service day with my class

So, on Friday, my whole grade got split up and put into different places in the city. We all got to do different outreach things. Some went to Siloam, others went to Union Gospel Mission. And my group went to St. Aidens! It was kinda cool because my group for mexico got to be there with me and see what I've been doing. It was really cool. We had to put on a chapel, so Matt (one of my friends/ classmates) played guitar, and originally I was supposed to lead singing. But I convinced everybody in my group to come and sing. We also help move books and re-organizing their library. And spent some one-on-one time with the kids. We all helped them with different things, math, reading, spelling.. etc.
They served us lunch, and it was really yummy. And we got to join them in their breaks, we played pool and floor hockey, and at lunch, we had a big game of dodge-ball. My team against the kids. It was really fun. Then we went to Sidney Klassen Pool and Gym. And we all go to go swimming.... well except me. I was rushing so much that morning that I completely forgot about my bathing suit. So.. I go splash, and received a lot of nice, warm, wet hugs... :)
anyways. I had so much fun, with my team, and with the students. My hope is to go again this Friday!!

final post... at least for this semester...

Wow this semester went by so fast! This past monday I presented my project to my class. And it went a lot better then I thought. (apart from my shaky voice) :) I think I got my main points across.
I talked about my background to this project and how Uganda and Grand Rapids really had an impact on me, and that it really change my perspective toward my surroundings. I also talked about my experiences at Siloam and how that even though homeless people are grubby and have nothing. God made them and that they are still special.
And yeah.
This is more of a project for me, this is more of a lifestyle, and so I don't think I'm just going to end here now that this class is done.
This class, or project kinda was just my starting point, my push to actually start being more involved. So I don't think this will be my final post. And maybe it will be. But this isn't going to be the end of working inner-city!

back again to st. Adien's

I went to St. Adien's again yesterday! It was soo much fun. The grade 9's were on some field trip, so there was approximately 6 kids there. It was actually kinda nice cause I got to spend more one-on-one time with the kids. I was really surprised when they actually remembered me and wanted me there. The first time I went there, it felt like some of the kids almost built a wall, and that they didn't even notice me. But yesterday, when they came, they were all like 'Miss Taylor!!' It was really nice :)..
So I got to do art all morning with them, which was great cause I LOVE art! And then after break I just help kids with reading and spelling, and little jobs like that! It was great, and I'm so happy that I could connect with the kids this time.

St. Adien's

So I went to St. Adien's school on Tuesday. It was different then I thought it would be, but not in a negative way. When I got to the school, I helped set up some math games on computers. And then I joined the staff devotions. It was weird not being a student. When the kids came I was in the math class, and they all called me 'Miss Taylor.' It was a little weird, but I got used to it. During the day I helped out with little things like handing out notebooks, and collecting assignments. And it was weird being the assistance teacher. I also helped kids with their math work, for the ones who didn't understand and that just need some attention. So I sat with a few kids. And the first one that I sat with was in grade 6. She was really quiet and she acted like she didn't know how to do the work, but when she was on task, she always got the answers right.
It was different to be working in a math class. I used to love math, but lately it just hasn't been my strongest subjects. But doing math that I already have done, and helping some kids do it, I felt that I was able to help them more than I thought that I could. When I noticed that I would be working in a math class, I was starting to worry because I thought that I might not get it myself, or that I would have a difficult time explaining it. But in the end, it was all good.
Like I said before, I didn't really think that becoming a mentor would be me teaching/ assisting kids. But maybe that is the way to break the ice, before I become a 'Big sister..' maybe this is how I'm going to figure out who I will click with, and how I will become familiar to them.
I am looking forward to next week, especially now that I know what I'm doing on these mornings.

the process

So, before Christmas break, I emailed a teacher that works at St. Aiden's. We talked about me starting to attend the school, and either working in the school, or being a 'Big sister.' And I was really drawn to the big sister Idea, but I wanted to give both a shot. I didn't want to just do one and not the other because I want to get the full experience.
I have a double spare every day six (which comes 1 every cycle) So this way, I can go almost once a week till the end of January. Then after exams I'm going to have to figure something else out. But I think that this is a good start.
I am looking forward to starting to volunteer. I don't really know what this is going to look like. So..

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.

volunteering at Siloam

this isn't us but, its the idea of what it looks like.

