High River MDS - Work Day #2!

By the time we finished devotions and breakfast we were off for our second day of work in High River!  RJC and MDS, a match made in....High River?!

Today Hutch and Manny spent the day cutting and hanging drywall, they completed a bathroom. t'was a good time.

Most work has been in basements, but we did get outside a bit.  We stand on guard for thee! 

In the evening we went into Okotoks Evangelical Free Church where we met with a youth group and listened to a presentation about the church's response to the flood, and had some delicious snacks!  Well time for bed, because we're tired and tomorrow will be another full day. 

ALSO Alabama- Food Bank

Salutations from our currently rainy campsite! Denita Washington came and talked to us about fair housing laws, and signs to look for regarding discriminatory practices. She explained how hard it is for some people to find suitable housing.  She brought us in the mood for a hard working week.  We ended the session with our first  devotional lead by Derek and Morgan.  Then on to journaling for the day.

Denita Washington

Derek and Morgan lead a devotional.

Our first journaling

Change of plans because of the weather we ended up going to the mall instead of the beach. Lets just say you could spot the group by the amount of girls carrying big bright yellow forever 21 bags! 

After shopping we headed to the Bay Area Food Bank where we helped Carla sort foods. This warehouse was the distribution center for other  food banks in the area.  We ended getting done more than they expected. We packed 3200lbs of food, which made up 2400 meals!  Way to go team! We had a lovely meal prepared for us when we got home! #tacomonday #shoutout #bevandralph. 

Surveying the Foodbank warehouse.

Getting to work.

Sorting groceries.

Checking expiration dates.

Using our muscle!

We ended the day off with a good chill sesh, and some group bonding while playing soccer and other fun with the playground equipment. 

Water fun on the camp grounds!

A little soccer action.

-Katie and Mieke

High River MDS Work Day

This morning our alarms sounded at 6:30 AM and we got ready for a full day working with MDS in High River. At 7:10, we met with other MDS volunteers in the Chapel. Songs were led by Alejandra and Leah P., followed by devotions by Ryan, and Christie closed for us with a prayer in Cantonese. By 8:00, we were split into separate groups, and sent off to different houses in High River that MDS had already begun repair on. When we first arrived on the job sites, we were shocked. These houses did not look like the "typical" houses that you would expect to need assistance. These houses looked very expensive, however after entering their homes, and seeing the damage, we were able to realize how much the home owners truly required our help. The basements were all gutted, and were in the processes of being rebuilt. At some point in the day, every group heard about each homeowner's story, and how blessed they feel to have us coming into their homes to help rebuild. They needed our help, just like everyone else. At first we may not have understood why were were helping these particular people, but by the end, after hearing the homeowner's story, we were able to understand that each of them had their own unique story. Insurance companies only covered certain parts of the damage, and we were there with MDS to help fill the cracks and help them get back on their feet, to return their home back to home, as it once was.

At the end of the work day we celebrated with one of the home owners as we completed drywalling the ceiling in his brother's bedroom!

After the work day, we went back to Saddlebrook, and played a game of soccer with the young kids, who have been meeting at 4:30 every day to play soccer, since the flood.

Later in the evening, all of the different groups came together to share their highlights of the day. A group received cookies from the homeowners to show their happiness and thanks. Each group felt completely satisfied with knowing that they have helped the homeowner, with proof of tiling the bathroom, or drywalling the ceiling that they have done something, and helped the homeowner get one step closer to returning to their normal lifestyle.



Following the evening sharing time with the MDS group, we headed to Okotoks to hear stories about the flood from Neal Rowan of the Okotoks Fire Department.  Back to bed and ready for another full day of work tomorrow!

ALSO Alabama - Pass Christian

We arrived in Pass Christian, Mississippi on Sunday to a church called Goodwill Missionary Baptist church, which RJC has had an incredible relationship with over the years with our ALSO Gulf Coast trip. 

Going in the church a lot of us didn't know what to expect. We were greeted with loud and engaged speaking as well as singing. It was different from our church in the sense that no one would talk during the sermon or say anything, its quiet. In the Goodwill church when the pastor was talking people were talking, laughing and answering him. The sermon was called 'The Gift that Keeps on Forgiving', where we learned about forgiveness and how we can't receive it if we don’t give it. He made sure to reinforce that we do not count the number of times that  we forgive people we forgive 70x7 times. Throughout the sermon, Pastor Toussaint would say 'Can I get a witness?' and people from all over would answer. He was really honest and open with the congregation about his experiences. The music was fantastic, the singing was incredible, moving some of us even to tears (Karalee). Returning students pointed out that the 'sunglassed bass guitarist' was still there J. We especially enjoyed the solos done by two young boys (Afro with glasses <3). 

