"Financial Diary of a 20something - My Debt Story"

If you do nothing else with this blog post - do yourself a giant favour and read the full story here.
It's the story of a young woman in her twenties who slid into a dead-heavy lifestyle and battled back to reclaim her finances.  Here's the thing: it can happen to any one of us.  Though her compelling essay relates a lot to what she calls "lifestyle inflation", a part of her story is about easy credit and how it can swallow you up in no time.

If you are a young person just beginning university/college or work life - you will have PLENTY of opportunity to pile on debt. Credit card companies will practically throw themselves at your feet and say "Please! Spend our money!".  There will be credit card vendors giving away "free gifts" - all you have to do is apply for their credit card.

To which you should say: "Cease and desist!"

A credit card does not equal free money.

For too many young people, especially if you're going to university or college, it is assumed that you will incur debt - big debt.  And yet I see these debt-ridden students spending big on nights out, trips abroad, etc... I guess the idea being "what's another thousand dollars when I already owe 30 grand?" .. and maybe, "Everybody's graduating with debt, it's fact of life - why not spend some extra now and have fun while the cash is available to me?".

But another real fact of life is that though some debt might be unavoidable, making smart living lifestyle choices can save you thousands of dollars and not only keep your debt manageable, but to free yourself up to be generous towards others.

Read Elsa's story and see if you need to make any adjustments to your spending. As one commenter wrote, "Great article! Where were you when I went through the SAME experience 12 years ago? If only we knew now what we knew then….."

A Samurai, a Monk, and Peace.

THE GATES OF PARADISE
A soldier named Nobushige came to the Zen master Hakuin, and asked: "Is there really a paradise and a hell?"
"Who are you?" inquired Hakuin.
"I am a samurai," the warrior replied.
"You, a soldier!" exclaimed Hakuin. What kind of ruler would have you as his guard? Your face looks like that of a beggar."
Nobushige became so angry that he began to draw his sword, but Hakuin continued: "So you have a sword! Your weapon is probably much too dull to cut off my head."
As Nobushige drew his sword Hakuin remarked: "Here open the gates of hell!"
At these words the samurai, perceiving the master's discipline, sheathed his sword and bowed.
"Here open the gates of paradise," said Hakuin.

"You're familiar with the command to the ancients, 'Do not murder.' I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother 'idiot!' and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell 'stupid!' at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill" - Jesus Christ, in Matthew 5: 21-22, The Message.

Rage is not good.  Whether you're a samurai about to chop someone's head off or a driver yelling at the guy who just cut you off in rush-hour, anger is not cool.  I like to think of myself as an even-tempered, slow-to-anger kind of guy but there are times when anger gets the better of me.  It should slip off like water off a duck's back... but sometimes it's like grease on a white shirt: it sticks, and it's ugly.

I always feel embarrassed afterward, like a petulant child that didn't get his way. Because I am surrounded by gracious people, I am forgiven and humbled. 

I pray that God continues to work at me, an imperfect person, so that I can speak Peace instead of War.

...and that God also endows those around me, especially my fiancee (ha!), with supernatural patience.  

East Africa drought response

MCC is appealing for donations in response to a critical drought and food crisis in East Africa, which has affected about 11 million people.

To donate, click here. (*The Canadian Government will be matching donations)

For more info check out MCC's "East Africa drought response"

MCC's Latin America Advocacy

For regular updates on MCC's advocacy work in Latin America, check out this blog: http://lacaadvocacy.wordpress.com/

Go Big... or Go Small (or anywhere in between, really).

If you haven't already heard...

MCC Ontario has entered the Watt's Next video contest to win a 10kW solar panel (valued at $70,000!) and all we have to do to win... is WATCH IT.  Easy.  

Most views = WIN.

We have until September 24 to rack up as many views as we can so please:
1) Watch this video a couple times a day every day until Sept 24th. When you get sick of my voice, please utilize the mute button (I love that mute button).
 2) Share this video on your facebook pages, blogs, and email lists to any and all ... and encourage them to do step 1)

 MCCO is committed to caring for our creation and winning this solar panel would really help put a boost to our eco-initiatives ... already we're doing a lot of small things:
- biking to work
- installing programmable thermostats
- utilizing the green bins (one of the very few companies in Waterloo Region to have one!)

