Vancouver 2025 Day Nine
Vancouver 2025 Day Nine
By: Olivia
Heyy!
Picture this: a small but fabulous mission team with gardening gloves, water bottles, and the joy of the Lord, absolutely killing a street’s worth of yard work. We were weed-wacking, mowing lawns, and occasionally pretending we knew what we were doing. Our team totally took over the neighborhood like a little army of Jesus-loving landscapers. Matt and Jacob were serving on one street, while Adeleecia and Kathryn tackled another. Tymon and I (Olivia) were at a house on a completely different street, right next to Abby and Randy, who were absolutely crushing it like the yard work pros they are. And just across from us were Wade and Charlotte… looking like they were in full-on garden warrior mode… though let’s be honest, they were more in a hot chocolate kinda zone. Kidding, they worked super hard outside but the woman whose house they were at, insisted they joined her for some hot chocolate inside! They were spoiled in the best way possible. It was so sweet seeing everyone spread out, doing their part, and bringing a little light (and maybe a little mulch lol) to every corner of the neighborhood. And then, get this, while Jacob and Matt were weeding, the sweet lady of whom they were serving came out and started chatting with them. Fast forward a few minutes and they’re inviting her to church, she says yes, and we’re literally making plans to pick her up tomorrow. The joy was real. We were grinning like girls who just found out their favourite worship leader is also single. Kidding lol. Had to add at least one little joke in here.
Then we headed to the local market, which felt like stepping into a Pinterest board brought to life. So many unique vendors, handmade everything, and the kind of smells that make you want to stop and take it all in. But what made it even better was seeing God’s hand in the little moments. We ran into Grant (our amazing host missionary!) and some friends from Community Gospel Chapel (our host church), and it was just one of those reminders that the Church is everywhere especially when it doesn’t always feel that way here on Salt Spring Island. Even in the middle of a market filled with pottery and jam jars, God was weaving connections and community right in front of us.
After finishing up at the market, we headed out for a hike up Mount Erskine. And let me just say that telling you that we hiked is a LITTLE generous. It felt more like a slow moving workout which of where we questioned our life choices… well at least I did! The team powered through like champs, while I on the other hand went back to the truck halfway into the walk. Oops. But, from what I did see the trail was peaceful and pretty, surrounded by tall trees and wildflowers that looked like they came straight out of a storybook. And when the team finally reached the top, the view took their breath away. They face-timed me to join them in on the goodness of God’s creation as well as to pray as a group! It truly felt like God had painted the sky just for us which was a quiet little reminder of how big and beautiful He is. They all stood there for a moment, just soaking it in, feeling small in the best way possible.
Okay let’s fast forward and talk about the polar dip.
Yes, we actually jumped into the Pacific Ocean.
Voluntarily.
If you heard a strange mix of yelps, gasps, and desperate prayers around 6pm our time, that was definitely us. The water was sooo stinking cold and there were even jellyfish. But after the initial shock (and some awkward flailing), it turned out to be kind of amazing. There’s just something about freezing your butt off with your team that bonds you for life. Plus, chattering teeth is surprisingly a fun way to wrap up a long day. Wade and I watched from the shore (yes I know we’re scaredy cats), but seriously seeing everyone in there having fun and pushing themselves out of their comfort zone was beautiful.
We wrapped up the day with a debrief time led by Grant, where we did both laugh and share what God’s been doing all week. Spoiler alert: He’s been doing A LOT. In conversations, in hard work, in moments of total exhaustion and total joy. It’s wild how you come expecting to serve others, and then God just completely flips it and serves you, right in the middle of a dirt pile, at a beautiful market or even in the Pacific Ocean.
Have a great day besties!
Love,
Olivia
