From us at StreetLight we want to wish you a wonderful Christmas and look forward to seeing you again in the new year!
Allan
Monday, December 12, 2011
Lets Party!
Thanks for all who were involved in making Operation Backpack a success. Everyone had a great time, the food from Tao Events was fantastic. We are so blessed and as so thankful for the opportunity to share those blessings with the community we work with. Check out this video from Global TV taken at Operation Backpack 2011. http://www.globaltvcalgary.com/video/streetlight/video.html?v=2175294455
Friday, December 9, 2011
Operation Backpack 2011
Epic failure, no posts since Spring of 2011. But we are back, and just in time for Operation Backpack 2011. Its happening tonight, down by the river. For those of you who need a refresher its our Christmas party here at StreetLight. Its going to be wild. We are expecting between 400-500 guests and we will attempt to get them each a backpack that our amazing donors have created as well as some BBQ (done by Tao Events). Pictures will be up soon. Stay with us! Have a wonderful lead up to the holiday season! #http://operationbackpackcalgary.blogspot.com/
Friday, March 11, 2011
Anyone for more soup?
Well, here we are, i'm blogging for the second week in a row. I think I'm about to set a record, for myself and for StreetLight. What a week its been. We enjoyed some soup... again :P That being said it was absolutely delicious. Its been a great week overall, as a team I felt we had some real breakthroughs in our conversations with the kids that came by, we touched on everything from the Illuminati (love all the conspiracy theories that run through the trailer) to work issues to the meaning and representation of the cross. These kids are hurt so deeply, physically and emotionally but it hasn't curbed their enthusiasm when it comes to asking the hard questions and bringing up the tough subjects. Its been a wild week to put it lightly. It seems we have worked most of the kinks out of the trailer over the past few weeks since getting it back from secondary repairs after the accident. On the list was a furnace that didn't work, a fridge that didn't cool and a broken bench. The bench and the fridge are on next weeks list, however being the genius I am I felt I might have the perfect fix for the furnace. One precisely placed punch to wall beside the thermostat controls and it purred to life like a finely tuned Cummins. Battle #1 goes to the farm boy.
On a prayer note I had the opportunity to take on of our guys to church with me this week and when we left he was asking good, tough questions, but the most beautiful thing happened. He asked if he could come back again next week. Please pray for him and the SL as the continue to interact with him and love him. My dream would be that God would come in and completely wreck him, opening his eyes to the all consuming love of our Savior!
Until next time,
Talon
On a prayer note I had the opportunity to take on of our guys to church with me this week and when we left he was asking good, tough questions, but the most beautiful thing happened. He asked if he could come back again next week. Please pray for him and the SL as the continue to interact with him and love him. My dream would be that God would come in and completely wreck him, opening his eyes to the all consuming love of our Savior!
Until next time,
Talon
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Fresh Faces.... Same Story
Its been eons since the StreetLight blog has had an update, and since I don't have any experience with Blogs I've been slow getting into the blogging world. StreetLight has been going through some sweeping changes over the past few months and I'll quickly touch on that before moving on. It all starts with some staff additions. StreetLight has recently hired myself, Allan Peters (Ministry Coordinator) and Ivy Friesen (Advocate against Human Trafficking and Prostitution).
As your new resident blogger I will strive to keep you regularly updated, but who are we kidding, it will probably end up being once a month or something.
As most of you know, the StreetLight trailer was involved in an accident just before Christmas. This meant that SL was either closed or running out of the back of a vehicle from January to the middle of February. This brought a few new challenges, including spending some evenings outside, sitting on lawn chairs in the middle of a parking lot and getting a freshly repaired trailer back with more wiring issues then before the accident. The result of this was no heat for 2 weeks. Through all this we still managed to have a great time chilling...... :P But really we are so thankful for 2 new furnaces. We are back up and operating in a remotely warm trailer and having a blast. So thanks to all those that help StreetLight do what we do and take an interest in us.
Adios
p.s. I'll try and post some accident pictures when I get a chance.
As your new resident blogger I will strive to keep you regularly updated, but who are we kidding, it will probably end up being once a month or something.
As most of you know, the StreetLight trailer was involved in an accident just before Christmas. This meant that SL was either closed or running out of the back of a vehicle from January to the middle of February. This brought a few new challenges, including spending some evenings outside, sitting on lawn chairs in the middle of a parking lot and getting a freshly repaired trailer back with more wiring issues then before the accident. The result of this was no heat for 2 weeks. Through all this we still managed to have a great time chilling...... :P But really we are so thankful for 2 new furnaces. We are back up and operating in a remotely warm trailer and having a blast. So thanks to all those that help StreetLight do what we do and take an interest in us.
