provinces to learn this valuable lesson; now I’m being a positive influence in my very own community- and it’s still mission.
-Charley Switzer
I spent 12 days this summer on the GO Project in Toronto. It was an experience of living and serving in a community totally different from my own back home in rural Alberta. Islington, where we stayed, is no stranger to change. Once a small village, it was swallowed up by Toronto. Now it is home to a myriad of different people. To one side of Islington United Church live upper-middle-class people with beautiful houses, beamers, and escalades. Right next door stand a series of apartments where people from all corners of the world call home. This juxtaposition between culture, wealth, history, and class create a unique challenge.
Part of our experience involved running a children’s day camp. This was free for any of the kids in the neighborhood, and for many, a highlight of their summer. They were amazing kids and I know they captured the hearts of all of us on the GO Project. One youngster, Qwabie, was a bundle of three-year-old adorableness. Even when he was causing ‘trouble’ you couldn’t help but love him, his smile and bright eyes. Twice he fell asleep, and he was so cute!! Adla was another young girl whose story stands out in my memories. She arrived in Canada in May. Her English was excellent considering that, but she was quite nervous to talk at first. While there may have been a few things lost in translation, she shared something very special with me. One afternoon we were creating ‘wanted’ posters . I had envisioned the kids drawing evil bad guys, but many of them instead drew things that they truly did want. Jessica wanted her dog back; Bethany wanted her friend from Serbia to return to Canada; Adla wanted to see her friends and a teacher who still live in Bosnia. It almost broke my heart to realize these kids, far younger than myself, have faced such real struggles in their lives already.
Along with the Children’s Program, we also visited three mission sites throughout Toronto. On one such morning, we found ourselves at the Maybelle Food Program, just a couple blocks from Islington United Church. Every Wednesday, a group of volunteers set up the food in a local gym. It arrives from Daily Bread, which is like a massive warehouse for all the food banks in Toronto. It is then arranged on a loop of tables, transforming the gym into more of a community grocery store. Each of the volunteers was paired up with a client to walk through the food. While there were limits set on the food as to how much each person could take, they had some choice- Lucky Charms or Cocoa Puffs? This created an element of community between clients and volunteers alike because everyone was working together; it wasn’t a here’s-your-bag-of-food type atmosphere.
Like the kids at the day program, each of the clients at the food program taught me so much. Many of them were immigrants who knew very little to no English. As I took one older Ukrainian lady through, we ran into some confusion with translation. Yes, she wanted soup but no, she didn’t want beans in sauce, and what on earth is Brisk Green Tea Apple Juice??? As we waited in front of the pasta ‘selection,’ she reached around and gave me a small hug. Love is truly universal. It seemed to say, ‘don’t worry, everything will be alright.’
These stories are only glimpses into the depth of what I experienced on my mission trip in Toronto. I was most certainly challenged, especially when I tried to think of how I would bring home what I had learned and find opportunities for mission in my little, rural community. Oyen, as you may have guessed, holds completely different challenges from Toronto. Which is why I had to think of mission as ‘being present in the lives of others.’ Otherwise, I couldn’t think of one thing my community needed. But mission doesn’t have be working in a soup kitchen, or going to Africa, or on a trip to Mexico (although that is still important). Mission isn’t necessarily ‘doing,’ but ‘being.’ It’s about being in the community, in your community; being present in the lives of others.
So stop reading for a moment and think. Where does your community need you? Could you be needed playing with kids, or reading at a senior’s home, or helping your neighbor paint their fence? Encourage others to join you. Mission is about working together, loving, and caring for one another. I had to travel across four provinces to learn this valuable lesson; now I’m being a positive influence in my very own community- and it’s still mission.
-Charley Switzer
My New Eyes
I recently got a “free spiritual reading.” You may have seen these at a fair, or a trade show, or some other major event. I had never been sure what exactly a spiritual reading was, but I assumed it was a bit like having your fortune told. Someone would look into my eyes, perhaps look at my hands, ask me some basic questions, and then tell me that in the future I will find a tall, dark, handsome man, I’ll go on vacation in Venice, and that much happiness is in store for me. Then every time I’d meet a tall, dark handsome man, I’d assume he was my soul mate, I’d dream of Venice every night, and the power of positive thinking would bring the happiness she was talking about.
Yeah… that is not at all what a spiritual reading is.
My friend and I sat down at a little table, so short our knees kept hitting it, and a kindly older lady sat across from us, much like the ones you might see at church (who every week pinch your cheeks and tell you how much you’ve grown). She began by asking if we had accepted Jesus as our personal saviour. Not quite what we expected but OK... After a bit of a spiel about how Jesus died for us, followed by a hugely awkward repeat after my prayer thanking Jesus, she began. However, rather than explaining to us how our futures looked, she instead told us about the state of our relationship with God. She told my friend that God “just wants to be friends” with her, and clarified to me that God feels like I’m drifting away from him.
