I know we have very mixed feelings about battle metaphor these days. It comes with a lot of baggage, and I think that’s legitimate. But there are times when I just have to keep reminding myself over and over again that this is war.

It’s been one of those weeks where I have to remember that kingdoms are things that you fight for. Things are not always as black and white as we would like them to be, but we all need to have something that, when we get right down to it, is our compass, our one thing we would fight to the death for. It’s part of what makes us human I think. For some people it’s something that sounds noble, like politics or family or ideas or leadership or art. Sometimes our “greatest good” is just ourselves, and sometimes it’s the very idea that there is no black and white. But everyone has something that they fight for.

As Jesus-followers, we’ve been given something deep and meaningful to spend our lives fighting for. And as an urban mission worker, I’ve been given a very specific neighbourhood to fight this battle within.

I was reminded again this week of what the battle is about. At least part of it.

Last week some of the moms in Willowtree started a weekly breakfast program. It’s exciting, because even though some of our placement students were instrumental in getting the ball rolling, it’s the moms who are running this program for their own community. We love to see this happen. It’s a God-thing when people work together to realize their own potential to create positive change.

This week, someone broke into the basement program space and took all the food for the breakfast club, leaving behind the remains of a low-key party, reeking of smoke and weed.

As frustrating as it is, especially right in the middle of a busy April, it’s a good reminder for me. As I swept up the garbage and mopped up spilled juice, I thought about what the mom who found the mess told me the police had said: “It was probably a bunch of bored teenagers.”

Ah yes. That’s why I’m here. In hopes that the bored teenagers can think of something better to do than break the law.

When I wrote my to-do list for the rest of the week, I entitled it “This is War”. Not that it’s war against whoever did this. Honestly, I’m over that, and God continues to provide. But this is war against kids growing up to make these kinds of decisions. I want the kids I’m working with to be stronger than that. And I want to do more than teach them to say “No” when ideas like this come up. I want to give them something worth saying “Yes” to, something worth devoting their whole life to, so that they’re so busy being the people God has called them to be that they can’t be bothered with something as petty as this.

My black and white, my compass, my truth that I will fight to the death for is this: By the grace of God, we can be changed. Sometimes I just need to be reminded.

For more stories like this visit our blog at:  http://torontocitymission.wordpress.com

David…

On the day of the lesson on forgiveness, Darryl picked the kids up at school.  He caught two boys, David and Charles*, throwing snow at each other and horsing around.  Because they were still at the school yard, Darryl pulled the boys into the Principal’s office and administrator arrange for them to meet with the Principal the following day.  It was a quiet walk back to KIC as both boys gave Darryl the silent treatment. 

 At KIC the bible lesson was about forgiveness.   Directly after the lesson, David approached Darryl to say that he was sorry. Darryl had the opportunity to enact the lesson and express forgiveness.

ROD…

Elita recalls sitting next to Rod*, one of the gr. 6 boys at KIC.

 “After the lesson, which he had sporadically been paying attention to amidst smirks and mischievous laughter, he turned, punched me in the arm and laughed saying, “You have to forgive me for that!”

I could feel it in my arm. It didn’t hurt, but I could feel it. I gave him a lecture but his grin barely fizzled. I thought back to this event weeks later and wondered if I had let him off too easy…I wondered if he took anything whatsoever from the lesson.

Well, [a few days later] Tuesday, I was walking with Rod and his friend Keith* to KIC. Keith was arguing that humans have powers like Superman. Rod vehemently disagreed. He turned to me in an appeal, “Do humans have powers?” he asked.

“Well, humans have powers,” I replied, “but not SUPER powers.”

“Yeah Keith,” he turned to his pal, “Humans have the power to forgive and stuff, you bum!”

 He turned to me, “Right?”

 Right. Power of forgiveness. Glad to know something stuck.”

 * names have been changed

When we first met Ted** in July, he had moved to Canada recently from China.  English was absolutely incomprehensible to him at the time.  Today he understands most of the English conversation during KIC afterschool program and is able to talk with us in simple English sentences.  When I sat down with him to ask him the secret of his improvement, he mentioned that the positive environment at Day Camp helped him to feel optimistic about this new country.  Our small group ESL and EPIC tutoring program make feel more comfortable using the language.  His weekly prayer request as KIC has been that he would be able to speak English more fluently.  He realizes that God has answered his prayer!