Adios
p.s. I'll try and post some accident pictures when I get a chance.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Operation BackPack on Global TV
Click this link:
http://www.globaltvcalgary.com/video/index.html?releasePID=wzhz1ZI7222BRwk_kExZ2QIFyz1eEQlH
We were also featured on The National. Very excited to be a voice for our homeless and share the dire needs that they have. Would'nt take much for any of us to be in their shoes.
http://www.globaltvcalgary.com/video/index.html?releasePID=wzhz1ZI7222BRwk_kExZ2QIFyz1eEQlH
We were also featured on The National. Very excited to be a voice for our homeless and share the dire needs that they have. Would'nt take much for any of us to be in their shoes.
Friday, December 11, 2009
What is StreetLight and Operation BackPack Anyways?
StreeLight is a mobile drop-in centre in the form of a fifth-wheel trailer and it reaches out to the homeless youth in the downtown Calgary core.
StreetLight has designed Operation BackPack as a way in which the community can get involved in meeting a survival need. We ask the community to buy backpacks and fill them with items in which homeless youth need in order to survive. At Christmas time, StreetLight goes out and hosts a big open-air party for all the homeless in Calgary and we hand out backpacks, a hot meal, coffee, and most importantly, HOPE for a better day.
StreetLight has designed Operation BackPack as a way in which the community can get involved in meeting a survival need. We ask the community to buy backpacks and fill them with items in which homeless youth need in order to survive. At Christmas time, StreetLight goes out and hosts a big open-air party for all the homeless in Calgary and we hand out backpacks, a hot meal, coffee, and most importantly, HOPE for a better day.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Operation BackPack
Looking for Operation BackPack's information? Check out our new Operation BackPack Blog!
http://operationbackpackcalgary.blogspot.com/
Check out 2008's Operation BackPack video!!!
http://operationbackpackcalgary.blogspot.com/2009/11/operation-backpack-video.html
StreetLight has designed Operation Backpack as a way for you to become involved in creating a memorable Christmas for a street kid, as well as assisting in meeting some of their basic needs.
Included is a list of items to place inside a StreetLight Backpack. Simply use the list included below as your guide.
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO CREATE AND DONATE YOUR BACKPACK:
1. Buy a new, sturdy backpack and fill it with these items:
Pair of warm socks
Warm Gloves
5 Adult transit tickets
Shampoo & Soap
Toothbrush & Toothpaste
An Encouraging Note
Brush or Comb
$5 Fast Food Gift Certificate
Deodorant Stick
Chocolate Bar or Treat
Small First-Aid Kit
Memo Pad & Pen
A Pocket Size Bible
$5 Donation (see explanation below)
$5 Donation to StreetLight will help cover the cost for the StreetLight Christmas Party where each youth will receive the Backpack you created along with a Christmas dinner.
Optional Gifts Could Be: Sewing Kit, Small Blanket, Movie Pass, Grocery Gift Certificate (may also replace the fast food certificate), Prepaid Phone Card. The ideas are endless. (Please no medications, condoms or alcohol-based mouthwash.)
2. Next place transit tickets, encouraging note, gift certificate, a completed OBP Participant Form (provided below) and $5 donation in an envelope and insert into a front pocket of your Backpack Indicate Male or Female by securely fastening a pink or blue ribbon to the outside or yellow for a unisex bag.
3. When your StreetLight Backpack is completed, drop it off at:
Youth for Christ
#15, 1725 - 30th Avenue NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7P6
Office hours (Monday - Friday 8am-4pm), or call:
403.291.3179 or StreetLight's Director at 403.470.9322
for other possible arrangements or drop-off locations.
http://operationbackpackcalgary.blogspot.com/
Check out 2008's Operation BackPack video!!!
http://operationbackpackcalgary.blogspot.com/2009/11/operation-backpack-video.html
StreetLight has designed Operation Backpack as a way for you to become involved in creating a memorable Christmas for a street kid, as well as assisting in meeting some of their basic needs.
Included is a list of items to place inside a StreetLight Backpack. Simply use the list included below as your guide.
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO CREATE AND DONATE YOUR BACKPACK:
1. Buy a new, sturdy backpack and fill it with these items:
Pair of warm socks
Warm Gloves
5 Adult transit tickets
Shampoo & Soap
Toothbrush & Toothpaste
An Encouraging Note
Brush or Comb
$5 Fast Food Gift Certificate
Deodorant Stick
Chocolate Bar or Treat
Small First-Aid Kit
Memo Pad & Pen
A Pocket Size Bible
$5 Donation (see explanation below)
$5 Donation to StreetLight will help cover the cost for the StreetLight Christmas Party where each youth will receive the Backpack you created along with a Christmas dinner.
Optional Gifts Could Be: Sewing Kit, Small Blanket, Movie Pass, Grocery Gift Certificate (may also replace the fast food certificate), Prepaid Phone Card. The ideas are endless. (Please no medications, condoms or alcohol-based mouthwash.)
2. Next place transit tickets, encouraging note, gift certificate, a completed OBP Participant Form (provided below) and $5 donation in an envelope and insert into a front pocket of your Backpack Indicate Male or Female by securely fastening a pink or blue ribbon to the outside or yellow for a unisex bag.