After she told us this, we were getting ready to leave. Anxious to get away, we started into a conversation about how I had lost my glasses just previously that day. She asked if we would like to pray about it. Being that I am ridiculously blind without my glasses, by this point anything that may have helped me to find them was welcome. So, expecting a quick prayer asking God to help me find my glasses, or something along those lines, I closed my eyes. “Heavenly Father,” she said, “Please give Kathleen new eyes.” That’s right, new eyes. Not help her find her glasses, not help her get new glasses, not even help her eyes get better, but rather, give her brand-spanking-new eyes. She goes on, mentioning how yes, God can do that because hey, he is God.
I’m not going to lie. At first I thought that she was totally nuts. New eyes? Really, let’s make Kathleen the first person ever to randomly receive new eyes. Can you imagine the practicalities behind getting new eyes- what would happen to my old ones? What colour would they be? Would these new eyes actually be able to see any better, or would my eyesight be even worse? Not to mention the idea that rather than solving world hunger or stopping wars, or fighting criminals, God’s going to spend time in giving me eyes. Right.
However, after the original hilarity of the situation passed, after I had found my way home, and was reflecting back on the day, I realized something. This woman had actually believed that God could give me new eyes. Her faith was so strong that she believed God would reach out and give me those new eyes. She wasn’t caught up in the practicalities, but truly believed that God would just deal with my problem, and that if he so wanted, he could give me those new eyes. Her faith was unwavering, and she really believed that this could happen. Though I’m sure she has come across people who were perhaps less discrete than us in the differences of belief, she was ready to just out and say it- that she believed God could give me knew eyes, and still solve world hunger.
So maybe God did give me new eyes that day. I mean, I still can’t read a sign that is more than a foot in front of my face without my glasses on, but maybe he changed the way I see people. Because whereas previously I would have passed this well meaning, perfectly nice lady off as nuts, off-her-rocker, and maybe just a little bit crazy, now I don’t. I see her as a person who has such a strong faith that she truly believes God can and will do anything, if we just ask. While I still don’t necessarily believe the same things about God as she does, and while I’m sure she meant to give me new eyes in a more physical sense, my sight did change. I’ve become more open to different beliefs, and the strength that people have to proclaim them all in front of others. It has perhaps made me a bit more willing to share my views, despite them being different than the person’s who I’m sharing them with. My new figurative eyes see the world in a different way.
Mind you, I wouldn’t say ‘no’ to new eyes with 20/20 vision, in a nice shade of green.
-Kathleen Kerr
Yeah… that is not at all what a spiritual reading is.
My friend and I sat down at a little table, so short our knees kept hitting it, and a kindly older lady sat across from us, much like the ones you might see at church (who every week pinch your cheeks and tell you how much you’ve grown). She began by asking if we had accepted Jesus as our personal saviour. Not quite what we expected but OK... After a bit of a spiel about how Jesus died for us, followed by a hugely awkward repeat after my prayer thanking Jesus, she began. However, rather than explaining to us how our futures looked, she instead told us about the state of our relationship with God. She told my friend that God “just wants to be friends” with her, and clarified to me that God feels like I’m drifting away from him.
After she told us this, we were getting ready to leave. Anxious to get away, we started into a conversation about how I had lost my glasses just previously that day. She asked if we would like to pray about it. Being that I am ridiculously blind without my glasses, by this point anything that may have helped me to find them was welcome. So, expecting a quick prayer asking God to help me find my glasses, or something along those lines, I closed my eyes. “Heavenly Father,” she said, “Please give Kathleen new eyes.” That’s right, new eyes. Not help her find her glasses, not help her get new glasses, not even help her eyes get better, but rather, give her brand-spanking-new eyes. She goes on, mentioning how yes, God can do that because hey, he is God.
I’m not going to lie. At first I thought that she was totally nuts. New eyes? Really, let’s make Kathleen the first person ever to randomly receive new eyes. Can you imagine the practicalities behind getting new eyes- what would happen to my old ones? What colour would they be? Would these new eyes actually be able to see any better, or would my eyesight be even worse? Not to mention the idea that rather than solving world hunger or stopping wars, or fighting criminals, God’s going to spend time in giving me eyes. Right.
However, after the original hilarity of the situation passed, after I had found my way home, and was reflecting back on the day, I realized something. This woman had actually believed that God could give me new eyes. Her faith was so strong that she believed God would reach out and give me those new eyes. She wasn’t caught up in the practicalities, but truly believed that God would just deal with my problem, and that if he so wanted, he could give me those new eyes. Her faith was unwavering, and she really believed that this could happen. Though I’m sure she has come across people who were perhaps less discrete than us in the differences of belief, she was ready to just out and say it- that she believed God could give me knew eyes, and still solve world hunger.
