Sonshine All Day, Every Day, and All Around
By Devorah Kim, Outreach Worker in Flemingdon Park
It has been such a blessing to be able to serve with Toronto City Missions and watch how much the kids at Flemingdon Park can learn and grow throughout the year. Sonshine Day Camp was packed with a lot of fun activities that allowed the kids to truly be free in their identity – a quiet girl who actually had the funniest laugh, a shy boy who turned out to be one of the loudest, a cute and energetic 5 year old that turned out to be the feistiest of them all, and a twelve year old pre-teen who was just trying to figure things out – like many of us.
These are only a few example of how unique each and every single one of our campers were. They all brought different questions, different struggles, and different colours to the camp, which brightened up every day with something new to learn from each other, including all the leaders, volunteers and staff. As Sonshine Day Camp has come to an end, we have now transitioned into our after-school programs and came to the realization that the kids who will not be joining us throughout the school year has left a great big empty presence – their innocent, curious, and bright hearts continues to shine on.
This reminds me of how important it is for us to cherish every moment with every child, and continue to step into boldness – to be the Salt and Light of the world, just as every single camper has left their own unique flavor behind despite their own brokenness. As we now are in our second week of after-school programs, I am excited to see how God will use every single one of us and what He has in store for Flemingdon Park. Let us all be reminded to take a leap of faith despite our inadequacies, whether that is in the workplace, at school, or even in your own community and shine on boldly!
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. -Matthew 5:14-16