3. When your StreetLight Backpack is completed, drop it off at:
Youth for Christ
#15, 1725 - 30th Avenue NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7P6
Office hours (Monday - Friday 8am-4pm), or call:
403.291.3179 or StreetLight's Director at 403.470.9322
for other possible arrangements or drop-off locations.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Survivor Ethiopia
First off, please let me express how thankful I am that you all prayed for me and supported me through the intensity of my latest trip to Ethiopia. I know that you got a little bit of information in regards to my trip and the threats of bombs, the riots and some of you even got my panicked text messages begging for prayer. Yes, I was freaking out!
Here is what happened.
This was a spontaneous opportunity to visit my last dream destination with my church on an evangelistic crusade. Everything unfolded in a miraculous way within four weeks and I was told that I could even visit the Compassion Canada kid which we sponsor along the way – bonus!
I’m still a British citizen and my passport had recently expired, yet even though the Embassy stated one week before I was to leave that I should not expect it until October 21st (my trip was October 9th), it somehow showed up the following morning (mixed feelings – keep reading)! My Permanent Residence Card also just expired and although it was to take 88 days, it arrived the day before I left (less than a week from when I was able to send in the forms). Despite this sense that I had that something dangerous was going to happen on this trip, I knew I was meant to go. What I should’ve done was pray, I stressed over it instead and traveled with this hidden fear this was not only going to be my last dream destination... but my LAST trip altogether. I’ve never felt scared to travel and I’ve gone all over the world on many trips. But yes, I was weeping pretty hard at the airport as I said my goodbyes – I was really scared I wouldn’t make it back home and I didn’t know why I felt so scared.
First few days were fine in Addis Ababa and yes, the Ethiopian Director of Compassion drove me to meet my sponsor child and his family home. Then, as the seven of us traveled 2 hours to a little village called Woliso, we got a call stating that the Orthodox (yes, the Christian Orthodox), were promising bloodshed and had threatened to bomb us if we pursued this “Jesus Festival” (the word “crusade” wasn’t used there for reason). We continued to venture on. (I secretly worried at the back of the bus and sent what I thought would be my last text message to Kingsley my fiancé.)
Woliso had tried three other times to host a Christian event like this but got shut down each time because the threats got too intense. Our team wanted to make history and even though we were all ready to die, we felt the stress of missing out on more of life. It was a pretty tight knit team and everyone did very well... ok ok... I cried once pretty hard... I wasn’t scared to die, I was scared to miss out on my upcoming marriage and a future I have long prayed and hoped for. The girl in me kicked in and I knew that if a few of you got a text message about me needing prayer – you would indeed gather a team and pray up a storm! That prayer was crucial and the night you got my first message, I was an emotional wreck when I got into my room that night. The thought of not making it home alive and to be surrounded by this spirit of evil intention was a real sense of sadness.
On the day you probably got the intensity of my text messages, was the morning we our team finally began our first day of the festival. As the worship team kicked off and began to draw a crowd of 50,000 people, the Orthodox priest ordered all the local highschools and the technical school to close down, come to the stadium, find us and stone us. He called over the village speakers stating that we were there to cause bloodshed, had killed a priest and were burning down their churches! The next thing our team knew, was that over 10,000 locals were climbing over the stone walls into the stadium and yelling “Destroy! Destroy!”
It didn’t take long until they began to shake the metal stage attempting to tear it down. They began to throw stones at the worship team and invaded Woliso stadium with whips, stick and stones that were bigger than your fist! (It seemed convient that a huge pile of these white square stones were situated just inside the entry way - the entry that was also on the neighboring wall to the Orthodox church! Yes, they were our very close neighbors!). The local military quickly took action and began to fire rubber bullets into the crowds but the attackers still moved in forward and the military was forced to use real ammunition. Nobody was killed thankfully and only 5 people when to the hospital with serious injuries. One man was shot in the face.
Now on our end, our evangelistic team were still at the compound and had just received word that the worship team had started and we were to make our way over to join them. I stepped out of my hotel room first and could hear machine guns go off in the distance. Some team members thought the noises were fireworks... until they could see our hotel staff screaming and crying because their kids were involved in those school groups. The atmosphere changed immediately as you can well imagine.
Next thing I know our group is all in one room on the floor praying like we never prayed before and hoping for the safe return of our partnering evangelist, worship team and interpreters. Eventually, they arrived and joined us... they were pretty shaken up. The worship team fled to another hideaway and were all safe. Nobody had to tell us twice to lay low for a it. We laid low that whole day until finally we decided to take a stand and go walking in the streets and encourage the Christian locals to also take a stand with us. The only thing I took with me was my camera and phone, if I had adult diapers with me... well I may have sported them too!