So maybe God did give me new eyes that day. I mean, I still can’t read a sign that is more than a foot in front of my face without my glasses on, but maybe he changed the way I see people. Because whereas previously I would have passed this well meaning, perfectly nice lady off as nuts, off-her-rocker, and maybe just a little bit crazy, now I don’t. I see her as a person who has such a strong faith that she truly believes God can and will do anything, if we just ask. While I still don’t necessarily believe the same things about God as she does, and while I’m sure she meant to give me new eyes in a more physical sense, my sight did change. I’ve become more open to different beliefs, and the strength that people have to proclaim them all in front of others. It has perhaps made me a bit more willing to share my views, despite them being different than the person’s who I’m sharing them with. My new figurative eyes see the world in a different way.
Mind you, I wouldn’t say ‘no’ to new eyes with 20/20 vision, in a nice shade of green.
-Kathleen Kerr
Trust
Birthdays are something special, especially in the Christian faith. When we celebrate Jesus’ birth, through stories and traditions, we also explore and challenge our faith.
Recently, I celebrated my 19th birthday. In the weeks leading up to it, I took the time to prepare something that would be enjoyable for my friends and me. Preparation is important- it makes the moment more special when it arrives. Noah prepared for the great flood by building the ark. Mary and Joseph prepared as best they could for the coming of their son Jesus Christ, in the stable. I took the time to create what should have been a wonderful party.
However on the night of my birthday, one of my friend’s wallets was stolen. It was frightening and left me feeling very upset and broken inside. A huge part of my faith is, as God tells us, “thou shall not steal.” My values had been betrayed and I felt I could never trust anyone or have them trust me.
The bible speaks about how Jesus’ friend Judas betrayed him before Jesus was crucified. At Jesus’ last supper, Judas left, as did some of the girls at my party. Both of these events were suppose to be something special and memorable. Even though Jesus’ experience of betrayal was huge compared to mine, I felt like I could relate to it. I too was left behind, betrayed, and shattered by people who I thought were my friends. Jesus experienced much of the same feelings; however, he forgave and still forgives others for what they do. I know I do too, but it’s really hard to rebuild trust with someone who steals and betrays.
Of course I won’t forget my party, but when I think about my birthday, it hurts inside. Betrayal leaves damage behind that takes time to heal. Time to figure out how to “Forgive and forget” (as sung in the Dixie Chicks song, “I’m Not Ready to Make Nice).
My special night did still have some sparkling moments of fun, excitement, and love. Perhaps what I needed to begin healing came in the form of the gifts. One present I received reminded me of the birth of our holy one- a yellow shawl that sparkled with silver. Wearing the shawl, I felt comforted by its peace and warmth. Just like wrapping babies at birth has them feeling welcomed into a life of love, my shawl comforts me.
Following my birthday ordeal with the stolen wallet, there was little I could do but put my worries and pain into the hands of God. I had to trust God. Even as a young woman with a strong faith in God, I was scared to trust the Lord. It was a test of my faith. Perhaps, though, with all of our deepest struggles, all we can do is trust God.
- Jessica Baird
(I would like to give great thanks for my wonderful friends…especially Mandy. God loves you, as do I)
Recently, I celebrated my 19th birthday. In the weeks leading up to it, I took the time to prepare something that would be enjoyable for my friends and me. Preparation is important- it makes the moment more special when it arrives. Noah prepared for the great flood by building the ark. Mary and Joseph prepared as best they could for the coming of their son Jesus Christ, in the stable. I took the time to create what should have been a wonderful party.
However on the night of my birthday, one of my friend’s wallets was stolen. It was frightening and left me feeling very upset and broken inside. A huge part of my faith is, as God tells us, “thou shall not steal.” My values had been betrayed and I felt I could never trust anyone or have them trust me.
The bible speaks about how Jesus’ friend Judas betrayed him before Jesus was crucified. At Jesus’ last supper, Judas left, as did some of the girls at my party. Both of these events were suppose to be something special and memorable. Even though Jesus’ experience of betrayal was huge compared to mine, I felt like I could relate to it. I too was left behind, betrayed, and shattered by people who I thought were my friends. Jesus experienced much of the same feelings; however, he forgave and still forgives others for what they do. I know I do too, but it’s really hard to rebuild trust with someone who steals and betrays.
Of course I won’t forget my party, but when I think about my birthday, it hurts inside. Betrayal leaves damage behind that takes time to heal. Time to figure out how to “Forgive and forget” (as sung in the Dixie Chicks song, “I’m Not Ready to Make Nice).
My special night did still have some sparkling moments of fun, excitement, and love. Perhaps what I needed to begin healing came in the form of the gifts. One present I received reminded me of the birth of our holy one- a yellow shawl that sparkled with silver. Wearing the shawl, I felt comforted by its peace and warmth. Just like wrapping babies at birth has them feeling welcomed into a life of love, my shawl comforts me.
Following my birthday ordeal with the stolen wallet, there was little I could do but put my worries and pain into the hands of God. I had to trust God. Even as a young woman with a strong faith in God, I was scared to trust the Lord. It was a test of my faith. Perhaps, though, with all of our deepest struggles, all we can do is trust God.
- Jessica Baird
(I would like to give great thanks for my wonderful friends…especially Mandy. God loves you, as do I)
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