It has never been easier to REALLY help out MCC... no work, no donations, no volunteer hours... all it takes is a bunch of clicking and sharing.

Thank you all!

Young Adult Volunteer Opportunities with MCC

Want to get involved with MCC?  Click on the image below and try out this great new tool to help you find your fit.  Search according to the various criteria at the top of the webpage.

Welcome an IVEPer

International Volunteer Exchange Program (IVEP) is a a vocational and cultural exchange program that connects international young adults with host families and volunteer placements in Canada and U.S.

To learn more, watch this video and check out the website.

I'm loaded. It's official.

Based on my annual income, I found out I'm in the top 3% percent of the most wealthy people in the world [Global Rich List].  Oops.  How did that happen?  I always thought I was "middle class", middle of the road, doing okay...

The Global Rich list provides perspective.

It is easy to find ways of making money disappear, then to assume that we don’t have much.  It's to easy to compare myself to the 3% of the people in the world that have more than I do.  But, as Scotiabank's tagline says, "You are richer than you think."  [Banks will say that sort of thing so that you borrow and spend more – good for them, not so much for you.  But you are most likely richer than you think].  Just because you don't have any money in the bank account doesn't mean you aren't rich.  It might just mean you spend too much, or don't make good financial decisions.

You want to know something crazy (besides me being in the top 3% of the wealthiest people on earth)?  Research has shown that the wealthier I am, the less money I am likely to give in proportion to my income[1] (likely connected to the problem of comparing myself to the 3% that have more, not recognizing how wealthy I am).


I wonder if a early step towards being generous requires accepting that I have more income that 97% of the world.  Looks like its official: I'm loaded.

**************

I just read a recent stat that claims Canadians give 0.73% of our income.  Less than one percent?

I think it is time that we start giving.  For real.  I am going to pick a random number that feels like it is achievable, reasonable, and biblical.  Let's say 10%.  What would it look like if Christians in Canada gave 10% of their incomes.  Well, in fact, it would look like many, many, many billion dollars.

What would it look like if Mennonites (MWC members) gave 10%?  There are about 135,000 of us in Canada.  Multiply that by 10% of the per capita Canadian income of $43,000 and you get $580,500,000.  That is more than half a billion dollars.  To put that into context, If Canadian Mennonites gave 10% of their income, they could support the worldwide ministry of Mennonite Central Committee 7 times over. [Don't quote me or pay too much attention to the exact numbers here, this wasn't a scientific study...this was only to make a point].

How rich are you?  Find out at http://www.globalrichlist.com/.

How close are you to giving 10%?

---

[1] Sider, Ronald.  The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience.  2005. Page 20.  The research was focused on giving patterns of church members in the US over a 30 year period.

Two kinds of people...

"There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, in the end, 'Thy will be done.’ ” 


~ C.S Lewis

Doing development: Ideal vs. Reality

By: Miriam Papps

The Leaving Eden Series: The One

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn1t5Jyn3pQ]

I really do like Brandon Heath – his music, that is. He's cute too, but that's not the point. He comes across as a real person and doesn't sugarcoat following God while living in a broken world.

After hearing this song however, I asked myself: does it really just take one to turn this all around? I am skeptical. I do believe we need The One (Jesus) to help us, but thinking of ourselves as single people who can change this world I think is slightly unrealistic. Let me try to explain.

I recently came back from Colombia, serving with the first 'round' of MCC's SEED program. SEED focuses on education, service and advocacy in a 2 year MCC term (http://seed.mcc.org). This program is unique in many ways.  I was part of a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and theologically diverse team from 5 different countries and had a unique 3-month orientation to Colombia – its politics, economics, the state of the churches there, and the social situation and ongoing armed conflict. After the 3 months, we divided up and each went to a different church or community across the country. We served individually with a local community or congregation, then met every 3 months to reflect on these experiences and deepen our understanding of community development, peacebuilding and advocacy in Colombia and in our home countries.

