Friday, January 2, 2009
Temple Tours
During our time in Vancouver we had the opportunity to visit three temples and receive a brief introduction on their faiths. It was exciting and interesting to learn about the core values and practices of these traditions.
Impact Vancouver Day
Rylie, Brent, Sean, Caroline, and Kelsey
Today we had a project called impact Vancouver day, which made it sound really intimidating. As a group we were pretty much told that today we were to be creative and do something to impact Vancouver… now that seemed kind of scary and pretty intense and as a group we were left thinking how can we do something to actually impact Vancouver.
We sat in a coffee shop pondering ideas and we came up with a few good ones we could run with but we decided on one, which we did and it turned out so well. What we did was take papers, fold them up like little letters and we wrote on the front of them and we wrote on the front of them “show love” then inside was an encouraging quote, or a saying, or a joke, or the idea of people opening it and treating themselves and someone else to coffee. We wrote on the back of them “you are loved”, and then we stuck them all into little envelopes and on the front of the envelopes wrote, “this is for you”. Once we finished creating our plan we put it into action, and it was so exciting!
We had decided earlier that we wanted to do something on the trains and so once we were all ready we each grabbed a pile of envelopes, which we made a hundred of! Then we headed to the train station bought a two-hour ticket and we hopped on the trains. It was so exciting it felt like secret mission because we were being so sneaky. What we would do was sit down and while we were sitting there put an envelope on the seat, then when the train stopped we would get off and move to another train kart. When we were getting off we would sometimes hand someone an envelope. It was really cool. Some people were confused, some people rejected us, and others were so willing to accept. It was neat to see the people picking up the envelopes that we had secretly lest on the seat. One guy looked at it so long while we were riding on the train, then as he left he discretely picked it up. Which was rather exciting.
Our day was really neat because we just wanted it to be all in Gods hands. We knew in one day we really wouldn’t be able to change Vancouver, but with the help of God we could make someone else’s day or maybe challenge them to think. We like to think that God had a huge hand in giving the envelopes away to the right people. We didn’t know what the envelopes said specifically in each one, so we never knew who was getting what, which we thought was pretty sweet since it was all up to God. And that’s how we decided to impact Vancouver.
Today we had a project called impact Vancouver day, which made it sound really intimidating. As a group we were pretty much told that today we were to be creative and do something to impact Vancouver… now that seemed kind of scary and pretty intense and as a group we were left thinking how can we do something to actually impact Vancouver.
We sat in a coffee shop pondering ideas and we came up with a few good ones we could run with but we decided on one, which we did and it turned out so well. What we did was take papers, fold them up like little letters and we wrote on the front of them and we wrote on the front of them “show love” then inside was an encouraging quote, or a saying, or a joke, or the idea of people opening it and treating themselves and someone else to coffee. We wrote on the back of them “you are loved”, and then we stuck them all into little envelopes and on the front of the envelopes wrote, “this is for you”. Once we finished creating our plan we put it into action, and it was so exciting!
We had decided earlier that we wanted to do something on the trains and so once we were all ready we each grabbed a pile of envelopes, which we made a hundred of! Then we headed to the train station bought a two-hour ticket and we hopped on the trains. It was so exciting it felt like secret mission because we were being so sneaky. What we would do was sit down and while we were sitting there put an envelope on the seat, then when the train stopped we would get off and move to another train kart. When we were getting off we would sometimes hand someone an envelope. It was really cool. Some people were confused, some people rejected us, and others were so willing to accept. It was neat to see the people picking up the envelopes that we had secretly lest on the seat. One guy looked at it so long while we were riding on the train, then as he left he discretely picked it up. Which was rather exciting.
Our day was really neat because we just wanted it to be all in Gods hands. We knew in one day we really wouldn’t be able to change Vancouver, but with the help of God we could make someone else’s day or maybe challenge them to think. We like to think that God had a huge hand in giving the envelopes away to the right people. We didn’t know what the envelopes said specifically in each one, so we never knew who was getting what, which we thought was pretty sweet since it was all up to God. And that’s how we decided to impact Vancouver.
Free Hugs Anyone?
Jordan, Becca, Patrick, Jessica and Ainsley
“Free hugs anyone?” Basically we spent our day in the rain hugging anyone and everyone. We started in a train station holding cardboard signs advertising free hugs. Then we moved to the corners of East Hasting and Main where we also gave out hugs and ended up chatting with a variety of people from different walks of life. We impacted Vancouver by brightening some people’s days and showing that a hug is a universal sign of love.
“Free hugs anyone?” Basically we spent our day in the rain hugging anyone and everyone. We started in a train station holding cardboard signs advertising free hugs. Then we moved to the corners of East Hasting and Main where we also gave out hugs and ended up chatting with a variety of people from different walks of life. We impacted Vancouver by brightening some people’s days and showing that a hug is a universal sign of love.
The Power of Engagement
Abby, Tonya, Mackenzie, Peter and Cassie
On impact Vancouver day our group began with absolutely no ideas. After tonnes of brainstorming we decide to do something artistic with the people of inner city Vancouver. On our way to do that we ran into Rick- a man who knows the streets all to well. He opened up to us for about an hour and when we asked him what we should do to impact Vancouver he told us to do what we were already doing; talking to people. Without an agenda we therefore decided to be open to conversation as our way to impact Vancouver. This involved an impromptu tour through the First United Church- a mission, and some incredible time talking and playing games with people in the Carnegie Community Center. It was an incredible day the deeply impacted each member of our group.