Greg Hutchinson called me while we were out on the street walking JUST as some demon possessed woman ran up to me and grabbed a strong handful of my hair and ripped it out! She then proceeded to eat it as she stared back at us. I quickly got back onto the bus to finish my savored phone call as I had barely any signals and could nto make a single phone call out on my phone. My heart was pumping pretty good though - I've heard since then that people involved in witchcraft feel led to consume something of their enemy... well... enough said... I was grossed out. Humour went a long way on this trip however, we all needed it and most definately didn't lack in this area. Our associate pastor kept commenting from that point forward how “tasty” my hair looked! We figured the women had a thing for Pantene. (I should do a mock up commercial or Pantene hair products!) I went home right after and babied my bloody bald spot and nursed a throbbing headache.
Later that night we went to the church compound to encourage and pray for the local Christians who were just waiting for the next move. Next thing we know we had people all over the place manifesting demons and others being healed - it was a lot to take in.
As I walked by one woman, she grabbed my arm and asked me to pray for her grandbaby. As I did, the mother immediatly threw the baby up in the air and began to screech out and convulse all over the ground! I was shocked! Before you know it, I slung away my camera (which I had been hiding behind) and was pinning demon possessed people down and began to cast the evil spirits out of them – amazing to experience yet exhausting!
At dusk we watched as federal military tanks drove through the streets and warned families to keep their children at home because they expected bloodshed at the next day’s crusade.
That night I lay in bed, fully clothed with my contact lens` in and shoes by my bed just in case we were invaded... and whenever I got a signal on my phone, would text an update. I will say that for those of you who texted me your encouragement, it made me cry – I truly felt your support and I will never forget that and believe it or not, I slept pretty solid! (It was the first night I wasn't concerned about all the fleas and cochroaches in my bed!)
The next morning we all got up, had our traditional Macchiato and with the federal military as our escort, made our way through the crowds of people. We couldn`t tell who was with us or against us until you would either notice a small gesture of `thumbs up` or notice a stone in hand.
Amazingly enough, we walked right into the stadium with a crowd of over 30,000 people already waiting and it was amazing to sense God`s peace fill us. I was in awe and all of a sudden filled with the faith that I would make it home alive! Federal military lined the entire stadium; they covered the walls, hung in trees, hid in the tall grass and walked through the crowds. I even had a few take a moment to pose for a photo.
In the end, over 11,000 people were saved and we saw miracle after miracle take place – eyes and ears were opened, people who couldn`t stand up were all of a sudden jumping around on stage, mute people were learning to use their tongues and talk – it was no less than amazing and definitely a growth spurt in my faith!!!
So THANK YOU for your prayers. I don’t say that with any amount of insincerity at all – trust me – we all needed each and every prayer because without it, we would not have been able to have the victory that we did! God was truly with us and for those people in Woliso! Once our team landed into Canada, we were all high-fiving eachother, "Whew! We MADE IT HOME ALIVE!" we laughed!
Oh and one other fun tidbit... that Orthodox priest.... he got put away in jail for concealing a gun while he attended the government meetings where our Christian leaders were fighting for their rights to freedom. He is facing a term of 5 years in prison! When our group found out we all looked at eachother, “Prison ministry anyone?” we joked. Hmmmm... not right now. We’re all pretty happy to be home safe and with our loved ones. The emotions all surfaced in me the first morning I woke up in my own bed and felt safe. Man is it good to be home!
So it's amazing at how, as hard as the Orthodox (who really should have joined our efforts), tried to stop what God was doing in Ethiopia, God had bigger plans. Not only did the village of Woliso experience God's goodness, the world got to hear about it as the news broadcast internationally. When our team were leaving the Addis Ababa Airport, fellow passengers recognized us from TV and congratulated us! God is good!
It is indeed a trip I will never forget. Will I do it again? Sure! BUT… AFTER I GET MARRIED!!! Let’s not get silly now!
Here is what happened.
This was a spontaneous opportunity to visit my last dream destination with my church on an evangelistic crusade. Everything unfolded in a miraculous way within four weeks and I was told that I could even visit the Compassion Canada kid which we sponsor along the way – bonus!
I’m still a British citizen and my passport had recently expired, yet even though the Embassy stated one week before I was to leave that I should not expect it until October 21st (my trip was October 9th), it somehow showed up the following morning (mixed feelings – keep reading)! My Permanent Residence Card also just expired and although it was to take 88 days, it arrived the day before I left (less than a week from when I was able to send in the forms). Despite this sense that I had that something dangerous was going to happen on this trip, I knew I was meant to go. What I should’ve done was pray, I stressed over it instead and traveled with this hidden fear this was not only going to be my last dream destination... but my LAST trip altogether. I’ve never felt scared to travel and I’ve gone all over the world on many trips. But yes, I was weeping pretty hard at the airport as I said my goodbyes – I was really scared I wouldn’t make it back home and I didn’t know why I felt so scared.
First few days were fine in Addis Ababa and yes, the Ethiopian Director of Compassion drove me to meet my sponsor child and his family home. Then, as the seven of us traveled 2 hours to a little village called Woliso, we got a call stating that the Orthodox (yes, the Christian Orthodox), were promising bloodshed and had threatened to bomb us if we pursued this “Jesus Festival” (the word “crusade” wasn’t used there for reason). We continued to venture on. (I secretly worried at the back of the bus and sent what I thought would be my last text message to Kingsley my fiancé.)