All this sounds pretty neat? I think so. It was a very grounding experience, but throughout the 2 years, my expectations didn't match up with the reality 'on the ground'. Perhaps a few examples would help:

Engaging in Politics

This is the first election that I have been involved with in any real capacity other than voting.


Among other things, I spent a whole lot of time helping to organize an all candidates meeting  on behalf of the 21 Stouffville churches.  Our aim for the All-Candidates Meeting was to provide an information forum to hear where candidates stand on issues of concern to the churches and the local community. This event was an opportunity for the churches and parishes of our community to positively engage the political process.


I would be curious to know what others think: As Christians, is it worthwhile to put a whole bunch of energy into politics?  Or should we use our energy/gifts elsewhere?

Questions for MP candidates of interest to Churches

I helped to organizean all candidates meeting last night in my riding on behalf of the Stouffville Ministerial, which represents the 21 local churches.

Our aim for the All-Candidates Meeting was to provide an information forum (not debate) to hear where candidates stand on issues of concern to the churches and the local community.  We wanted to provide the opportunity for the churches and parishes of our community to positively engage the political process.

Sample election guides produced by Canadian churches***

• Anglican Church of Canada, Key public witness issues in Federal Election
• Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops Federal Election 2011 Guide
• Canadian Council of Churches, Letter to Political Party Leaders / Election Priorities (with responses from LIB, NDP and GRN)
• Church Council on Justice and Corrections, Elections 2011 
• Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Election Kit 2011
• Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, Election Kit 2011
• Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Election Resource 2011
• KAIROS: 2011 Election Kit
• Mennonite Central Committee, Ottawa Office: Questions for Candidates; Government Communications, 2011, 2010 
• Project Ploughshares, Questions for Candidates
• Salvation Army in Canada, Election Issues: 1. Law and Order; 2. Poverty
• United Church of Canada, Federal Election Kit 2011

***This info was compiled by Arnold Neufeldt-Fast and copied from here (don't worry, I created the site so I am allowed...)

"The most terrible poverty..."

“The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved."

— Mother Teresa

Has the environment lost its mojo?

Like my brother Allan RM, I've been watching this election unfold with keen interest. As I take it all in, I can't help but wonder,

What has happened to the environment?

It's no where in the political discourse. NO WHERE.

Since the recession, no one is talking about addressing climate change or protecting natural resources. Conversations about transitioning to a "green" economy have gone missing. Advocates for the rights of those impacted by climate change are basically non-existent. No one is talking about passing on a healthy environment to future generations.

And that annoys me. Big time.


Know what annoys me even more? The environment would be on the political radar IF young people had a stronger voice and voted en masse.

By and large, people under 35 rate the environment as a top political issue, right up there with the economy, tuition fees and health care. But if they don't vote, why would the political parties bother to respond to their demands?

Creation has never needed advocates for sustainability more than today. Will young people demand change today?

The Goals of Biblical Transformation

I am currently taking a course with Dr. Bryant Myers at Fuller Theological Seminary called Development Tools and Practice.

Dr. Myers says the twin goals of biblical transformation are:

1. Changing people: recovering true identity and true vocation
2. Restoring shalom: Just and peaceful relationships

...and he claims, for Christians, these are the goals for both development and evangelism (our works and our words).  I have never really thought about development and evangelism as sharing the same goals.

What do you all think?  Do you agree with the goals?  Do you believe development and evangelism share the same goals?  How do the goals articulated by Myers connect with what MCC envisions: communities worldwide in right relationship with God, one another and creation (taken from MCC's mission statement that you can read here)?

I would be interested in hearing your perspectives - please add your comments below.

And be sure to check out Meyers' book (Walking With the Poor: Principles and Practices of Transformational Development)  It's a good read...

Palm trees line the street

Palm trees line the street, equidistant one from the next.  Pasadena is a beautiful city.

I take the Lake road exit in my borrowed 4x4.  The down-and-out vet stands at the intersection motionless and seemingly emotionless – the same scene at 2:30pm the day before.

A $20 bill burns a hole in my pocket so I roll down the window and wave to get his attention.  He starts toward me with such a jump, but – oh, how I wished then he wouldn’t have fallen – now he is laying with dry lips kissing the dirt on the ground a few paces away.