RJC Alabama Choir at the Goodwill Baptist Church

Mikayla and Ryan

Kelsi and Mieke present the church with a portion of the funds raised in the Have a Heart Fundraiser .  It was an answer to prayer as now the church can continue providing meals for volunteers in the area.

Who wouldn't want to tithe after this sermon on stewardship!

Congregational Song

Look Jim . . . they have 3 points in Pass Christian too!

The many faces of Pastor Toussaint

Can I have a Witness?

They served us a delicious home cooked meal including, beans, spaghetti, potato salad, garlic bread and a fabulous dessert served with a heaping of southern hospitality. A number of us had the opportunity to talk to the members of the church, which was especially heart warming.

The lovely people of Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church

 We had extra time after the service so we stopped at a nearby beach, where Mieke sat in bird poop, (good luck?). 

Only Katie had trouble with jumping on 3!

Katie and her parents stroll along the Gulf of Mexico along the shore where Katrina was at her worst.

After that we got to head to a swamp tour, where we checked out alligators, wild pigs (and piglets), boat raced and we all had a good laugh as the boat drivers were hilarious.  

The alligators were just coming out of hibernation.

The Blue Heron.

We arrived at Camp Christian late in the evening.  Tomorrow we begin our Also week activities.  We are ready to WORK!

Written by: Kelsi , Mieke, Cheyenne

Alberta Bound! Off to High River (and Saddlebrook)

Yeah!  We made it to Saddlebrook, AB, our work camp, just outside of High River where we will be working this week with Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS).

After registering for our rooms, and eating supper we had an orientation with the MDS reps who got us ready for our tasks tomorrow.  They also gave us t-shirts!  Saddlebrook is a busy place, and home to over 300 displaced people, many who are children.  It will be an early morning with devotionals at 7:10 AM, breakfast at 7:30 and on the worksite at 8:00 AM.  The need here is immense, and we are looking forward to doing our part! 

ALSO Saskatoon Day 1 - Housing First

The Saskatoon ALSO group began their week at the Mennonite Central Committee Saskatchewan offices on Avenue C in Saskatoon. There they were led by Miriam Ullah and Kaytee Edwards in an activity highlighting our differences and similarities, and creatively retelling the parable of the Good Samaritan as it would happen today. The morning ended with a very powerful presentation by RJC Alumnus Deann Mercier about her work at The Lighthouse and issues of homelessness in Saskatoon. The question and answer time with Deann was particularly interesting as the students had some great insights and comments to make.

The RJC students re-wrote the Good Samaritan story to how it would have been told today. A lot of thought was put in by each group.

The new Good Samaritan story was then role played, complete with thought bubbles.

Myrian Ullah and Kaytee Edwards led the morning at the MCC office in Saskatoon.

The presentations and activites in the morning spawned a lot of discussion among the students during break and lunch. The MCC offices in Saskatoon are a great place for meetings and discussions like this. The facilities really lend themselves to learning.

Terry and Lyndsey in discussion about the presentations on homelessness in Saskatoon

The afternoon was spent in downtown Saskatoon at two agencies - Saskatoon Open Door Society for new arrivals to Canada and The Lighthouse. (hurrah for warm spring-like weather! I think we were warmer than the Alabama group today! YIPPEE!)  The students were divided into two groups and dropped off at one or the other site. After an informative meeting and a tour at each place, they had to walk to the next place and make observations about things they saw in Saskatoon, such as places advertising "help wanted" or "apartments available for rent."

One of the groups had a bit of an adventure by turning east instead of west and became completely turned around when the afternoon was done and they had to find their way back to the bus. Rescue via cellphone directions made everything OK.

Here the students are listening to a presentation about new arrivals to Canada at the Saskatoon Open Door Society.

The students watch an awesome video put together by media students at Evan Hardy Collegiate (a local Saskatoon public highschool) about The Lighthouse. It's worth the 6 minute to watch.

