Our Grade 9 students had a chance to serve at various ministries in Toronto from May 18th – 20th. This was a valuable opportunity to display love to our neighbours in downtown Toronto through simple acts of service. It was eye-opening for them as they encountered people with different life experiences. According to one of our teachers, Miss Kim, “we sought to serve the vulnerable population in our city, as the Bible calls us to, such as the poor, immigrants, and so on.” Our students served at the following ministries:
The Gr. 9 Service Trip was an endeavour of the entire senior school, as a $2 Non-Uniform Day was held to collect donations to support these ministries and donations of toiletry items were collected for refugees of Adam House.
During the trip, our students were able to meet some refugees, some like Bosa, who arrived not long ago, and some like Heldon, who came to Canada many years ago and now is part of the staff at Adam House. Our students were also able to participate in a street walk led by the Salvation Army. Our students were very engaged and asked a number of of questions about how people become homeless and how our society views and treats those experiencing homelessness. We were thankful to know this experience gave them greater empathy towards those in need. The students noted that we should be thankful that God placed us in loving families that cared for our needs and supported us. This was not something we had control over, just as many who are now homeless did not have control over the families and circumstances they were placed in which led to them becoming homeless. The students also noted that doing justice and mercy is a command from God. We are not honouring God if we do not love the least of these brothers of ours.
Day 1: We took our Gr. 9 students to serve at The Gateway, a shelter of Salvation Army. I was so proud of them who willingly made beds, swept floors and mopped walls to make homeless people feel a little better during their stay at the shelter! Jesus said, “As you did it to one of the least of these brothers, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:40
Day 2: We took the Gr. 9 students to Adam House, a refugee welcome centre. Our students continued scrubbing, mopping, sorting, cleaning and cutting. They were a little tired, but things were completed in sonic speed! May the refugees enjoy their refreshing living area!
Day 3: We took the Gr. 9 students to Scott Mission food bank and clothing drive for our last day of service. Students and teachers were very tired, but we saw there was great poverty in this city.
We are fortunate to have family and friends to go to if things happen. Unfortunately, there are so many people with nowhere to go when unexpected things happen. They end up living on the streets or relying on charities. It requires a lot of manpower to run a charity. Donate your time to serve in a charity for God’s justice and mercy and you will see Jesus’ heart there.