Woliso had tried three other times to host a Christian event like this but got shut down each time because the threats got too intense. Our team wanted to make history and even though we were all ready to die, we felt the stress of missing out on more of life. It was a pretty tight knit team and everyone did very well... ok ok... I cried once pretty hard... I wasn’t scared to die, I was scared to miss out on my upcoming marriage and a future I have long prayed and hoped for. The girl in me kicked in and I knew that if a few of you got a text message about me needing prayer – you would indeed gather a team and pray up a storm! That prayer was crucial and the night you got my first message, I was an emotional wreck when I got into my room that night. The thought of not making it home alive and to be surrounded by this spirit of evil intention was a real sense of sadness.
On the day you probably got the intensity of my text messages, was the morning we our team finally began our first day of the festival. As the worship team kicked off and began to draw a crowd of 50,000 people, the Orthodox priest ordered all the local highschools and the technical school to close down, come to the stadium, find us and stone us. He called over the village speakers stating that we were there to cause bloodshed, had killed a priest and were burning down their churches! The next thing our team knew, was that over 10,000 locals were climbing over the stone walls into the stadium and yelling “Destroy! Destroy!”
It didn’t take long until they began to shake the metal stage attempting to tear it down. They began to throw stones at the worship team and invaded Woliso stadium with whips, stick and stones that were bigger than your fist! (It seemed convient that a huge pile of these white square stones were situated just inside the entry way - the entry that was also on the neighboring wall to the Orthodox church! Yes, they were our very close neighbors!). The local military quickly took action and began to fire rubber bullets into the crowds but the attackers still moved in forward and the military was forced to use real ammunition. Nobody was killed thankfully and only 5 people when to the hospital with serious injuries. One man was shot in the face.
Now on our end, our evangelistic team were still at the compound and had just received word that the worship team had started and we were to make our way over to join them. I stepped out of my hotel room first and could hear machine guns go off in the distance. Some team members thought the noises were fireworks... until they could see our hotel staff screaming and crying because their kids were involved in those school groups. The atmosphere changed immediately as you can well imagine.
Next thing I know our group is all in one room on the floor praying like we never prayed before and hoping for the safe return of our partnering evangelist, worship team and interpreters. Eventually, they arrived and joined us... they were pretty shaken up. The worship team fled to another hideaway and were all safe. Nobody had to tell us twice to lay low for a it. We laid low that whole day until finally we decided to take a stand and go walking in the streets and encourage the Christian locals to also take a stand with us. The only thing I took with me was my camera and phone, if I had adult diapers with me... well I may have sported them too!
Greg Hutchinson called me while we were out on the street walking JUST as some demon possessed woman ran up to me and grabbed a strong handful of my hair and ripped it out! She then proceeded to eat it as she stared back at us. I quickly got back onto the bus to finish my savored phone call as I had barely any signals and could nto make a single phone call out on my phone. My heart was pumping pretty good though - I've heard since then that people involved in witchcraft feel led to consume something of their enemy... well... enough said... I was grossed out. Humour went a long way on this trip however, we all needed it and most definately didn't lack in this area. Our associate pastor kept commenting from that point forward how “tasty” my hair looked! We figured the women had a thing for Pantene. (I should do a mock up commercial or Pantene hair products!) I went home right after and babied my bloody bald spot and nursed a throbbing headache.
Later that night we went to the church compound to encourage and pray for the local Christians who were just waiting for the next move. Next thing we know we had people all over the place manifesting demons and others being healed - it was a lot to take in.
As I walked by one woman, she grabbed my arm and asked me to pray for her grandbaby. As I did, the mother immediatly threw the baby up in the air and began to screech out and convulse all over the ground! I was shocked! Before you know it, I slung away my camera (which I had been hiding behind) and was pinning demon possessed people down and began to cast the evil spirits out of them – amazing to experience yet exhausting!
At dusk we watched as federal military tanks drove through the streets and warned families to keep their children at home because they expected bloodshed at the next day’s crusade.
That night I lay in bed, fully clothed with my contact lens` in and shoes by my bed just in case we were invaded... and whenever I got a signal on my phone, would text an update. I will say that for those of you who texted me your encouragement, it made me cry – I truly felt your support and I will never forget that and believe it or not, I slept pretty solid! (It was the first night I wasn't concerned about all the fleas and cochroaches in my bed!)
The next morning we all got up, had our traditional Macchiato and with the federal military as our escort, made our way through the crowds of people. We couldn`t tell who was with us or against us until you would either notice a small gesture of `thumbs up` or notice a stone in hand.
Amazingly enough, we walked right into the stadium with a crowd of over 30,000 people already waiting and it was amazing to sense God`s peace fill us. I was in awe and all of a sudden filled with the faith that I would make it home alive! Federal military lined the entire stadium; they covered the walls, hung in trees, hid in the tall grass and walked through the crowds. I even had a few take a moment to pose for a photo.