* Quotes from The City of Toronto Backgrounder “2006 Census Update on Social Risk Factor’s in the City’s 13 Priority Neighbourhoods.

**Name has been changed

Since the beginning of January, a placement student, Luisa has been teaching Bible lessons for a group of grade 1-3 children at the KIC program in Malvern.  One of the lessons focused on how God made each and every one of them special and wonderful.  It emphasized that God loves them very much because they are all precious to Him. 

A couple of days later, the most amazing thing happened!  One of the little girls shared the following story with Luisa during their homework time,   “A little boy in school today told me that I am ugly, but I said to him, ‘No, I believe that God has made me beautiful!’”  

WOW, I was just so in awe of what I heard.  It was truly amazing to see how a Bible lesson came to life through this little girl.  And that our effort of sharing and teaching God’s truth made a difference in the life a child.  The best part was that she was not afraid to proclaim it.  We as adults can learn so much from the courage and pure faith of this little girl.  What an encouragement this was to us!

On September 29, 2011 we had the privilage of celebrating the success of 14 women who worked extremely hard to obtain their high school diplomas in order to provide a brighter future for themselves and their children!  These moms attended the Role Model Moms program run by Toronto City Mission in the Jane-Finch Community.

Role Model Moms started 4 years ago under the direction of Toronto City Mission’s staff member Jil Koller, this program was supported by World Vision and the Jane-Finch Church Coalition.

Emily Slotegraaf was hired a year later and is now the lead teach for the Role Model Moms Ministry.  She is a certified teacher and has been the personal mentor to over 30 moms.  She brings her technical teaching skills, but most importantly her heart for ministry to this critically important program.  Overwhelmingly the participants have stated that it is Emily’s heart and commitment that have resulted in their success.

Approximately two years ago Toronto City Mission stepped in to help strengthen the program and World Vision agreed to extend their support until the program was stabilized and capable of securing funding for the future.  It was also around this time that Pastor Bill Sunberg of Ephraim’s Place opened their doors to host the program.  They provide a classroom, a childcare room and of course they are a huge support to Emily. 

World Vision, Ephraim’s Place, Jane-Finch Church Coalition and Peoples Church have made it possible for Role Model Moms to work in the Jane-Finch Community and to date have helped over 28 women obtain there high school diplomas!

And because of a new partnership with The Sprott Foundation and The Meeting House many more moms will have the opportunity to bring hope to their families and to work towards obtaining their GED.

By Jennifer Perry (Community Worker – St. James Town)

So many times we underestimate children. We assume that we have to “dumb down” the Bible, or that they will not understand the seemingly advanced concepts of salvation and sanctification.

The more I work with children, the more I realize that in many ways children have a better grasp of God than we do. We tend to complicate our faith by focusing on so many side issues. For too many of us, as we get older we forget the simple truth of the gospel.

I often assumed that children would not have a deep under-standing of God until they were older and more mature. Recently, God shattered those assumptions.

For over a month, we had been focusing on the apostle Peter and his journey with Jesus. We looked at his life and how he changed because of knowing Jesus. We emphasized the transforming power of the Holy Spirit and the incredible difference it made in Peter’s life.

One day, I was teaching them the lesson about Peter and John healing a crippled beggar. I asked the kids how was it that suddenly Peter and John were able to do this miraculous act. Allan, one of our boys in grade 2 answered “It was because of the Holy Spirit. The same power that Jesus had to heal made them be able to heal the crippled beggar.”

I was completely shocked at his answer. I then asked, “What was the difference between how Peter used to be, to how he was now?” Allan answered by saying, “I think that Peter was a lot more like Jesus now.”

I praised God to hear those words coming from a boy in grade 2. Clearly, God was moving in this child’s life. He completely understood these concepts that some older Christians still do not fully comprehend.

I now understand what Jesus meant when he said that you must be like a little child to enter into the Kingdom of God.

