becoming a mentor at St. Aiden's

So my project seems to becoming together in more ways then one. Lately I have felt that I don't know what to do with my project. I just haven't been moving along, plus this is more than a project for me. Its more a life style. So putting a life style into words and a 'final project' it kind of draining and stressful.
I am now getting closer to becoming a mentor at St. Aiden's, which was what I wanted to do from the beginning. So now that its starting I am getting excited.
I'm really looking forward to this. I get to be a 'big sister,' to one or two kids. I can help out during school, and in a classroom setting, or/and I can be big sister after school, and just be there with them. The only problem is my schedule. I am pretty busy after school, I have piano and homework, and my evenings just seem to run out. And if I do it during school I don't want to miss my classes. So my hope is to go during the day when I have double spare in the morning.
Maybe I can meet with Mrs. David before Christmas and take one or two of the kids home with me for the holidays, even for a bit. I think that would help me get to know them and get for them to get to know me. Also will establish a relationship, and coming here away from a difficult home situation, will be thriving to them.

Walk with me

During the banquet when people where doing speeches. Dylan, one of the staff, asked us to imagine a broken child saying these words. A broken child from a reserve...

Walk with me
Please, I beg, walk beside me,
You see, that's what it takes to get inside me,

If you really want to have your god to have my heart...
Get to know me, that's a start.
You see I don't need another class, another track or a chart
But instead, I need you to get to know me,

You seed I have my struggles, my hurts an my pain
My life isn't sunshine, mostly its rain
Inside my soul? If feels dark, and I feel alone
My mind is confused, and my heart feels like stone
And if you really cared... I think you'd pick up the phone
You tell me Jesus died. That his blood can atone.
You tell me "run to Christ! and then you'll be known!"

Yet you don't even know my name.
Shame. Yeah that's how I feel.
To be honest, I don't even know what is real.
You say that I'm clay, wrong. I feel closer to steel.

When. Will things ever change? If so then when?
But then, my throat closed up, I could barley swallow...
Because all of a sudden you asked me to follow.
Me, no a future better version.
I begged for a drip of love but you gave me submersion
Your gospel and my heart felt this crazy immersion

Because simply, you walked with me.
You showed me first hand, what it meant to be free
So I opened my heart and I gave you the key
And for the first time I could finally see
Why someone like Jesus would actually die for me.

You brought your bible to life, it wasn't just talk
You see the word love, it's a verb, and so is the word walk
So I thank you for putting your love into action,
Because your love is what caused my internal reaction.
No. My eternal reaction
This crazy attraction..
I finally know what it's like to be free
Because you took the time to walk with me.

Written by:
Dylan Howell ( from Pathway Ministries)

pathway banquet

http://pathwaycampministries.com/

This week I attended a banquet that was for Pathway Ministries. I was so nice to see everyone that I worked with at Grand Rapids again. During this banquet, some of the staff said some words. Talked about what the ministry was all about.
At my table, one of the guys that I worked with this past summer, and who is also on the staff for Pathway, was there. I talked to him about Grand Rapids, and he said that they are going there once a week to put on a bible study.
All that was going through my head at that moment was. TAKE ME WITH YOU!! I have been wanting to go back to Grand Rapids pretty much the moment I left. :) This bible study was a new thing, and I asked if there was anyway that I could go. I really want to go, to see all the kids that I haven't seen in so long and that I love so much. So I am aloud to go. I'm not sure when, because of how far it is and how it interferes with school, but hopefully I can figure out something so that I can fit that into my project as well.
Another thing that was cool at the banquet was, they had written out a prayer card. It was a kids name from the different places that Pathway ministers to. On this card was a name, their age, and which reserve they were from. So I looked for some kids that I knew. And I thought that was a great idea.

2nd time at Siloam

Siloam Mission, 300 Princess Street.

So this time, was much like the first time. Except instead of cutting chicken, I was cutting endless containers of onions!! The upside to this, is that these onions were nothing like the onions from my moms garden. They were way less strong. It still hurt my eyes a bit and made me cry, but not till I was done almost one whole bucket. If they were anything like my moms, I would be weeping by the second cut of the first one. :) But it was good.
Last time, their was half the amount of people that show up to get food. But this time, there was a lot. I was so happy that lots of people came to get food. In the food line, I again served crackers. Which were very very crumbly, I felt horrible for giving people crumbs, so after a while, I switched to croutons, and then soon ran out. We rummaged around the kitchen, and couldn't find anything at first. So I was back to handing out crumbs. But they were happy. So that made me happy. I said my hellos, and the people who come are so happy, it surprises me every time. How could someone who has nothing be so happy, so polite?
Another thing that I often forget is that when we go there, we all have to wear a hair net, or hat, an apron, and a name tag. I'll be standing in line, and someone will be like, 'Hello Taylor!' and my heart will sink, and I'll look at them and think, I HAVE NEVER SEEN YOU BEFORE!! and then be like oh.my.goodness. I am wearing a name tag. It's okay Taylor. I sure hope my shock doesn't show.
After each time I get to do something like this, I feel so excited about my project.

one more thing...

Last time I was volunteering at Siloam, I forgot to mention something about my experience. So first off I am a very observant person and so while I was in the assembly line last time filling plates, I found myself constantly looking toward this guy who was talking to himself. He looked kind of rugged and dirty. But then again so did they all, but for some reason this guy just stood out to me. I kept looking at him, but he didn't really notice anyone in the room. He was shaking and scratching his head, then would talk to what looked like someone should have been there having a conversation with him. Then back to rocking again. I also noticed that he hadn't eaten yet. It was getting closer and closer to when we would have to close the windows. So I prayed that somehow, food would pass through is brain. That he could be at peace even for five minutes, and that he would just get up and come eat. After I prayed I felt kinda silly and stupid. He probably has eaten, I thought. God probably thinks I'm crazy, and what if he doesn't get up... All these thoughts going through my head. But then, not even five minutes later, he looked around, stood up and came toward the food line. I was crying at that moment. Tears of joy. After this man was done eating, I was so happy that I prayed again and asked God to continue giving this man peace. A few minutes later, he is asleep with his head resting on the table. I told Mrs. Neufeld, I was so amazed, and shocked that God did that. I just felt like I had to tell the world at that point.