In the end, over 11,000 people were saved and we saw miracle after miracle take place – eyes and ears were opened, people who couldn`t stand up were all of a sudden jumping around on stage, mute people were learning to use their tongues and talk – it was no less than amazing and definitely a growth spurt in my faith!!!
So THANK YOU for your prayers. I don’t say that with any amount of insincerity at all – trust me – we all needed each and every prayer because without it, we would not have been able to have the victory that we did! God was truly with us and for those people in Woliso! Once our team landed into Canada, we were all high-fiving eachother, "Whew! We MADE IT HOME ALIVE!" we laughed!
Oh and one other fun tidbit... that Orthodox priest.... he got put away in jail for concealing a gun while he attended the government meetings where our Christian leaders were fighting for their rights to freedom. He is facing a term of 5 years in prison! When our group found out we all looked at eachother, “Prison ministry anyone?” we joked. Hmmmm... not right now. We’re all pretty happy to be home safe and with our loved ones. The emotions all surfaced in me the first morning I woke up in my own bed and felt safe. Man is it good to be home!
So it's amazing at how, as hard as the Orthodox (who really should have joined our efforts), tried to stop what God was doing in Ethiopia, God had bigger plans. Not only did the village of Woliso experience God's goodness, the world got to hear about it as the news broadcast internationally. When our team were leaving the Addis Ababa Airport, fellow passengers recognized us from TV and congratulated us! God is good!
It is indeed a trip I will never forget. Will I do it again? Sure! BUT… AFTER I GET MARRIED!!! Let’s not get silly now!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Conviction
Conviction
Main Entry: con•vic•tion
Pronunciation: \kuhn-vik-shuhn\
Function: noun
Date: 15th century
1: Th e act or process of convicting of a
crime especially in a court of law
2 a: Th e act of convincing a person of error
or of compelling the admission of a truth
b: the state of being convinced of error or
compelled to admit the truth
3 a: A strong persuasion or belief b: the
state of being convinced
Synonyms see certainty, opinion
Kevin Carter was the photographer who
captured a little Sudanese girl who was
crawling her way to a feeding centre all
while a vulture was watching and waiting
to devour her. Kevin snapped the photograph
(pictured above right) and shooed
the vulture away but there are no reports as
to what happened next to that little girl.
Kevin later suffered from depression and
until this day there are various speculations,
some say it’s because he chose not do anything
to save the girl and others say there
was nothing he could have done because
she was not the only famine victim. St.
Petersburg Times stated that Carter, “might
just as well be a predator, another vulture
on the scene.” Even some of Carter’s friends
wondered why he hadn’t helped the little
girl.
Whenever I think about this heart wrenching
picture I too wonder where Carter’s
heart and thoughts were. How could he not
have saved her or even at least tried? Th en
I begin to wonder what more I myself can
do, or what we as a community can do to
help those who are hungry, desperate for a
hand up or simply left in a desert or on a
curb to fi gure it out on their own. Th is may
not be Sudan but we are surrounded by
hurting people in need nonetheless.
Kevin Carter once said, “Everyone that
has been involved in these stories has been
aff ected. You become changed forever.”
I believe he is right. If I were to take you
along the riverbed at night, through the
back alleys or if we jumped together into
a dumpster, you would be changed.
If you were to sit in my car across the street and
watch as men solicit young girls for sex,
you would feel a conviction that is one
in which is hard to express on paper with
words. I know that it is because of a conviction
and a compassion that you posses that
you support me in this venture and for that
I will always remain thankful and humbled.
When I see street kids, sometimes I feel like
there is so much I still don’t understand and
yet I feel and live out a strong God-given
conviction that reminds me that at the end
of the line, when my life is over, I do not
want to have those regrets of not being
intentional about reaching out. I don’t want
to watch as the vulture in life (drugs, prostitution,
hunger, loneliness) wait to devour
those I have come to know and love.
Kevin Carter ended his life and his suicide
note was a litany of nightmares and dark visions,
a clutching attempt at an autobiography,
self-analysis, explanation, excuse. Th is
weekend I heard it said, “It’s what you do in
the dash” meaning that on your tombstone,
if mine were to say “1974 – ____” what
would I have accomplished in the “dash”,
the in-between years?
I know that with God’s conviction, guidance
and strength, I will continue in
whatever capacity He allows me, to reach
out and invest in what’s most important
because I want to leave a legacy behind that
represents God working through my life on
earth and not feel my life was full of excuse
or regret.
Main Entry: con•vic•tion
Pronunciation: \kuhn-vik-shuhn\
Function: noun
Date: 15th century
1: Th e act or process of convicting of a
crime especially in a court of law
2 a: Th e act of convincing a person of error
or of compelling the admission of a truth
b: the state of being convinced of error or
compelled to admit the truth
3 a: A strong persuasion or belief b: the
state of being convinced
Synonyms see certainty, opinion
Kevin Carter was the photographer who
captured a little Sudanese girl who was
crawling her way to a feeding centre all
while a vulture was watching and waiting
to devour her. Kevin snapped the photograph
(pictured above right) and shooed
the vulture away but there are no reports as
to what happened next to that little girl.
