Yesterday (we weren't able to connect to the internet last night) was our second full day in Toronto. Our day started out the same as all the other days of the week; with a simple but filling breakfast, and then a quick devotion to send us off to our anchor-sites. In the "Joanne-a-Van" (the group consisting of Joanne, Hayley, Rebecca, Martha, Jack, Paul, Josh, and our very kind host Steve) we all agreed that we felt more comfortable talking to the less fortunate just after one day. After three hours of rigorous but fun work, we had a nice lunch at the drop-in shelter of chicken nuggets, salad, and a pasta dish.
Our second activity of the day began with the "Joanne-a-Van" group making 120 bagged lunches. Each bagged lunch contained a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a snack, a juice box, and an apple. Paul and Josh had a great time doing impressions as they constructed the bagged lunches with Jack as the girls were franticly slapping together peanut butter and jelly sandwiches within the kitchen. Sadly, Paul and Josh's impressions continue to be used throughout the day.
As the day progressed the group crawled into the "Joanne-a-Van" and began our tour around Toronto's city streets. Steve kindly showed us all the most interesting and vibrant of places, pulling us from our compact car and teaching us about the area. Ranging from old to new, gay to prostitutes we saw the streets that colored the world around us. The opportunity to see upfront just what kind of people that share out world was a gift and we all greatly appreciated the experiance. Tall skycrapers loom high over the hundred or older little churches that stood firm below. It was interesting to learn about the different cemetaries made for fire fighters, police, and even those who were without homes. The overal experiance was memorable and fantastic, one that we will all remember.
With the sun slowly dipping below the sky line we gathered up the rest of the team, split into groups, and headed out to pass out our lunches. Gathered around our guide we were told the proper ways to act around those crowded on the streets without a place to stay. Finally filled with a sensible amount of knowledge we were all let out to help those in need. The walk was long but fun and we learned things that acted like healthy fruit over a greasing hamburger; it was filling. Three plastic bags dangled from each individual persons hands and soon most of these white lunches were gone. Finally resting at Tim Horton's doughnut shop and filling ourselves with tasty pastries we settled down to wait for our rides back to the church. The day was long and hard, everyone slept like rocks. Everyday has been similar to this and we look forward to the next day and for the new experiances we are given.
-Hayley and Josh
Sounds like you are learning to see with other eyes and loving God by serving his people. God Bless and keep you always.
ReplyDeleteMelody