Now she can see beyond the tinsel and shiny wrapping paper

(From the Desk of Linda Baartse – Executive Director – Pregnancy Care Centre)

Hers is a sad history of neglect, absent parents, and sexual abuse.  She described all the men in her life as presents with attractive tinsel and shiny wrapping paper only to find empty boxes when the paper was torn away.  She came to Canada to start a new, successful life for herself.  One day all her hopes were crushed when she discovered herself to be pregnant.  Her boyfriend disappeared.  She panicked.  As a newcomer with no family, few friends and hardly any money she considered abortion because she didn’t know what to do.  Something inside of her said ‘no’ and a friend told her she could get support from the Pregnancy Care Center.

We enjoyed fast friendship with this delightful young woman.  During those early weeks she would come in or call sometimes 3 or 4 times a day.  As we helped her prepare for the birth of her baby, she looked for ways to brighten up our day.   She considered us her family.  Through PCC friends she received used baby clothes, baby furniture, and diapers.  She was always advocating for other women she met who were in difficult circumstances and sharing the little she had to make their lives easier.

As a child she went to church and during those difficult days of pregnancy she found comfort in Psalm 27.  She enjoyed having it read to her and spending time in prayer with others at the Centre.  We watched her faith begin to blossom as she came to trust in Christ for the forgiveness of her sins and for the wisdom she needed to be a good mother.  And she indeed became a loving, caring, and attentive mother.  Her baby boy became the joy of her life.  Once she developed a routine for her little one, she became one of our office volunteers who encouraged other pregnant moms.

Like hothouse plants are initially cared for in a protected environment, our newly blossomed mom needed to be grounded beyond the PCC.  How thankful we were for partnership with the Jane and Finch Church Coalition.  They connected her to Toronto City Mission’s “Role Model Moms” program.  We were so proud to hear about her progress in working toward her high school diploma.   This mom, so dear to us, continued to be lovingly cared for and connected with the church community in her area. In a short time, she no longer had time to call us as frequently, as she was busy with school, her growing baby, church, and new friends. 

How beautiful the work of the local church when it provides a safe refuge for moms and their children who have been battered along the way.  Our vision is to partner with many more churches and Christian Agencies throughout Toronto who are willing to compassionately help those in unexpected pregnancies.  We thank God for those who have received First Response training and who are forming pregnancy support teams in their churches to extend help to our clients. 

Family background and childhood history do not ultimately determine life outcomes.  Lives are being changed through the powerful name of our Lord Jesus Christ.   Pray with us that together as concerned Christians that Toronto will be a safer and healthier place for the unborn, their moms, and her whole family.

While other TLCs struggle to jump in and help at KIC (our after school program),  Matthew knows exactly what to do.  During free time, he is already playing with the kids.  He is always willing to help and never has to be asked to do something – he just takes initiative.  

A moment that demonstrated his maturity and leadership skills was when he saw a new child at KIC and observed that no one was letting him play with them.  This 13 year old TLC went to talk to the group of kids and proceeded to teach them how to include people who are new to the program. It is because other people have invested in him that he is able to help others. 

It is stories like Matthew’s that encourage us to continue “giving so others can give”!

Article By Madeleine Smith (Year Long Intern)

Janie*, a young single mother with a 3-year-old daughter living in Jane-Finch, was at a turning point in her life.  She had just moved in with her boyfriend when he pressured her to deal drugs to help cover the rent. The future was not looking very promising for Janie or her child.

It was at this very low point that Janie gained the determination to make a better life for herself and her daughter. So she enrolled in the Role Model Moms program organized by TCM staff member Emily Slotegraaf. This program aims to equip single moms like Janie with the academic confidence and life skills needed to successfully complete the Government of Ontario’s high school equivalency exam. Janie was determined to receive her diploma and forge a better life for her family. She gave up the drug dealing and focused her energy on her studies. Six months later, Janie graduated.

Around the same time, Janie discovered she was pregnant again and she turned to Emily for guidance. Emily was able to give her advice for her future, and share with Janie about the power of Jesus Christ to save. Janie has an ongoing relationship with Emily that has continued beyond her participation in the Role Model Moms program. Janie is now considering finding a church to attend.

   * name changed

*names have been changed