Kevin later suffered from depression and
until this day there are various speculations,
some say it’s because he chose not do anything
to save the girl and others say there
was nothing he could have done because
she was not the only famine victim. St.
Petersburg Times stated that Carter, “might
just as well be a predator, another vulture
on the scene.” Even some of Carter’s friends
wondered why he hadn’t helped the little
girl.
Whenever I think about this heart wrenching
picture I too wonder where Carter’s
heart and thoughts were. How could he not
have saved her or even at least tried? Th en
I begin to wonder what more I myself can
do, or what we as a community can do to
help those who are hungry, desperate for a
hand up or simply left in a desert or on a
curb to fi gure it out on their own. Th is may
not be Sudan but we are surrounded by
hurting people in need nonetheless.
Kevin Carter once said, “Everyone that
has been involved in these stories has been
aff ected. You become changed forever.”
I believe he is right. If I were to take you
along the riverbed at night, through the
back alleys or if we jumped together into
a dumpster, you would be changed.
If you were to sit in my car across the street and
watch as men solicit young girls for sex,
you would feel a conviction that is one
in which is hard to express on paper with
words. I know that it is because of a conviction
and a compassion that you posses that
you support me in this venture and for that
I will always remain thankful and humbled.
When I see street kids, sometimes I feel like
there is so much I still don’t understand and
yet I feel and live out a strong God-given
conviction that reminds me that at the end
of the line, when my life is over, I do not
want to have those regrets of not being
intentional about reaching out. I don’t want
to watch as the vulture in life (drugs, prostitution,
hunger, loneliness) wait to devour
those I have come to know and love.
Kevin Carter ended his life and his suicide
note was a litany of nightmares and dark visions,
a clutching attempt at an autobiography,
self-analysis, explanation, excuse. Th is
weekend I heard it said, “It’s what you do in
the dash” meaning that on your tombstone,
if mine were to say “1974 – ____” what
would I have accomplished in the “dash”,
the in-between years?
I know that with God’s conviction, guidance
and strength, I will continue in
whatever capacity He allows me, to reach
out and invest in what’s most important
because I want to leave a legacy behind that
represents God working through my life on
earth and not feel my life was full of excuse
or regret.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Renewed
Now if you read my letters on a regular basis, you will know that last year was by far a year that was one of the hardest years I have had to face in all of my ministry and even my personal life. These letters can be pretty hard to share sometimes but yet I am thankful that I can be vulnerable with you and share my heart so freely. With the difficult scenarios of last year, such as the physical attack by a couple of men, the pure mental and emotional exhaustion, with my mind whirling constantly wondering if God still intended me to remain with StreetLight, I needed God to once again provide the assurance that my calling was to this ministry and that I could make it through the difficult times.
My deepest and most heartfelt prayer for last year was simply. “Lord PLEASE... I just need a miracle to happen, one really good thing. I’m tired. Please Lord, it’s all I ask. I need to know you’re still here with me and you hear me crying.” It seems so silly now when I reflect on how I felt but I truly felt like a walking time bomb that could (and sometimes would) just break down into tears because I was so unhappy and unsettled inside. I remember very vividly thinking to myself how easy it would be to drive off of Deerfoot Trail and into oncoming traffic. It’s a pretty scary thought to realize that that was where I was in life, but it was very real. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a place before where I just didn’t “feel” like continuing in life. I was too tired. What was scarier was that I didn’t seem to care. I had suffered from stress hives for just over a year and I guess that should’ve been a pretty clear clue to take time to restore myself and take inventory of my schedule and life. I kept pep telling myself saying, “This year is almost done Maria” in the hopes that time would make things better and that I’d feel strong again. I was desperate for something good to happen. God’s love language to me has always been the miracle factor and you’ve heard me state before that often I feel like a little girl on God’s lap and I feel like He loves me so much and knows me so well, that He wasn’t just willing to give me the little pink bike, but the pink bike with the tassels too! Perhaps it’s a funny remark to you, but in my spiritual and ministry journey, I have thrived on the miracle factor and those “extras” – the extra assurances.
When I was preparing for the StreetLight Christmas party (and if you read the Insight’s article), you will understand why the stress hit hard this past Christmas. I felt like a failure. I felt ashamed and useless. I hid in my office sulking because looking at the needs we had for more backpacks, blankets etc, I felt like perhaps I wasn’t going to have that “something good” I wanted anytime soon. So when the call went out and the numbers of backpacks went from 120-475 in a matter of days and the one bag full of blankets went to 20+bags, I KNEW that it was a God thing for sure! I was in awe. When the winter blizzard hit on the night we were to host our party outside along the Bow River, I felt heartbroken as we loaded up the StreetLight trailer. I began to doubt that the night would be a success and I doubted kids would even show up. The emotions of that day were at their peak. The moment we arrived downtown (after the 2 hour hauling through the snow drifts), and I saw the hundreds of homeless waiting in the freezing cold for a BackPack and a bite to eat – I felt confirmed that I still heard God’s voice and it was His “something good” for me. It was the lift my spirit needed. It was my answer to prayers. Because of that moment, I now remember what it is like to be close to God and have that close and constant communication, to have joy and affirmation deep within. It’s what fuels me for this ministry, for life.