He struggles to get up slowly but surely, red-faced with shame, knowing the light will change any second – and with it his chances of getting the crumpled bill in my hand.

“How are you doing?” I ask foolishly. 

“It’s the damn leukemia.”

The light changes and cars behind me inch forward so I move along.

Palm trees line the street, equidistant one from the next.  Pasadena is a beautiful city.

A Pledge

My church started pledging a few years ago. Pledging is a process where each family, household or giving unit is asked to complete a form indicating how much money they expect to give in the coming year. Churches can use it to plan their budget so they don’t spend significantly more or less than people expect to give – less likely to have a surprise surplus or deficit!

I’m on the finance committee now and I know that pledging helps the committee plan the annual budget. But the more interesting piece was the effect pledging had on my husband and me. Pledging forced us to go home and actually think and talk about how much we gave to the church.

Money is the last big taboo. We’re pretty silent about incomes, giving, saving debt and spending, even amongst family and close friends. We did talk about money in our house but I don’t really recall any conversations about giving, at least not until the pledging card showed up in our church mailbox. Once home, we set aside some time to look at our income and talk about what we felt we should be giving and what we could be giving. We ended up giving a lot more than we had previously, all because of a card and a conversation.

We’ve also set an annual target giving amount and, if it’s not all out by end of November, we sit and figure out where it’s going to go before the end of the year. It’s kind of fun to have some extra giving money available to meet needs and opportunities that arise.

What about you? Have you ever really thought about giving? Do you give already?  Have you ever talked about it?

T-shirt order form

Want one?  Choose your size and colour below by Monday April 11th.  Shirts will be available by April 18th (2 weeks before the election).

Here is a quick summary of the feedback on t-shirt concepts (see yesterdays post):

-59 people responded
-53 of you liked the concepts
-71% liked the 2nd option best
-75% said you would wear a shirt
-84% said you would pay for it

See my favorite comments/suggestions below... (thanks to all of you for sharing your thoughts!)

Allan's Favorite Comments/Suggestions

Call me dumb but I didn't immediately get the 'people are dying to' message.  i could read it, but i didn't get right away that you were speaking of the millions of voteless, voiceless ppl around the world who are literally dying for their chance to vote... a powerful message but not very clear...

I am glad you are encouraging this.  I think the primary danger of all the political nonsense that goes on leading up to elections is that it discourages people, particularly the young, from participating in the process.

PPLRDYING2? What does this have to do with the upcoming elections? I would support something like PPL POWER or YYA POWER but not PPLRDYING2.

MCC has a long tradition as a non-governmental organization and Anabaptists have long advocated the separation of church and state and I don't think it is a wise use of MCC resources and staff energy to promote this governmental exercise.  I also think it is an important clarification that people around the world are not dying to vote, but they are dying for freedom.  Sometimes voting is the path by which freedom is achieved, but often various part of the democratic process (candidate selection, voter eligibility, vote counting, announcing of results, other nations respecting your results, etc) are so corrupted that it's difficult to call that freedom.  All of our options represent parties that will maintain our freedom, and unfortunately all of our viable options are immature partisan hacks.  Also, coercing people to vote is the opposite of freedom.

While I think the message is very important and certainly intend to vote and encourage all my friends to do the same, I am not sure if another tshirt in my closet is the way to get it out... I allready have a lot of T-shirts to be honest.

Would the t-shirts be fairly traded/organic material? If so, I would imagine it would be difficult to sell for 5 or 8 dollars...

Sorry, I don't get the relevance of the phrase: ""PPLRDYING2" Not in an Canadian leadership campaign, anyway.

Great concept, Allan!  It's alarming sometimes to think that people die trying to change or escape their political situations in other countries, only to get to Canada and see how little we care about our own government. As young adults we're told constantly that we're the future of the country... it's time we stepped up and acted like it.

So if I vote will people stop dying?

VOTE: PPL R DYING 2

I think everyone should get out and vote on May 2nd. So much so that I would like to produce some t-shirts that encourage people to vote.

Here are some initial ideas.  Let me know what you think...

VOTE May 2nd!

Regardless of who you vote for, VOTE on May 2nd.


