Kingdom Matters
mercy Rises with
manitoba flood waters
this spring, as the banks of the red
river swelled with rain and melt-
ing snow, the immediate response
of churches across manitoba was to help
ward off what was expected to be the
province’s worst flood in 100 years.
having learned from the floods of
1997, churches were quick to rise up and
demonstrate the mercy of Christ to those
in need.
“we go in to serve,” says Bill adams,
who oversaw a response for the Chris-
tian reformed world relief Committee
(CrwrC) and its disaster response service
in both Canada and the united states.
adams has no problem encouraging
volunteers to “put down their hammers
and take the time to testify to their faith”
if the opportunity arises, he says, “but
ultimately we go in to serve.”
Jacob Kramer directs the CrwrC relief team from Burlington, ont. he says
“it’s quite natural for churches to get involved. in Canada and the united states,
we have 2,000 active volunteers trained
in project management and rebuilding
houses, so that is part of our outreach in
the communities.”
The salvation army Emergency disaster services was also active in initiating a local fundraising campaign as well
as performing recovery operations such
as sandbagging, cleanup and home
restoration.
“it is amazing to come together for
the common good of the community and
make connections with strangers over a
30-pound bag of sand,” says salvation
army cadet melissa mailman.
Joining the army cadets and officers
were volunteers from the mennonite
disaster services. Kerry Eidse, manitoba
unit director for mds, can now look back
with satisfaction. “Before the flood, there
was sandbagging help. during the flood,
we helped people with properties – boating them in and out, and helping them
cope with problems. There has also been
some cleanup help.”
some 200 houses were damaged.
Thanks to the preparation exhibited by
both sides of the border, says adams,
“it’s nothing compared to what it could
have been.” n –EMILY WIERENGA
Love on Toronto’s Spadina Ave.
For close to 70
years the Scott
Mission has
been a presence in
downtown Toronto,
ministering in the
name of Christ to the
needs of those who are
poor, homeless, abandoned and vulnerable.
Founded in 1941 by a
Polish immigrant, the
non-denominational
mission has remained
committed to its original vision.
In addition to
providing hundreds
of hot meals each day,
running a food bank
that serves more than
40,000 people each
year, providing free
clothing and toys,
and running a men’s
shelter, the mission
also runs a low-cost
day-care program, an
after-school program
for at-risk youth, a
summer camp north
of Toronto for women
A family receives bags of
and their children,
groceries to take home.
and a retreat centre
ThE sCo TT mission
in Collingwood. (The retreat overlook- are not barriers to receiving assistance,
ing Georgian Bay was donated to give the mission remains unapologetically
clients rest and respite from the city.) Christian in its message.
Services provided also include Sun- “Underlying all this, we want to
day worship, Bible study and prayer make sure people see Jesus,” says Peter
groups in English, Spanish and Fili- Duraisami, director of ministries. “God
pino, a coffee shop, bingo, drop-in is doing some amazing things in the lives
centre, foot clinic, primary health care, of so many broken people. I’ve been
identification clinic, shower and laun- here for 20 years. I’ve seen an increase
dry facilities, budgeting and financial in people wanting to know the Lord.”
assessments, income tax clinic, hous- The mission ( www.scottmission.
ing application assistance, visitation com) employs 160 full-time and part-and day trips. time staff and is funded mainly through
The Scott Mission has served people donations. It is an affiliate of The Evan-from more than 130 ethnic backgrounds. gelical Fellowship of Canada.