When I even see how you as my friends and sponsors have been so diligent and thoughtful in supporting me and this ministry, it again reminds me that I am being taken care of and I have much to be thankful for. I appreciate your gifts and your generosity in resources and prayers. That miracle factor means the world to me and being dependent upon God to provide my needs, is really the best way to live and something I truly cherish. Thank you for being a part of my journey.
I feel like this year is indeed a fresh year of miracles and affirmations. I trust that God will provide my every need and will use many of you to reach out with me, reach out to those in need. My spirit feels renewed and I possess passion again and I have once again experienced how God the Father does indeed hold me close and renews my strength and encourages my heart. Many of you have reached out in very special ways to me over the course of this last year because you could sense where I was at. Even typing out a thank you, makes my heart feel soft and tears fill my eyes because of the gratitude I feel for you and your thoughtfulness. So please don’t give up on me and please continue those prayers – they are not taken for granted and it is what encourages the very depths of my heart!
My deepest and most heartfelt prayer for last year was simply. “Lord PLEASE... I just need a miracle to happen, one really good thing. I’m tired. Please Lord, it’s all I ask. I need to know you’re still here with me and you hear me crying.” It seems so silly now when I reflect on how I felt but I truly felt like a walking time bomb that could (and sometimes would) just break down into tears because I was so unhappy and unsettled inside. I remember very vividly thinking to myself how easy it would be to drive off of Deerfoot Trail and into oncoming traffic. It’s a pretty scary thought to realize that that was where I was in life, but it was very real. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a place before where I just didn’t “feel” like continuing in life. I was too tired. What was scarier was that I didn’t seem to care. I had suffered from stress hives for just over a year and I guess that should’ve been a pretty clear clue to take time to restore myself and take inventory of my schedule and life. I kept pep telling myself saying, “This year is almost done Maria” in the hopes that time would make things better and that I’d feel strong again. I was desperate for something good to happen. God’s love language to me has always been the miracle factor and you’ve heard me state before that often I feel like a little girl on God’s lap and I feel like He loves me so much and knows me so well, that He wasn’t just willing to give me the little pink bike, but the pink bike with the tassels too! Perhaps it’s a funny remark to you, but in my spiritual and ministry journey, I have thrived on the miracle factor and those “extras” – the extra assurances.
When I was preparing for the StreetLight Christmas party (and if you read the Insight’s article), you will understand why the stress hit hard this past Christmas. I felt like a failure. I felt ashamed and useless. I hid in my office sulking because looking at the needs we had for more backpacks, blankets etc, I felt like perhaps I wasn’t going to have that “something good” I wanted anytime soon. So when the call went out and the numbers of backpacks went from 120-475 in a matter of days and the one bag full of blankets went to 20+bags, I KNEW that it was a God thing for sure! I was in awe. When the winter blizzard hit on the night we were to host our party outside along the Bow River, I felt heartbroken as we loaded up the StreetLight trailer. I began to doubt that the night would be a success and I doubted kids would even show up. The emotions of that day were at their peak. The moment we arrived downtown (after the 2 hour hauling through the snow drifts), and I saw the hundreds of homeless waiting in the freezing cold for a BackPack and a bite to eat – I felt confirmed that I still heard God’s voice and it was His “something good” for me. It was the lift my spirit needed. It was my answer to prayers. Because of that moment, I now remember what it is like to be close to God and have that close and constant communication, to have joy and affirmation deep within. It’s what fuels me for this ministry, for life.
When I even see how you as my friends and sponsors have been so diligent and thoughtful in supporting me and this ministry, it again reminds me that I am being taken care of and I have much to be thankful for. I appreciate your gifts and your generosity in resources and prayers. That miracle factor means the world to me and being dependent upon God to provide my needs, is really the best way to live and something I truly cherish. Thank you for being a part of my journey.
I feel like this year is indeed a fresh year of miracles and affirmations. I trust that God will provide my every need and will use many of you to reach out with me, reach out to those in need. My spirit feels renewed and I possess passion again and I have once again experienced how God the Father does indeed hold me close and renews my strength and encourages my heart. Many of you have reached out in very special ways to me over the course of this last year because you could sense where I was at. Even typing out a thank you, makes my heart feel soft and tears fill my eyes because of the gratitude I feel for you and your thoughtfulness. So please don’t give up on me and please continue those prayers – they are not taken for granted and it is what encourages the very depths of my heart!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Operation BackPack 2008
Click and see what took place at StreetLight this Christmas!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5425762627014767921
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5425762627014767921
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