I went to Siloam Mission on Thursday. It. Was. Amazing!! I went with a few people with my school. When we got there we put on aprons and hair nets.. ( I never thought I would have to wear one of those  in my whole life :D ) and we went into the kitchen. We washed our hands and got right to work. The kitchen in Siloam was pretty big and there were several volunteers. One of the leaders in the kitchen sent me to the turkey. I had to cut, the all already cut, turkey to make sure there were no bones in it. I cut and cut and my knife got so dull but I kept going. I just kept thinking to myself that this wasn't for me, it was for them. Before I started cutting the turkey I was offered to wear gloves. I know this is silly, but I didn't want to wear the gloves because I wanted to get my hands dirty, and literally that happened... I finished one bin relatively quickly. I just continued cutting and picking through the turkey until they called us to serving line. There we each got assigned to a certain part of the meal and it proceeded like an assembly line. I served these chip things. It was amazing how friendly and polite these people were. They didn't have a choice in what they got, we served them what we had, and that is what they got. But they would say hi and ask how you were. They would say thank you and just little things I wouldn't have thought they would be like. But ya, we kept going and going until 1:30 ish and then we had to close it up. On Thursday, there apparently was half the amount that usually show. Usually both huge pots of soup are almost gone, and all the crackers are done, and they are rummaging up what they can find for whatever they are out of. But on Thursday there was only one pot empty and left over cheese and lots of others. I think I will be going back on Tuesday again. And I am looking forward to it.
getting a tour:
During my time at Siloam I also had the opportunity to take a tour of the Siloam building. Mrs. Neufeld wanted me to meet a lady named Lindsey, who I was told was a lot like me. Lindsey, when she was around my age, did outreach in inner city type things, and she also had the chance to go to Africa for a while. Lindsey said that, 'Yes it was an amazing opportunity, in Africa, but this kind of thing was happening in our own city. That there was help needed all around us.' She ended up staying and doing outreach in Winnipeg and later on ended up getting a job with Siloam.
Lindsey showed me around the building, the basement consists of all their supply of clothes, food, toiletries, and other little things like books. The clothes are all sorted by size, season, and gender. The food that is kept in a large freezer/fridge, and shelves, again all sorted and organized with expiry dates, ect. All their food, clothes, books, ect. is all donated.
Then on the top floor there is an exercise room and just an open floor. That is the room where we will be having ICE (Inner City Experience). There is a floor with all these beds, and tubs that people can but their belongings in over night. The majority of the floor is for men, and a small section for woman. Siloam's attendance is mostly men. There is another floor that is just offices, and then the main floor. Which has the kitchen and a large eating room. It also has an art room, and a phone.
During this tour I learned some things, and thought of things that I never would have really thought of before. Siloam gets a lot of donations, but the thing is that they get a high amount of female attire, and since the majority of the people that attend Siloam are male, this causes a bit a problem. Also people go through their stuff and give it to them, but maybe its all their summer clothes. Well now its winter, so it will help them, but not now. Siloam has a website that helps people know what they do need.
Here is the website on their needs:
http://www.siloam.ca/get-involved/fill-a-need/
When I think of homeless people, I think, well they don't have anything. But when I went on this tour I heard some things that I didn't even think about them loosing. Like a phone number, or mailing address. These people haven't just lost food, a roof, but they have lost their identity. Things like phone numbers and mailing addresses, people to communicate with, often is taken for granted. So I thought that was really crazy to me that I had never thought about little things like that.

little history

This was the school I worked at in Uganda.

I have always loved kids. I have a big family and with kids all the time, and I just seem to connect with them. Last year I went to Lugazi, Uganda for 3 weeks with 2 of my older sisters. There I worked (accompanied) at a school named 'Hope Land School,' in which English was strictly unforced . (Yes it was beaten into them..)Before I left I bought a whole bunch of supplies, crayons, colored paper, books, lots of sports balls and a big world map. They were so happy when they got everything, and incredibly grateful. I attended 3 different grade/classes every school day. I mostly just played soccer and football, jump rope and catch. But when I was in the classes I would assist the kids on their work and tell them about the world and showed them where I lived. I would draw pictures on the black board and they would laugh and laugh and tell me to draw this and that. I worked with the kids and loved each an every one of them. This was an amazing experience.

Some kids from pathway...

This past summer I also did another outreach ministry which took place in Grand Rapids, MB. There we provided all day day camp for 5 days for about 60-70 kids, ages around 7-12[with a few that weren't that age :)] The name of this reserve is Misipawistik Cree. We would start at 9 am in the morning and go all day till 4:30. The days were intense, we gave everything we had to the kids. During a regular day in this day camp we would have a chapel, play sports, do either crafts/cup stacking/or gym activities, we would have silly songs, water balloon throwing, and feed them lunch and a snack. For some this was the only meal that the kids got. There was one little girl who asked if we were going to get another meal that day when all the kids left. She was so surprised when one of the volunteers said yes. These kids we very needy, but they were so fun and I loved every minute of it. Most of these children were in the care of someone else besides there birth parents. Some in foster families, others with uncles, aunts, and many grandparents. In Grand Rapids they had a lovely school facility, but the problem is that kids are dropping out at 9 years old, because the caregivers were not providing the support that the children needed. There are a number of kids that stay, and there are just some that get kicked out. There was one little boy who came to the day camp and he was only 7 years old, and was kicked out of school already. So many of the children we worked with suffered, many had lice, and some with open sources that just weren't being attended to.
I have been to two places in my life with extreme poverty. But to me they were completely different. I guess maybe the point of my project is to see that we have poverty here. We have it all around us, in our city, in our province, in our country.

getting started

First off, I need to figure out the foundation of my project is. I know that I want to volunteer at different organizations, I am also wanting to know more about the history of poverty and also about the lives of the hurting children out there. Some where in this project I believe I'm going to interview both people who work with the ones in poverty, and about what they do to reach out for the hurting. Also I want to hear some of the people who are hurting. I don't really know how I'm going to do that, I can't just walk up so someone in Shalom Mission and ask them how they became they way they are... but I think it would to get the whole story, both the inner and outside picture. I also am curious about how these organizations came to be. The history and the ways organizations actually started. All these elements somehow make my project, that will some how make an end product or goal. I have to work on it so that its not just a bunch of little things and when I am explaining it I can just say.. ' oh my project is...' So that is my first step, to make a 'project' in a way.