Day 3: Monday
By: Emma, Julia, and Gracie
We started our day by heading to the Matthew House facility here. We were able to do a walk-through tour of the facility and see a little insight into all the individual families’ situations. Our youth got the honour of hearing from their youth! It was really eye opening for many of us just seeing purely how many cultures, languages, and countries were represented in such a (deceivingly) small space. Pastor Mike was able to share more with us about why and how people are forced to become refugees and the really difficult process of transition to life in Canada in a new place, with new unfamiliar culture, language, faces, schools, social systems, with really little assistance without the help of organizations such as the Matthew House. It is such a beautifully God led ministry. They were so incredibly open with us, and gave us really honest stories, and perspectives. When we arrives there, four of the young girls decided they were going to be the ones to welcome us – and then promptly ran away upon seeing us. After a LOT of giggling and smiling, by the time we left, these girls were following us everywhere we went, and almost talking over each other they were so excited to share.
As a part of our time here, we are doing a community food drive pick up by leaving flyers letting the community know we will be return Thursday to pick up donations people leave out on their porches. Today was flyer delivery day and the weather did not get the memo. It was snowing the whole time, and super windy – wet and windy is not ideally what we were hoping for here… But the ENTIRE team gave 100% of what they had, even sprinting up and down the streets to deliver all 900 flyers. We had a little friendly competition (that one van was not aware of) of who could finish their half first. Now not to brag, but Emma and Gracie’s group not only covered more area, handed out more flyers, and were done first. (Sorry Julia, who did not in fact know this was a competition). Huge shoutout to our team (mostly Erika <3) who picked up any and all garbage they saw. Way over and above the call of duty. We also had some fun making friends through the windows as lots of little kids curiously shoved their faces up against the glass as we waved at them. But they waved back harder.
For dinner we had our first meal at Feeding Windsor – it was so good. We are all still in a bit of a food coma. It was sooo fascinating to talk to them and hear their stories. It’s such an important ministry in the community.
We finished off our day wit some really impactful devos and worship, and then team building (pharisees and 9-square).
That’s where we are now… soo goodnight!
We’ll talk to you (sorta) tomorrow!!!
(Sorry, no pictures from today… we’ll post extra tomorrow. Promise!)