In 2008, Canada witnessed its lowest voter turnout in the history of federal elections (click on this link to see an overview of Voter Turnout at Federal Elections and Referendums, 1867-2008).  What you will find is that less than 60% of eligible electors voted.

page 7 of this report by elections Canada

Not sure if it was the turkey dinner from the night before weighing us down on the couch, but BOO.  


We can do better than that.




In particular, the under 35 crowd must get our act together.  In 2008, the 25-35 range was under 50%.  And only 37% of youth aged 18-24 voted.


On the other side of the world people our age are using social media to start political revolutions.


Here, we are using social media to...


Sorry I am back.  I was just checking facebook status updates.  My friend just finished eating breakfast: Cheerios this morning.

Making Homelessness & Poverty Real To Youth

Check out this video about MCC Ontario's TOOLS program that was produced for 100 Huntley Street by Bridget Antwi.

The Prodigal Trilogy

http://www.jasonhildebrand.com/prodigal_trailer.htm

You are Invited: Thrift Fashion Show!

When?
Monday, April 4th, 7pm.

Where? 
Bingeman's Park, Marshall Hall

Why is this awesome? - All proceeds go to MCC's Circle of Friends program, to help end the cycle of homelessness.  Also, you get to see your friends from Thrift and MCC strut their stuff on stage.  This will be very embarrassing for most (at least for me!), therefore, fun for you.

What else is awesome? - Everything is on sale!  You can literally buy the clothes off our backs.

How are tickets? - $20!  Consider it a donation and you won't think twice!

Also, this shirt will be on sale:




Hope to see you all there - we want to pack this place out.  Bring your friends, family, neighbours etc... it's for all ages!

It could never happen at home: Reflections on Japan.

Humanitarian aid. Relief agencies. State of emergency.  These are not things I have ever associated with modern Japan as I know it.
To be brutally honest, there's a part of me that believed that humanitarian disasters only happen in so-called 'developing countries' or places of tumult and war; places where non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have set up shop: World Vision, Oxfam... and MCC.   But a humanitarian disaster could never happen at home.  And for me, Japan is my second home - where my parents grew up, where my wonderful aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents still live, where I worked and played for three years after university.  Japan is a stable, prosperous, modern society; moreover, one that has invested more than most nations into preparing for just such disasters.

In my mind, Japan was off-limits to humanitarian crises.

And then I woke up on the morning of Friday March 11 to see on the news what we all saw.

Quietly Generous

It wasn’t until after my grandfather died that the family learned all the ways he’d helped folks. Grandpa was pretty easy going and quiet, a very gentle and fun presence in my life. During WWII he was farming full-time and hired a few of the local men that didn’t want to leave their young families, paying them with meat, milk and eggs. The farm wasn’t big enough to need any hired hands, let alone 2 or 3, but he understood wanting to avoid the war and stay home with your family.

He would occasionally stop by a family that was living hand-to-mouth a couple roads over - a single mom with a bunch of little kids to feed and clothe - and convince them to take a box of meat saying it was too much for his freezer and would just go bad. They’d be helping him out if they could use it. (One of the children remembered thinking my grandpa wasn’t very smart since he seemed to have the same problem with extra meat over and over!)

Still others had stories of loans with no interest and no repayment schedule or pressure. Questions were about how their venture was going and how the family was doing rather than when the loan would be repaid. He had a genuine interest in helping enable people look after their families.

Grandpa never talked to any of his children or grandchildren about how or why he did these things. He was a young adult when the great depression happened and he understood making do and doing without.

We weren’t surprised by what he’d done but we were surprised by the volume of stories and people whose lives had been changed by his generosity. His trust and faith in people and his interest in quietly helping improve lives is a story that lives on in our family. Thanks for your example Grandpa!

World Water Day 2011 - March 22

The Fast Flowing Current of Inequity 

“Why is it always First Nations who are made to wait and put at risk?   Why are we not treated equally; the same as everyone in Canada?”  

Deputy Chief, Gerald Mattinas, Attawapiskat First Nation

As one wades into the murkiness of ‘First Nations and Water’ in Canada, it becomes clear very quickly, that there is a problem.  Health Canada reports close to 125 First Nations across our country that continue to live with boil water advisories; toxins ingested daily through water supplies; while other First Nations are living without any sort of water treatment.