With homelessness involving many complex issues such as poverty, mental illness, addictions, unemployment (or under-employment,) and crime, often the question is asked what is the first step? A more and more common theme among governments and agencies is "housing first!" Get people in to a safe place to call home first and THEN they will have the ability to begin to tackle other issues they face.

The above video featured a resident of The Lighthouse - "Bear" whom the students recognized as soon as they entered the apartment block. Bear was gracious enough to share freely with the students some of his story - completely unplanned and impromptu. Connections made and respect traded.

"Bear" with the students at The Lighthouse.

The Lighthouse is undergoing a major renovation expanding their capacity for residents. They are making a major announcement on Friday regarding the status of their campaign. It will be exciting! Watch the news outlets in Saskatoon!

Deann Mercier took the students around The Lighthouse showing their facilities and some of the renovations that are underway to expand their capacity. This was the former hotel's swimming pool - which was never actually used as a pool and will be converted to living and exercise areas.

Deann Mercier with some of the RJC students.

A newly renovated appartment at The Lighthouse. Look out the window and you see the Galaxy theatre right across the road. It is a strange mix of clientele.

The day ended with the students journalling about their experiences and thoughts. Each day this week we will stop at the MCC Offices to journal and debrief.

Tomorrow the students will begin their work at either Habitat for Humanity or a downtown Saskatoon community school.

Cody and Toby are putting their thoughts and impressions down on paper in their ALSO journals.

Expedition to El Salvador

¡Hola Amigos y Amigas!

    And that´s about as much spanish as we know! So a lot has happened since the last blog! We managed to not lose Daniel or anyone else thanks to our new buddy system. The next morning, we had our orientation with Nancy, the MCC connecting peoples coordinator for Guatemala and El Salvador. After orientation we went out for lunch at an authentic Guatemala meal of fried chicken and french fries at Pollo Campero. (Not that we can´t get that at home or anything, but for the record, it´s waaaaay better than KFC.)

    After lunch we travelled to El Salvador and arrived at ANADES just in time for supper. As we walked in we were greeted warmly by a group of children jumping and waving, shouting ¨¡Hola! Hola!¨ It was pretty cute we must say, and it instantly made us feel welcome. We didn´t do a whole lot more that night other than sit around and play cards, journal, and braid Ryan´s hair. We spent the next morning getting a tour and learning about ANADES, which is a group that focuses on educating women and children about human rights for themselves and others. Unfortunately we were unable to see the children as they were away on a little field trip. Next we ate lunch before heading to a museum about Oscar Romero, who was assasinated during the El Salvadorian Civil War and is a huge icon to the people of El Salvador and Guatemala. We also learned some information about 6 Jesuit priests who were assasinated by the military. 

     Our next destination was a former coffee plantation now known as New Canaan. This farm is located near a very poor community called La Linea. This community was displaced from their only original location because of massive mud slides. They have had to scavenge materials to make make-shift houses in areas where most people do not own the land they live on. This community now has many problems with gangs and drugs. The youth are strongly pressured into joining gangs but if they are seen as active members of the Baptist Church youth group they are respected and not pressured. This youth group is run by Pastor Jaime who owns New Canaan. Pastor Jaime now farms the land around New Canaan. We spent the night at the farm and were treated to delicious freshly squeezed orange juice, fried plantane, and other delicious fresh fruits. Before supper we met the youth group and enjoyed a friendly soccer game where we all got beat very badly (especially the girls). We also were able to listen to each other sing some songs and they presented us with a delicious gift of coffee.

     The next day we woke up bright and early and went to Perquin to visit CEBES.  There we talked to the ladies about what they do. They have a co-operative in which they can sell their hand made products. They also have bible studies where they focus specifically on women in the Bible. After this we went to El Mozote, the site where a massive massacre took place. Here around 1000 civilian poeple were tricked by the army and then killed. Only one person survived the attack and lived to tell what happened there. In the evening we were involved in another concert. This time we enjoyed listening to a local band called Times of Change. The choir from the local Cathlic church also sang for us before we had the opportunity to sing for them. Ryan and Matt were interviewed for local TV at this event and had to talk about what the massacre had meant to them.

    Today we spent all day in the van driving back to Guatemala where we typed this blog (it only took us like 8 hours to get back here). We will try our best to keep you updated through out the rest of the trip when we can! In the mean time, ¡adiós!

- Laura, Alyssa, Ryan, Matt