On impact Vancouver day our group began with absolutely no ideas. After tonnes of brainstorming we decide to do something artistic with the people of inner city Vancouver. On our way to do that we ran into Rick- a man who knows the streets all to well. He opened up to us for about an hour and when we asked him what we should do to impact Vancouver he told us to do what we were already doing; talking to people. Without an agenda we therefore decided to be open to conversation as our way to impact Vancouver. This involved an impromptu tour through the First United Church- a mission, and some incredible time talking and playing games with people in the Carnegie Community Center. It was an incredible day the deeply impacted each member of our group.
A Different Perspective on the 2010 Olympic Games
Lindsay, Janelle, Jenna, Jason and Amber
During our stay in Vancouver we were given the opportunity to do something that may ‘impact’ the city. As a group we decided it would be beneficial to have conversations with people of the East Hastings area and perhaps gain some understanding of their city and what it is to them. With the 2010 Olympic games coming up we wanted to know how that would affect Vancouver’s homeless population, which was obviously present. We wanted to give the homeless a voice as they rarely get a chance to be heard. We decided to create a ‘wordwall’, it consisted of Bristol boards and whatever suggestions, comments, concerns… basically anything the people of the streets wanted people to know about the area. We met a lot of people who were genuinely concerned for their city and what will happen in the future. We plan on taking their hand written words and sending them to the city’s MP.
During our stay in Vancouver we were given the opportunity to do something that may ‘impact’ the city. As a group we decided it would be beneficial to have conversations with people of the East Hastings area and perhaps gain some understanding of their city and what it is to them. With the 2010 Olympic games coming up we wanted to know how that would affect Vancouver’s homeless population, which was obviously present. We wanted to give the homeless a voice as they rarely get a chance to be heard. We decided to create a ‘wordwall’, it consisted of Bristol boards and whatever suggestions, comments, concerns… basically anything the people of the streets wanted people to know about the area. We met a lot of people who were genuinely concerned for their city and what will happen in the future. We plan on taking their hand written words and sending them to the city’s MP.
Sharing the Little Things
Kirsten, Melissa, Ricky, John and Kathryn
For impact Vancouver we thought it would be beneficial to handout umbrellas because we thought they would need to be dry because it was raining. We ended up finding blankets and umbrellas and they were quickly received by the people on East Hastings. One man we met on the streets was really encouraged through us and it was his first time jumping in on a prayer. Later on we met a man named Garfield and he really helped us have an inside view of the realities that come with living on the streets of Vancouver. He shared that toques and socks were in great need so we bought some and handed them out and Garfield also showed us how other people are impacting Vancouver. He gave us a tour of the First United Church and how they’re reaching out to the community. Garfield’s favourite part was telling us how one woman washes homeless peoples feet. He thought that was the coolest thing ever. Garfield really helped us understand better the realities of downtown Vancouver.
For impact Vancouver we thought it would be beneficial to handout umbrellas because we thought they would need to be dry because it was raining. We ended up finding blankets and umbrellas and they were quickly received by the people on East Hastings. One man we met on the streets was really encouraged through us and it was his first time jumping in on a prayer. Later on we met a man named Garfield and he really helped us have an inside view of the realities that come with living on the streets of Vancouver. He shared that toques and socks were in great need so we bought some and handed them out and Garfield also showed us how other people are impacting Vancouver. He gave us a tour of the First United Church and how they’re reaching out to the community. Garfield’s favourite part was telling us how one woman washes homeless peoples feet. He thought that was the coolest thing ever. Garfield really helped us understand better the realities of downtown Vancouver.
Fellowship through Games
Kristen, Scott, Chelsea, Erin and Josh
After careful consideration our group decided to fellowship with the people of the streets by playing board games (snakes and ladders was a hit) and distributing socks. During our interaction, we also shared in meaningful conversation bringing a smile to their faces.
After careful consideration our group decided to fellowship with the people of the streets by playing board games (snakes and ladders was a hit) and distributing socks. During our interaction, we also shared in meaningful conversation bringing a smile to their faces.
Prayer Walk Reflection
By: Lindsay England
One of our nights in Vancouver our group had the opportunity to head out to the streets at night and just talk with the prostitutes. This was not to be a time of evangelizing but rather to interact and try to comprehend and understand better why so many women sell themselves. I got the privilege to be in a group with Laura, someone who had worked with the prostitutes in the area the previous year. As we were walking she would just explain to us what was going on with certain people and pointing out things that are so apparent but we never would have noticed them. We met up with this one lady who we talked to for a short time. We talked a little about the 2010 games and how that will affect the homeless in the area. We didn’t get much farther than that because she told us she was working and it was a slow night because it was pouring rain. She was so desperate for money that she will stand outside in the cold and rain to sell herself and gain a little extra cash. When we were talking with her, she seemed anxious the whole time, and kept trying to look behind and around us. Laura later explained that her pimp was standing and watching just a few feet away. At first I was not looking forward to doing this because it makes me incredibly uncomfortable but it turned out educational and was a really interesting experience.
One of our nights in Vancouver our group had the opportunity to head out to the streets at night and just talk with the prostitutes. This was not to be a time of evangelizing but rather to interact and try to comprehend and understand better why so many women sell themselves. I got the privilege to be in a group with Laura, someone who had worked with the prostitutes in the area the previous year. As we were walking she would just explain to us what was going on with certain people and pointing out things that are so apparent but we never would have noticed them. We met up with this one lady who we talked to for a short time. We talked a little about the 2010 games and how that will affect the homeless in the area. We didn’t get much farther than that because she told us she was working and it was a slow night because it was pouring rain. She was so desperate for money that she will stand outside in the cold and rain to sell herself and gain a little extra cash. When we were talking with her, she seemed anxious the whole time, and kept trying to look behind and around us. Laura later explained that her pimp was standing and watching just a few feet away. At first I was not looking forward to doing this because it makes me incredibly uncomfortable but it turned out educational and was a really interesting experience.
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