Mennonite Central Committee Ontario (MCCO) continues to paddle upstream with a number of the 28 First Nations in Ontario, one fifth of the communities in Canada, struggling with dirty water.  Much of our work over the past two decades has called MCCO into the middle of crises seeking potable water; Attawapiskat First Nation is a community in trouble, and needs our support.

It was almost a month ago today, that Attawapiskat First Nation, a remote community of over 1,300 members, produced a Press Release warning community members, and others, of the dangerously high levels of Trihalomethane, or THM, detected by Health Canada in their drinking water.  Community members were told that to drink, bathe, shower or even breathe in the steam produced by this water could have dire consequences for the health of all those in community.    

While Bill S-11, ‘An Act Respecting the Safety of Drinking Water on First Nation Lands’, has enjoyed inspiring presentations from more than 20 First Nation leaders and political bodies and water experts, it is now clear that from coast to coast, all have disagreed with Bill S-11.  While the Bill it attempts to establish a national regulatory body around drinking water for First Nations, it fails to stop ‘the dripping tap of complacency’ by not addressing matter of adequate consultation, financial and human resources; infrastructure, and source water protection.  Many are calling for a new process where First Nations are partners in the creation of any such legislation.   

Mennonite Central Committee Ontario continues to listen and advocate with First Nations, hoping the Federal Government will hear the voices of the Aboriginal community, who continue to swim this fast flowing current of inequity.  Recognize World Water Day this year by talking about the inequity of clean water in Canadian First Nations in your community, church family or work place. 

For more info, email Lyndsay: lyndsaymk@mennonitecc.on.ca

"Bill S-11 was developed in isolation.  Let us put it on hold for awhile and review it together to develop something that will work. Then, we can

further the partnership by sitting together to design the regulations."

Grand Chief Stan Louttit, Mushkegowuk Council, Senate Presentation, March 2, 2011

All Creatures Great and Small

The Animal Kingdom amazes me! Last week, I saw an owl for the first time in my life. I was walking through the trees, searching for birds, when all of a sudden, I felt two piercing yellow eyes on me. And looking up, I saw this. This little guy, a Northern Saw-Whet Owl was cozy in the cedars on my Uncle's farm.

It was a humbling experience to see such a small bird, yet with such a strong and quiet power. It almost felt wrong whipping out my camera and invading the Saw-Whet's habitat. His eyes grew wider as I drew closer. That was my cue it was time to leave and let this creature be. But for those few moments of taking in my feathered friend I was up-close and personal with God's awesome animal Kingdom. It also makes me wonder at how long this owl was watching me before I noticed him. And...what other beautiful creatures that we share Creation with do I neglect to notice?

So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

- Genesis 1:21

Was Jesus Tough on Crime?

"[Jesus] was clear about what attitude we should have towards prisoners, an attitude that would make us inclined to visit, understand and forgive them...  I hope we as Mennonites will have the courage to support rehabilitative approaches to offenders, approaches that make sense biblically and practically, rather than fear-based, dead-end toughness." 


Read more from Will Braun on the path our government is taking with regards to fighting crime - one that "has been discredited and abandoned by its two main proponents [US and Britain]."


http://www.canadianmennonite.org/articles/was-jesus-tough-crime


And be sure to learn more about MCC's work for Restorative Justice, which is about Respecting, repairing and restoring relationships that have been damaged through crime.

Strangers

I judged you for watching sweaty men in tights play fight.  Forgetting that plank-eyes often assume much too much, I placed you in a box.  Forgive me.

*****************

We sat on the tarmac waiting.  And restlessness grew for the weary 136 who had to wait.  Waiting is something we hate.  Oft we forget that it is in the waiting times of life (when we are forced to wander from our scheduled existence) that G-d enters in.

[Small talk with Stanger #1.]

“Is this your final destination?”

“Ya, just have to make my way up to Stouffville.”

“North of here, right?”

“Ya, north-east.  The other side of Markham.  You?”

“I live in Mississauga.”

[Enter Stranger #2]

“Sorry to interrupt.  You said you live in Stouffville... about how long does it take to get there from here?”

“About 40 minutes, this time of night.  You heading that way?”

“Maybe.  My sister lives up there and I was thinking of staying the night with her instead of driving all the way home.”

“Well, let me know what you decide.  I’ll chip in for gas or whatever if you will give me a lift.  Otherwise I am paying $80 for a taxi.”

He called his sister and arranged to stay at her place for the night.  I grabbed my bags and heavy winter coat (it was minus 30 in Winnipeg), exited the plane, and walked into the terminal.  Stranger #2 came out a few minutes later carrying his bags and a guitar.  He introduced himself as David.

We waited for his checked bag.  And we waited for the shuttle to the parking lot.  While we waited we talked.

David just moved home a few months ago after a dozen years out west.  His mom died last year so he moved home in December to spend time with his dad.  His dad picked up an infection and died in January.  Now he is early 30-something dealing with death, wills, a house full of stuff to sort through...

We sat in his ‘95 Ford Taurus for the 40 minute ride to Stouffville.  All in all we spent about an hour and a half together.

Isn’t it amazing that we are alive - that there is life?  It’s too bad they don’t teach you about life in school.

We spoke of listening.  Learning to wait.  Meditation.  Living in the present.  Hospitality.  Slowing things down.  Taking life in.

I interrupted a story.  “Can you pull into the gas station so I can fill up the car? I don’t have any cash.”  He drove on past the gas station and continued on about being welcomed once by strangers in a strange land.

A handful of minutes later I was home.  He beat me out the car to hand me my bag from the trunk.  He wouldn’t accept anything.

We are strangers no more.

Summerbridge

Summerbridge is a Canada-wide summer service program of Mennonite Central Committee. The program provides opportunity to bring together people of different cultural backgrounds and equip them to serve in their local church. MCC and local congregations support participants. Affiliation with a Mennonite or Brethren in Christ congregation is required.

Age:  17+

Length:  8 - 16 weeks

Location: your church and community

Application deadline is May 1 each year.

Contact Allan Reesor-McDowell or Cath Woolner if you are interested in the learning more.

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Profile: Rebekah Hudson

Rebekah Hudson, from River of Life MB Church in Riverview, NB, is studying Peace and Conflict Studies at University of Waterloo.  She participated in MCC’s Summerbridge program in 2007.

arm:  How did you get involved with MCC?

Rebekah Hudson: Through volunteering at my church. The Atlantic representatives for MCC at the time, Tom and Judi, told my dad about Summerbridge and he encouraged me to apply. Other than the “To Remember is to Work for Peace” pins, Summerbridge was my first real introduction to MCC’s work around the world.

arm: Why did you participate in the Summerbridge program?

rh:  I wanted to serve my church and Summerbridge was a great way to do that as a full-time summer job.  I did Summerbridge in 2007 and 2008. I worked at my church in two main areas – media/graphic design and children’s ministry. My job was an expanded version of my volunteer work, plus some other responsibilities.  Most days I worked on the website, powerpoint and other media; did any administrative tasks that came up; and organized the weekly children’s programs for the summer when the regular volunteers took a break. This was a challenge because our church is very small - often half the people who attend are kids, and most of the others are parents who also volunteer! My work focused more on kids’ ministry in 2008.

arm: What was the highlight of your experience with Summerbridge?

rh:  The biggest highlight of my Summerbridge experience was our orientation in Winnipeg. All the participants from across Canada came to learn more about Mennonite Central Committee and get to know each other for a few days. We stayed at Canadian Mennonite University, toured the MCC headquarters, volunteered at a food bank depot, went to the North End and experienced the murals and musical culture of the city. This was where I learned about restorative justice, fair trade, conflict resolution strategies and MCC’s relief and development work for the first time. Learning about alternative ways to solve these major problems ignited my passion for peace and justice that led to my choice to pursue a degree in Peace and Conflict Studies at Waterloo a few years later. I also met some incredible people during my few days in Winnipeg. Although I haven’t kept in touch with everyone, I still think about and pray for them often.

arm:  How was Summerbridge part of your faith journey?

rh:  Summerbridge was also a major growing time for me spiritually. I still look back at the orientation as a very significant time, but I also learned a lot in my two summers of work. I had a lot of opportunities to learn patience. I also discovered that working to serve others often consists of everyday, monotonous tasks that must be done. Having my dad as my direct supervisor took some getting used to, but we both learned so much about working together in that time. I also learned a lot about how to work with children, plan events and recruit volunteers. These experiences helped me later in jobs at an office and a kids’ drop-in centre. Overall, Summerbridge was a major learning experience for me!

arm:  What are you hoping to do in the future?

rh:  I don’t know yet, but I’d like to experience life in a different country soon. Something that involves working with kids and young people for human rights would be amazing, but right now I’m open to wherever God brings me.  Summerbridge was an amazing experience that helped shape the direction my life is heading now. If you get a chance to participate in this program or any other MCC experience, I definitely recommend it.

Upcoming Internships with MCC!

Just wanted to let you all know about the amazing internship opportunities available with MCC this summer.

Some 2010 MCC Ontario interns

The following are with MCC Ontario.  Applications due February 25th:

Enlace Leader

TOOLS Program Assistant

Refugee Engagement Strategist

Ottawa Office - (pplications due March 1st

MCC United Nations Office - Applications due April 15th

Let me know of you have any questions: allanrm@mennonitecc.on.ca

Rock, Paper, Awesome event!

On Saturday, Feb. 5, I was treated to one of those wonderful experiences that anyone who has ever planned an event prays for: exceeded expectations.  The event in question was a gathering of young people from four Kitchener-Waterloo area churches: First Hmong Mennonite Church, Chin Christian Church, First Mennonite Church, and Grace Lao Mennonite Church.

Q: What do these churches have in common?

A: They all have teens and young adults that inspire me and make my job so enjoyable.
Also: They are all part of congregations whose members came as new Canadians, either as immigrants or refugees within the last 30 years or so.
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So, back to the exceeded expectations.  First of all, we had close to 60 participants - our initial optimistic estimates were 50? MAX?  And the energy they brought with them!  Well.

Exhibit A) A group of youth walk in the doors of Grebel, all rockin' the youthful daring fashion that I am too old for.  I welcome them:

"Hi guys, welcome!  Where are you from?" I meant what church are you coming from.

Lead guy with spiky hair: [with broad smile] "We're from Burma!  Where's the bathroom?"

And it only got better from there. 

Enter Felipe Gonzalia, former-fellow-intern at MCCO this summer and youth leader at First Mennonite.  Check out this video for a glimpse of the joyful madness that ensued when Felipe started working the crowd with an epic game of Rock, Paper, Scissors.  See if you can spot our Executive Director Rick Cober-Bauman in the mix.  Not since attending the Summit in which MCC's governance structure was discussed did Rick find such energy.



The rest of the afternoon and evening featured can best be captured in photos:

Packing Health Kits and knotting quilts for MCC's relief aid shipments.  Big thank-you to Material Resources coordinator Wendy Cotter for taking the time to show us how it's done.

 Fellas with cool hats learning how addictive knotting can be.

 Thla and crew from Chin Christian Church pack health kits.

Rick Cober Bauman getting in on the knotting.

 Went outside to load our boxes and lo! It had snowed a foot since we started.

 "You may think this string is ugly but to me, it was the string that held my life."

Lee Vang from First Hmong Mennonite Church holding the bag that contained a school kit ... that she received in a refugee camp 31 years ago in Thailand. More on this moving and remarkable story here.

The wonderful energy carried through with a tour of Grebel and ended with a delicious dinner prepared by the famous Grebel kitchen staff.  There are no photos of this because I was busy eating, thank you.  

I will end this post with the words of a participant who posted on the wall of the facebook event afterwards and really sums up well the energy and general feelings of the day:

Soooo amazing!!!!! Looooved it!!!!!
Can't wait for next time! Hope to see everyone there!
Really fun! People who didn't come you missed out yo!!!! Come out next time!!!!

[Ken Ogasawara works with MCC Ontario as the social media guy and the connecting with immigrant/first-generation churches guy.]